Western Knights were crowned Men’s State League Division One champions on the final day of the season after Albert Luwi’s late goal saw them defeat Joondalup United 1-0 and deny Mandurah City the title.
The result also means Knights are promoted to the NPLWA – Men’s competition and are back in the top flight for the first time since 2012.
Joondalup ended the regular season in fourth and now look ahead to a two-legged relegation/promotion semi-final against the NPL side Sorrento FC in their bid to go up.
Adam Kostrencic’s Knights knew maximum points would guarantee the title would be lifted at Nash Field regardless of what happened in Mandurah's home game with Dianella White Eagles. But with the Dolphins cruising to victory and time running out, it seemed Knights would finish on the podium for a fifth straight year.
That was until Luwi forced the ball over the line with three minutes remaining to send the Knights crowd into raptures as they celebrated a first piece of silverware since the 2017 State Cup.
The result means Mandurah will have to go through the play-offs if they want to join Knights back in the top tier of WA football. On Saturday they eased to a 4-0 win over Dianella who finished fifth and missed the play-offs.
LMandurah went in front after Leigh Griffiths’ peach of a cross was met at the back post by Murray Mackintosh, before an emphatic Griffiths penalty and Hamish Van Dieken’s individual effort made it 3-0 at the interval.
Griffiths capped the win late on when pinching the ball off a Dianella defender to slot in. But with Luwi landing a decisive blow for Knights, it means Mandurah must go up via the play-offs.
They will start with a two-legged semi-final against Fremantle City. Matty Sparrow’s side ended their regular season in third courtesy of a 2-1 win at Rockingham City.
It was goalless at half-time but Dylan Urquhart’s red card for a last-man foul had the home side a player down. Anthony O’Donnell punished Rockingham further, spectacularly scoring from the free-kick to put Freo in front, only for Rockingham to swiftly level when Ruben Joseph charged down Jordan Barbas’ clearance to net for a fifth straight game.
O’Donnell’s second goal of the game won it midway through the second half, the Freo man slipping as he shot which meant his strike looped into the top corner. Fremantle will now focus on the play-offs while Rockingham end the year ninth.
Elsewhere, there was a dramatic finale at the bottom with two teams still fighting to avoid the one relegation play-off spot. Subi started the day above the dotted line but lost 4-3 to Gosnells City at Rosalie Park after leading 3-0 at half-time.
Marc Wingell’s team were up in the third minute thanks to Gavin Knight’s early header, and they doubled their lead when youngster Kaleb Morrison prodded home from close range.
Morrison seemingly had Subiaco in cruise control with his fourth goal in two games coming in first-half stoppage time, and at that point they were comfortably safe knowing a win was enough.
But Blake Pritchard’s sweet first-time finish gave Gosnells a footing in the game and the winger scored again when heading in Jack Kiama’s cross.
It was 3-3 when Scott Pereira went solo from midfield to run in and poke past Conor Hogan and there was a final twist at the end when Kiama’s shot crashed off the post to Pritchard who put in to complete a hat-trick and a stunning comeback.
Gosnells can be pleased with their first season back in the second tier as three wins in their final four games saw them achieve safety, while Subi now face a two-legged semi-final with Division Two outfit Swan United.
It meant UWA Nedlands ultimately needed a point to stay up and they went a step further with a 3-2 over Murdoch University Melville.
Feisal Zaw gave Murdoch an early lead, but Luke Salas’ penalty had it all square after 10 minutes. William Higginson’s excellent header had the home side in front and Salas made it 3-1 before the break to have UWA in control. Christos Vaenas’ lob pulled one back late on but UWA's win, coupled with Subiaco's collapse, proved enough.
Finally, mid-table Gwelup Croatia ended the season on a high with a 2-1 win over already-relegated Forrestfield United.
Shane Hulgraine volleyed in Jacob Williamson’s cross after 90 seconds at the Croatian Sporting Complex and assister turned scorer when Williamson arrived from midfield to net his 12th of the season inside 12 minutes.
Forrestfield got one back before half-time through Moses Macauley, but no equaliser was forthcoming in a season to forget for United who collected one league win all year.
NPL/Division One promotion/relegation play-off semi-finals (two legs)
Joondalup United v Sorrento FC
Fremantle City v Mandurah City
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In Division Two, champions Kingsley Westside celebrated promotion in style with a 4-1 win over Carramar Shamrock Rovers at Chichester Park.
Alex Connolly had put Rovers one up but Luke Salmon equalised soon after to make it 17 goals for the season which was enough to see him win the league’s Golden Boot award.
Second half goals from Jon Hulme, Alex Morgan and Daniel Harrison ensured Kingsley finished seven points clear of the rest, while Rovers missed the play-offs in fifth.
Maddington-Kalamunda White City finished second after a 2-1 win away at Curtin University, and the pair will do it again twice when they meet in the inter-divisional playoff semi-final in a fortnight.
Daniel Davey’s 17th minute goal put Curtin ahead, but Maiki Balbinot and Jose Zuniga netted as Maddington came from behind to win and end the season unbeaten in eight.
Swan finished fourth and now meet Division One Subiaco in the play-offs despite falling to a 4-3 final-day defeat at home to Wanneroo City.
Dion Berman and John Monterosso scored a first-half brace each to make it 2-2 at the interval, before Ben Wantee put Roos in front prior to the hour mark.
Rhys Loxley’s penalty tied it up to give him 15 goals for the season but a late own goal from Chris Marshall ensured a top-half finish for Wanneroo.
At the bottom of the league, 11th-placed Canning City drew 0-0 away at Quinns which meant Balga needed something from their game at Ashfield to be safe.
They went on to draw 1-1, which meant Gerhard Janssen’s side survive on goal difference while Canning will potentially play in a relegation play-off depending on the outcome of the Belt Up Amateur Premier Division season.
Morley Windmills ended the season bottom of the league after forfeiting their fixture with Joondalup City who were already safe going into the weekend. Morley will also learn their fate regarding relegation once the Amateur Premier Division campaign is over.
Division One/Division Two promotion/relegation play-off semi-finals (two legs)
Swan United v Subiaco
Curtin University v Maddington-Kalamunda White City