The 2001–02 National Soccer League season, was the 26th season of the National Soccer League in Australia. Prior to the start of the season, Canberra Cosmos and Eastern Pride were removed from the competition, reducing the league to 13 teams. The league premiership was won by Perth Glory and the championship won by Olympic Sharks.
Regular season
League table
Finals series Bracket
Elimination Final 1
Leg Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Date 1 South Melbourne 2–0 Brisbane Strikers Bob Jane Stadium 8,450 14 April 2002 2 Brisbane Strikers 1–2 South Melbourne Ballymore 5,391 21 April 2002
Elimination Final 2
Leg Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Date 1 Melbourne Knights 0–0 Olympic Sharks Knights Stadium 3,421 14 April 2002 2 Olympic Sharks 6–2 Melbourne Knights Toyota Park 5,850 21 April 2002
Major semi Final
Leg Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Date 1 Perth Glory 4–1 Newcastle United Subiaco Oval 31,963 20 April 2002 2 Newcastle United 2–0 Perth Glory Energy Australia Stadium 17,503 26 April 2002
Minor semi Final
Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Date Olympic Sharks 2–1 South Melbourne Marconi Stadium 6,341 28 April 2002
Preliminary Final
Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Date Newcastle United 0–1 Olympic Sharks Energy Australia Stadium 17,708 5 May 2002
Grand Final
GK 1 Jason PetkovicMF 2 Matt HorsleyDF 3 Jamie HarnwellMF 7 Scott MillerFW 10 Bobby Despotovski (c) MF 12 Bradley Hassell MF 15 Edgar AldrighiFW 16 Damian MoriMF 17 Gary Faria DF 18 Shane PryceDF 23 David TarkaSubstitutes:GK 30 Vince MatassaDF 5 Craig DeansDF 6 Gareth NavenFW 9 Alistair Edwards FW 26 Nik Mrdja Manager: Mich d'Avray Joe Marston Medal: Ante Milicic (Olympic Sharks)
GK 1 Clint BoltonDF 4 Paul Kohler MF 6 Wayne Srhoj DF 7 Lindsay WilsonMF 8 Tom PondeljakMF 11 Jade North MF 14 Greg Owens FW 16 Jeromy Harris FW 19 Ante MilicicDF 23 Andrew PackerDF 28 Ante Juric (c)Substitutes:GK 30 Brett HughesDF 2 Stephen Laybutt FW 9 Dylan Macallister FW 12 Elias Augerinos MF 27 Hiroyuki Ishida Manager: Gary Phillips
Assistant referees: Fourth official:Match rules
90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Individual awards
Player of the Year: Fernando Rech (Brisbane Strikers) U-21 Player of the Year: Joseph Schirripa (Newcastle United) Top Scorer(s): Damian Mori (Perth Glory – 17 goals) Coach of the Year: Ian Crook (Newcastle United)
References
OzFootball Archives - 2001–02 NSL Season