Malone the Hero as Hakoah Complete Extra-Time Comeback Classic

Eastern Suburbs Hakoah completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Dural Warriors 4–3 after extra time in a thrilling Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday night.

In a contest where neither side deserved to lose, the Warriors produced a spirited and disciplined performance but were ultimately denied as Hakoah secured consecutive titles courtesy of Madeleine Malone’s decisive strike in the opening minute of extra time.

Dural Warriors made the brighter start and were rewarded seven minutes in when Marlee Deane found the top corner with a superb finish to open the scoring. The Warriors continued to press, with Rachel Perrins twice striking the posts after a brilliant Despina Vasiliadis pass carved open the Hakoah defence. Vasiliadis herself then had an effort smothered as Dural asserted control.

Hakoah struggled to find rhythm in possession as halftime approached, while Deane tested the defence again in the 17th minute, only to be denied. Dural went into the break good value for their 1–0 lead.

Any doubts about whether the Warriors could maintain their intensity after halftime were quickly eased. Emma Hurley forced Brianna Clarke into a sharp one-on-one save early in the second half, before Hakoah responded through Tea Mucenski, whose effort was kept out low by Sarah Easthope as both sides began trading chances.

Hakoah found their equaliser in the 25th minute. Inspirational captain Aurelia Collins combined with Ella Gattorna before delicately lifting the ball over Easthope, igniting celebrations on the Hakoah bench.

The response from Dural was immediate. Two minutes later, a flowing team move saw Emma Hurley play a perfectly weighted pass for Kayla Osborn, who arrived on cue to apply a first-time finish and restore the Warriors’ lead at 2–1.

The match swung end to end from there. Hakoah’s Olivia Mitchell was denied by a crucial Vasiliadis intervention, while Hurley struck the outside of the post at the other end. With six and a half minutes remaining, Hakoah turned to a five-outfield-player setup as Dural conceded their fifth foul of the half.

Dural appeared to seize control when a cheap turnover allowed veteran Rachel Perrins to slide the ball into an open net, extending the lead to 3–1. However, the momentum shifted dramatically moments later. Hakoah were awarded a ten-metre penalty, and after Easthope saved Tea Mucenski’s initial effort, Gisella Pipino reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.

The comeback was complete with three minutes remaining. Pipino once again pounced on a rebound from an Easthope save to level the scores at 3–3, capping an enthralling second half that ended with the sides inseparable.

Hakoah struck decisively in the first minute of extra time. Tea Mucenski delivered a superb ball across the face of goal, where Madeleine Malone arrived to finish emphatically into the top corner and give Hakoah the lead for the first time in the match.

Dural pushed desperately for an equaliser. Charlotte Bradshaw went agonisingly close at the back post, while Clarke produced a vital save to deny Perrins late on. Osborn also had a golden one-on-one opportunity saved low by Clarke, and Pipino saw a ten-metre penalty stopped at the other end as Hakoah held firm.

The final whistle confirmed a dramatic 4–3 extra-time victory for Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, securing their second straight Futsal Premier League Open Women’s title in unforgettable fashion.

Match Details
Saturday 20 December 2025
Valentine Sports Park

Eastern Suburbs Hakoah 4
(Collins 26’, Pipino 36’, 37’, Malone 41’)

Dural Warriors 3
(Deane 5’, Osborn 28’, Perrins 35’)

Dural Warriors:
Sarah Easthope, Rachel Perrins, Kayla Osborn, Tess Olsen, Emma Hurley, Despina Vasiliadis, Charlotte-Paige Jonsson, Alexis Mallia, Samantha Wilkinson, Marlee Deane, Alethea Levy, Charlotte Bradshaw, Claudia Boys
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Eastern Suburbs Hakoah:
Brianna Clarke, Aurelia Collins, Tatiana Garifalakis, Madeleine Malone, Ella Gattorna, Antonia Sharp, Tea Mucenski, Gisella Pipino, Asha Sutton, Olivia D’Alessandro, Emily Cumming, Danielle Cannarella, Olivia Mitchell, Hannah Spannenberg
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

By Justin Smith