The 1997 National Soccer League Grand Final was held on 25 May 1997 between Brisbane Strikers and Sydney United at Lang Park. Brisbane gained home advantage because despite finishing below United on the league standings, they defeated the Sydney side in the major semi-final two weeks earlier. The teams were all locked up at half time, however two goals for the Strikers by Frank Farina and Rod Brown secured their first NSL championship. Alan Hunter won the Joe Marston Medal.
Route to the final
League Standings
Finals Bracket
Match
Details
GK 1 Clint BoltonDF 2 Glen Gwynne DF 3 Alan Hunter FW 5 Frank Farina MF 6 Sean CranneyFW 7 Rod BrownFW 9 Danny WrightMF 11 Troy CranneyMF 15 Chay Hews DF 16 Kasey WehrmanFW 17 Craig WilliamsSubstitutes:FW 8 Matt Bell FW 10 Reece Tollenaere MF 12 Jeremy Harris Manager: Frank FarinaJoe Marston Medal:Alan Hunter (Brisbane Strikers)
GK 1 Zeljko KalacDF 2 Rob Trajkovski DF 5 Velimir KupresakDF 7 Mark BabicMF 10 Richard PlesaMF 11 Kresimir MarusicMF 12 Ante MoricFW14 Ante Milicic MF 15 Aytec GencFW 17 David ZdrilicMF 23 Paul Bilokapic Substitutes:MF 3 Jason Culina DF 25 Mark Rudan Manager: Branko Culina
Assistant referees: Fourth official:Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
References