The inaugural winner of the Australian Championship is only days away from being crowned with one of two domestic powerhouses set to lift the trophy for the very first time.
Across the previous eight weeks, both South Melbourne and Marconi Stallions have shown genuine championship credentials, however, these players from each side stand out as potential needle-movers, capable of shaping history on the competition's grandest stage.
Here are our players to watch in this Saturday's Grand Final.
Marconi Stallions
Marko Jesic
The boy from Fairfield became Marconi’s man in 2015 after signing from Rockdale Illinden and has amassed more than 200 appearances for the club he now captains.
While the attacker is still searching for his first competition goal, Jesic’s attacking intuition, interplay and relentless off-the-ball work have sharpened Marconi’s edge in the final third while elevating those around him higher up the pitch.
With two assists in six matches, Jesic brings the experience, mentality and temperament required to rise to the occasion of a Grand Final on the road, as he aims to lift a national title for his beloved club.
Matej Busek
Busek has been the definition of clutch throughout Marconi’s finals campaign, acting as the club’s lone goalscorer in both the Quarter and Semi Finals.
Fans demanded to see him start after his late-game heroics in the Derby d’Italia against Wests APIA FC, where his off-the-bench impact opened the scoring.
His start against Moreton City Excelsior proved crucial, again breaking the deadlock with instinctive finishing inside the area.
The 21-year-old has now scored in back-to-back weeks, emerging as an under-the-radar talent finding his best football at the competition's pointy end.
Anton Mlinarić
A rising force at only 23, the 6'1" centre-back embodies the Australian Championship’s ability to showcase some of the country’s players with high potential, and Mlinarić is a brute capable of bullying opposition attackers on Saturday.
His resume includes a trial at Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 and A-League experience with Brisbane Roar.
After a strong NPL Victoria season with Oakleigh Cannons, he joined the Stallions in 2024 and has become an important pillar of their backline.
Physical, intimidating, and mentally sharp, Mlinarić thrives on winning duels and getting inside his opponents' heads.
If Marconi are to board their flight back to Sydney with some extra luggage, Mlinaric’s performance will be a main reason why.
South Melbourne
Sebastian Pasquali
The central midfielder has rejuvenated South’s engine room to its best.
Pasquali has called Lakeside home after six years with A-League expansion club Western United - and has fitted seamlessly into the Hellas lockeroom.
His decision-making, distribution, and stamina form the perfect combination for building South’s rhythm and control.
A vital cog, he is expected to be influential again if South are to be crowned champions.
Manny Aguek
How could a list like this possibly leave out Manny Aguek?
Few players have taken the Australian Championship by storm like Aguek has since the attacker announced himself to the Hellas faithful in Round 2, having scored from a couple of yards inside his own half.
Since that wonder strike, Aguek has carried the aura of a breakout star every time he’s stepped onto the park.
Last week, he scored with his first touch against fierce rivals Heidelberg United in the Semi Final.
The X-factor. The must-see man. The dazzling attacking weapon Sinisha Cohazdic has deployed in the biggest moments.
Aguek could easily steal headlines again as the player to bring South Melbourne clarity in the final third.
Marco Jankovic
Another entrée, another captain.
The resurgence of Marco Jankovic reflects the resurgence of South Melbourne as an on-the-park powerhouse in 2025.
Since arriving in 2021, the Queenslander has ridden every high and low with the club, surpassing 100 appearances for Hellas and not missing a single match of this Championship campaign.
His ball-winning, leadership, and defensive authority mark him as one of the competition’s premier defenders, and the ability to contain the threats of Jesic and Busek will be central to South’s hopes.