Football Australia is pleased to advise that Adam Kersey has been selected to referee the Hahn Australia Cup Final 2025 at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne on Saturday, 4 October.
Kersey (Football Queensland) will be assisted by Emma Kocbek (Football NSW) and Paula Orlandi (Football South Australia), with Lachlan Keevers (Football Victoria) and Hugh Fenton-White (Football NSW) selected as the Fourth Official and Fifth Official respectively, with the group to officiate the Hahn Australia Cup Final 2025 featuring Heidelberg United FC and Newcastle Jets FC.
A FIFA referee since 2022 and an AFC Elite Referee since 2023, Kersey is no stranger to the Hahn Australia Cup Final, having served as an Additional Assistant Referee in the 2019 decider. He has also officiated on some of the game’s biggest stages, acting as Fourth Official in the 2023 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final before taking charge as the lead referee in the 2024/25 Grand Final.
Making the occasion even more special for Kersey, the Hahn Australia Cup Final 2025 will be his first and final time performing the central referee role at a Hahn Australia Cup Final.
As introduced by the Football Australia Referees Committee when the then named FFA Cup was created, each match official can only be appointed to each officiating role at the Hahn Australia Cup Final once. This was to establish a tradition of prestige with being appointed to a Hahn Australia Cup Final once in the match official’s career.
Kocbek and Orlandi will make history as the first female assistant referees appointed to a Hahn Australia Cup Final. Kocbek is no stranger to trailblazing, having been the first on-field female match official in an Izuzu UTE A-League Grand Final when she was an assistant referee in the 2025 decider.
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock:
“I would like to congratulate Adam, Emma, Paula, Lachlan, and Hugh on their appointment to this year’s Hahn Australia Cup Final.
“Officiating knockout football at the highest level requires composure, consistency, and professionalism, and their selection reflects the outstanding standard they have set throughout the tournament.
“We can’t wait to see the Final unfold at Lakeside Stadium and celebrate another memorable chapter in the Hahn Australia Cup story.”
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss:
"Officiating a major cup final is one of the highest honours in a referee's career. I was fortunate enough to referee the FA Cup Final myself, and I know firsthand what a privilege—and a responsibility—it is.
“You only get the chance to do it once, which makes it all the more special.
“Congratulations to each of the officials selected for the Hahn Australia Cup Final. Your hard work, consistency, and professionalism have earned you this moment. I hope they enjoy every second of it—they’ve truly earned it."
It’s only the second time in the modern era of the Hahn Australia Cup that a Member Federation club has reached the Final, with Heidelberg’s fairytale run capturing the imagination of football fans across the country. The semi-professional side has done it the hard way, toppling three Isuzu UTE A-League opponents without conceding a single goal, and now stands just one step away from writing the ultimate Cup story.
Standing in their way are Newcastle Jets FC, who will contest their first-ever Hahn Australia Cup Final. With passionate support behind them, the Jets will be eager to seize this historic opportunity and brin” silverware back to the Hunter region.
Both clubs will be contesting their first ever Hahn Australia Cup Final with Newcastle making their first-ever appearance in a national cup final. For Heidelberg, it will be their first appearance in a national cup final since 1994, when they lost 6-0 to Melbourne Knights FC in the NSL Cup Final.
Ticket prices start at just $9 for Juniors, $13 for Concession, $18 for Adults, and $48 for Families. Fans are encouraged to get in early to secure the best seats for the blockbuster final. Tickets are available via Ticketek HERE.
Hahn Australia Cup Final 2025 Details
Heidelberg United FC vs Newcastle Jets FC
Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025
Venue: Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7.40pm AEST
