On Saturday night, Heidelberg United and Newcastle Jets will battle it out to become Australia Cup winners for the first time, in what promises to be an exhilarating match at Lakeside Stadium.
Ahead of the special occasion, we’ll examine the stats that got these two sides to Grand Final, and what made these Heidelberg and Newcastle so special in the 2025 edition of this famous tournament.
Heidelberg qualified for the Final in extraordinary fashion, becoming the first side to record three successive Cupsets against A-League Men’s sides.
Astonishingly, in the games against Western Sydney Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix, and Auckland FC, Heidelberg didn’t concede a single goal.
The NPL Victoria Champions are the only team in the Hahn Australia Cup yet to concede, and have now kept four clean sheets - double that of the next best defensive side.
At the heart of this extraordinary defensive effort has been goalkeeper Yaren Sozer, who has made the most saves in the competition (19), with 13 of those saves coming off shots from inside the box.
Meanwhile, ahead of Heidelberg’s star goalkeeper, Ryan Lethlean has emerged as a defensive star, blocking the joint-most shots of any player in the Cup (4) and making the joint-second most clearances (29), with only teammate Benjamin Collins producing more (34).
Midfielder Anthony Lesiotis has been key in stopping attacks higher up the field, making the second-most tackles of any player in the competition (16) and winning the second-most duels (28).
Heidelberg will be backing themselves to hold their opposition scoreless once again on Saturday night and experience a triumphant end to their storied campaign, but Newcastle Jets have shown a consistent ability to find the back of the net, only scoring less than three goals once in their four 2025 Australia Cup games so far.
They’ve scored the second-most goals in the competition (14), and, interestingly, more than half (8) have come via a player's left foot.
The Jets have also had nine different goal scorers in the Cup - more than any other team - showing their ability to produce a moment of magic throughout their squad.
No player has created more big chances in the Hahn Australia Cup than Jets’ Alex Badolato (4), while Max Burgess’ three assists are the second-most in the league.
Meanwhile, Kota Mizunuma has been a constant threat for Newcastle in the tournament, making the most key passes (16), as well as being their top goalscorer with three goals.
In addition, fullback Daniel Wilmering has emerged as an exciting attacking weapon, and he’s the only player to have scored more than one goal from outside the box, after netting a brilliant brace in a Newcastle derby against Cooks Hill United in the Round of 16.
The Jets have also demonstrated their solidity defensively, with young defender Max Cooper emerging as particularly impressive.
As well as making the most accurate passes of any player in the competition (282), Cooper has also blocked the joint-most shots (4) and made the joint-second-most clearances (29), helping his side to keep two clean sheets from their four games so far.
But Cooper and his teammates will have difficulty keeping their opponents at bay this weekend; while Heidelberg's defensive record has been perfect, they’ve also been potent in attack, netting the third-most goals in the competition (11), with an astonishing nine coming against A-League Men’s sides.
And, while being clinical, the NPL Victoria certainly hasn’t been lucky, having hit the woodwork more than any other team in the competition (3 times).
With both sides looking to win the Hahn Australia Cup for the first time, history will be made on Saturday night, no matter the outcome.
Heidelberg will have plenty of motivation, looking to become the first non-A-League Men’s side to win the new edition of the tournament and add to a NPL Men’s Victoria Championship to cap off a stellar campaign in a remarkable fashion.
Meanwhile, the Jets will be looking for their first major trophy since 2008, in what would be a significant moment for a club that has been starved of success in recent years.
With Heidelberg having firmly proved themselves against A-League Men's opposition, and the Jets impressing throughout the tournament, this match looks set to be a thrilling occasion in front of a packed Lakeside Stadium on Saturday night.
Match Details
Heidelberg United v Newcastle Jets
Saturday, 4 October
Kick-off: 7:40pm AEST
Lakeside Stadium
Watch Live on 10, Paramount+, 10.com.au
GET TICKETS HERE
