Australian-Macedonian club Preston Lions today claimed the 2026 edition of the Dockerty Cup after defeating holder Heidelberg United.

photo by Football Victoria: Preston Lions celebrate with the trophy

Established in 1909, Dockerty Cup is the top cup competition for all the clubs based in the state of Victoria. This season a total of 220 club competed with Preston Lions becoming the champion.

In the grand final played today at the Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne, Heidelberg United took the lead through Nicholas Duarte in the 29th minute, but the Macedonians responded quickly and equalized through Zachary Cianci in the 34th minute and four minutes later Stefan Zinni brought a 2:1 lead.

In the 6th minute of the stoppage time of the second half Luca Tevere sealed the win.

This is the second Dockerty Cup trophy for the Lions after they claimed the 1992 edition.

Preston Lions lineup: Ryuan Scott; Domenic Folino, Jamal Ali, Ayden Brice, Stefan Zinni (59′ Lleyton Brooks), Oliver Kubilay, Zachary Cianci (71′ Gian Albano), Nauel Bonada (90’+1 George Mihailidis), Luca Tevere, Stefan Nigro, Cian Cuba (90’+1 Matthew Bozinovski). Coach: Zoran Markovski

To reach the final the Lions recorded these results:

Round 4:
Nunawading City – Preston Lions 0:4

Round 5:
Keilor Park – Preston Lions 2:3

Round 6:
Uni Hill Eagles – Preston Lions 0:2

Quarterfinals:
Preston Lions – Caroline Springs George Cross 6:0

Semifinals:
North Sunshine Eagles – Preston Lions 0:1