VPL Grand Final preview

10.10.2012

Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons Sunday 14 October at AAMI Park. Kick-off 5:30pm.



Dandenong Thunder will be aiming to win the first Victorian men’s treble in 31 years when they take on Oakleigh Cannons in the Victorian Premier League Grand Final at AAMI Park this Sunday, kicking-off at 5:30pm following the Hyundai A-League match between Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix.

Having already won the State Knockout Cup as well as the VPL League Title, Dandenong are only 90 minutes away from making history when they take on the Cannons.

With Oakleigh finishing second in the league before knocking off Dandenong in the Major Semi-Final to quality first for the Grand Final, there is no doubt that the two best teams in Victoria will be on the park.

Oakleigh too have a point to prove after narrowly missing out on a treble themselves last season, despite coming away empty-handed. Having lost the League Title on goal difference they also lost the Grand Final 3-2 in extra-time after going ahead before losing the State Knockout Cup Semi-Final 2-1, again after going ahead.

On their second consecutive appearance at AAMI Park, Oakleigh will be determined to leave with silverware.

The Grand Final itself looks on paper to be an even match as there has been nothing between the two teams in their three previous encounters. A Round Nine 1-1 draw was followed by a 0-0 result in Round Twenty before Oakleigh defeated Dandenong on penalties in the Semi-Final following a 1-1 score-line after extra time.

The only advantage any team seems to have is player availability, with Oakleigh having the luxury of a full squad to choose from while Thunder will be missing Mathew Theodore (injury), Craig Elvin (injury) and Andrew Mullett (suspension).

Discounted tickets to the match are available here and include entry to the Hyundai A-League match beforehand. Alternatively, the Grand Final will be available to watch as a free web stream on VPL Live TV.

VPL Grand Final
Oakleigh Cannons v Dandenong Thunder
Sunday 5:30pm AAMI Park

Final League Position:
Oakleigh Cannons: 2nd
Dandenong Thunder: 1st

Last Match:
Oakleigh Cannons: Dandenong Thunder 1-1 Oakliegh Cannons (4-5 on penalties)
Dandenong Thunder: Dandenong Thunder 4-1 Green Gully Cavaliers

VPL History:
Oakleigh Cannons win: 2
Dandenong Thunder win: 3
Draw: 4

Form:
Oakleigh Cannons: DLWWW
Dandenong Thunder: DWDLW

Reverse Fixtures:
Round Nine: Oakleigh Cannons 1-1 Dandenong Thunder
Round Twenty: Dandenong Thunder 0-0 Oakleigh Cannons
Major Semi-Final: Dandenong Thunder 1-1 Oakleigh Cannons (4-5 on penalties)


http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=17&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2012&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=10&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=857&cHash=77ca2487ff6639a77415c8b78b11db64

VPL, A-league hope to share fans

DateOctober 12, 2012
Michael Lynch

THE Victorian Premier League is trying a new tactic to build its crowds and convince fans who might follow the A-League that the VPL, regularly acclaimed as the best state competition in the country, has much to offer.

It will stage its grand final, between Dandenong Thunder and Oakleigh Cannons, at AAMI Park on Sunday from 5.30pm, less than an hour after the end of the Melbourne Heart-Wellington Phoenix A-League clash at the venue.

The VPL is optimistic A-League supporters will stay to watch its two best teams, while the Heart hopes that some of the dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists who follow the state leagues but have yet to be won over by the A-League might come early to check out their competition - and decide to become Heart fans.

Dandenong will be aiming to win the first Victorian men's treble in 31 years. The team from the south-east has already won the state knockout cup as well as the VPL league title, but will be in for a tough encounter against a team that finished second to them in the league before beating them in the major semi-final.

Advertisement Oakleigh feels the least it deserves this season is to win the grand final. The club lost the title on goal difference and was knocked out of the state cup at the semi-final stage.

There has been precious little between the two sides all season. The pair drew 0-0 and 1-1 when they met in the league, and drew the major semi 1-1 after extra time before Oakleigh became the first team into the grand final courtesy of a win in the penalty shoot-out.

Oakleigh will be at full strength, but Thunder will be without Mathew Theodore (injury), Craig Elvin (injury) and Andrew Mullett (suspension).



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/vpl-aleague-hope-to-share-fans-20121011-27fnl.html#ixzz2955Y7gEx

Oakleigh feels the least it deserves this season is to win the grand final. Last season The club lost the title on goal difference and this year was knocked out of the state cup at the semi-final stage.