Penalty drama, flares and double reds: NPL VIC Grand Finalists emerge from wild semi-finals

A missed stoppage-time penalty with flares burning beside the pitch and two red cards after tempers boiled over in the other semi-final - the NPL VIC Grand Finalists emerged from a dramatic weekend of finals football.

Premiers Oakleigh Cannons and Avondale FC surviving chaotic finishes to book their places in the 2026 decider.

Oakleigh were seconds away from a 2-1 victory over South Melbourne when the first semi-final took a remarkable turn at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night.

With flares having been thrown onto the pitch and the game deep into stoppage time, South’s Max Mikkola was awarded a contentious penalty after going down under a challenge from Oakleigh goalkeeper Thomas Manos.

The resulting spot-kick was delayed as the burning flares were dealt with, before Mikkola stepped up with the chance to force extra time.

His penalty was saved and Manos was subsequently booked following his reaction towards the referee before the full-time whistle confirmed Oakleigh’s place in the Grand Final.

It was an extraordinary conclusion to a contest Oakleigh had led through Campbell Strong’s 11th-minute volley. David Yoo equalised for South in the 29th minute before Cannons captain Joe Guest - fresh off starring for the Sixaroos at the Socca World Cup in Germany - restored the hosts’ advantage in the 63rd.

Less than 24 hours later, the second semi-final delivered another heated finish.

Avondale led Hume City 3-1 approaching the 90th minute when Birkan Kirdar collided heavily with Maxx Green while challenging for a high ball.

Avondale midfielder Yitay Towns reacted immediately, bringing Kirdar to ground as players from both sides converged on the incident.

Both Kirdar and Towns were shown straight red cards, leaving the teams to finish with 10 men and ruling Towns out of the Grand Final through suspension.

Before the flashpoint, Blake Carpenter had again been at the heart of Avondale’s best work.

The in-form attacker struck twice in six first-half minutes to put the visitors 2-0 ahead before Godfrey Debele pulled one back for Hume shortly before the interval.

Kristian Trajceski restored Avondale’s two-goal cushion with a spectacular late strike, although Aidan Coyne’s stoppage-time goal ensured there was one final scare before the visitors closed out a 3-2 victory.

Defeat also marked the end of an era for Hume, who farewelled retiring veteran Chris Oldfield and departing captain Josh Bingham after the final whistle.