The Hahn Australia Cup Final 2026 is an extra special occasion for Melbourne Victory's Harry Sawyer, who spent three seasons at South Melbourne across two different stints before his A-League Men's breakthrough with Macarthur FC.
He spoke about his fondness for his old club, and what he is expecting ahead of the big occasion.
Reaction to the draw
You try not to look too far ahead of the draw, but I think everyone does. When the draw came out, you fantasise about who could you get, who you could play against if you make it all the way. So, it was definitely in the back of my mind, and then as it grew closer - we were winning games in Sydney, and they were winning their games. It was a little bit in the back of my head waiting for that, and then I watched their game against Lions, and I wanted them to do well. I had a special time there. To know that we're facing them in Melbourne, in the Cup final, it's terrific. It's awesome.
Joining South Melbourne
I moved to Asia quite young. Moved overseas, playing over in Hong Kong, and I had just finished a season there - then the Hong Kong riots happened, just before COVID. South reached out, and I had a few people I knew at the club. I spoke to them, and they recommended me to join. So I came back to Australia at the end of the season, and then started my journey with with South Melbourne - moved to Melbourne for the first time, as a lot of Queenslanders do.
The first season I was there, it was struck by COVID, but then when we returned for a full season in 2022, was my first full season there. We finished Premiers, won a Golden Boot had a really successful year. We made it far in the Cup as well, and really enjoyed my time. So that was my first time there. Then I went back overseas, and then came back in 2024 and was privileged to be the captain of the club, and again had a lot of success. We were Premiers again, a deep Cup run, and won the Dockerty Cup, and got another Golden Boot. So, my time there has been awesome.
The pride of the club
It's a very proud club. You first walk in, and they've got the blue and white colours. They've got all their past players, Ange Postecoglou. They've got a lot of trophies in the in the room when you walk first walk in. So the first impression is that it's a historic and successful club. When I first walked in there, I thought I'm definitely making a good decision here, because every player wants to win, right?
You're standing on the shoulders of players and former coaches and who've made a name for themselves, who've done really well, and that's off the back of a passionate supporter group. All the fans there from back in the NSL days are very proud of the club. They will protect it with all their might. So that's what breeds that successful winning mindset for them.
The 2024 Cup run with South
At that point, I wanted to make a name for myself. I believe that I deserved to play in the A League, so to line up against an A League side gives you a bit of extra motivation, as it will have for South Melbourne now. So scoring a goal and winning that game [against the Wellington Phoenix] was was really special, and it set us up for a good Cup run as well.
The Cup shines a light on the NPL. So at that point, scoring against an A league side and then us having success in the Cup, people are watching, right? So, that played a big role - and then scoring again in the following games as well, that probably gave me my opportunity to enter the A League again.
Joining Melbourne Victory
I'm immensely proud. It's such a big club. When I was playing in Melbourne, it would have been my dream to play for the club. So now to come into the A League, scored some goals, and then have the privilege to to wear the number nine for Melbourne Victory - I'm absolutely buzzing. I can't wait for the season proper to start, and I've already had the taste in the Cup with some success so far. If we can go all the way, that'll be the dream start.
Looking ahead to the final
It'll be perfect at AAMI Park. The atmosphere, even if it's semi-full, is really good. So, to think it could be full with passionate Melbourne supporters, for both sides, with all the history - to be honest, I can't imagine. I can't put an imagination to it. It will be really special.
A one-off game can can always be dangerous, no matter who you are against, but then you put that in a mixing pot with such a massive supporter base, such a huge game with a lot of ramifications for the winner, being able to play in Asia and whatnot. You couldn't really add anything more to the fire to make it such a dangerous and exciting game. So we will have to be at our absolute best. They'll have to be at their absolute best, and when you put all that together, it will be a great game.
A special moment
I've actually thought about this. It will probably, for me personally, be the most special moment of my career. Obviously, I want to win, so that'll make it even more special if we do. But just to be in that atmosphere, playing against a club I enjoyed so much success with, and then a club I could barely dream of playing for, is going to be super special to me.
Match Details
Hahn Australia Cup Final 2026
South Melbourne FC v Melbourne Victory FC
Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Gates Open: 6:00pm AEDT
Kick-off: 7:35pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, allow extra travel time and enjoy what is set to be a huge night at AAMI Park.
