Overview

• Oscar Fryer put Newcastle ahead with a 96th-minute strike in extra time at Lakeside Stadium before Ben Gibson sealed a 3–1 result in front of about 10,000 fans.
• Heidelberg opened the scoring through Ryan Lethlean, with Max Burgess leveling for the Jets and later receiving the Mark Viduka Medal for player of the match.
• Key flashpoints included an early penalty shout for Mohamed Aidara that was waved away and late appeals denied, with red cards shown to Kosta Grozos and Johnny Apostolopoulos in extra time.
• The victory delivers Newcastle’s maiden Australia Cup and their first silverware since 2007–08 under coach Mark Milligan, along with a $50,000 prize purse and continental qualification.
• Heidelberg’s semi-professionals saw a remarkable run end after beating Western Sydney, Wellington and Auckland FC without conceding, a campaign that drew strong support from the club’s Greek-rooted community.