Sharks battling 61-year hoodoo

DateSeptember 1, 2012
Michael Lynch
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BACK in the days before the A-League, even before the old National Soccer League, there were the various Australian State Leagues and cup competitions.

Foremost among the latter was Victoria's Dockerty Cup, a knockout competition involving clubs from all levels in the state soccer pyramid.

It has been in abeyance since 1996 (save for a one-off return in 2004), but the concept is alive and well in Football Federation Victoria's State Knockout Cup, the final of which is contested tomorrow.

Port Melbourne Sharks are aiming to break a 61-year hoodoo by becoming the first second-tier side to win the state's premier knockout competition when they face Victorian Premier League minor premiers Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Not since Footscray just took the Dockerty Cup as a second-division state league team in 1951 has a side from outside the top shelf taken the trophy.

For its part the Thunder will look to post its first cup and league double.

Port has had plenty of experience against VPL sides, having knocked out South Melbourne and Green Gully in addition to Pascoe Vale, Sunshine George Cross and Yarraville. Dandenong has seen off Peninsula Strikers, Springvale White Eagles, Altona Magic, Cobram Victory and Heidelberg United.

The State Knockout Cup final will be preceded by the Regional Challenge Trophy at 2.30pm, which will be between the two best-performing regional clubs: Cobram Victory and Morwell Pegasus.

Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for concession and free for under-14s. Kick-off for the main game is 5pm at Lakeside.



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