After a goalless 90 minutes, the final was decided by a penalty shoot-out with the Melbourne keeper making the crucial save from Wellington Phoenix defender Karl Dodd in sudden death - Victory triumphing 8-7.

Theoklitos had kept his team in the match during normal time with terrific saves to thwart both Richard Johnson and Shane Smeltz.

The win ensured that Victory became the first club in A-League history to have lifted all three competition trophies on offer (Pre-Season Cup, Premier’s Plate and Champions).

Merrick revealed that the players had prepared for the penalty scenario and that he had felt confident that Theoklitos would prove the difference.

He said: “Michael (Theoklitos) has a great record in penalty shoot-outs. He was outstanding.

“We had practised penalties and it was great to see the boys so calm under pressure.”

Merrick also disclosed that the players had earlier set themselves the challenge of lifting the Pre-Season Cup, not the coach himself.

Indeed Merrick joked that he had made the challenge tough for his team with certain players missing games and key players being taken off during matches.
“I made it hard for them,” he said.

The coach felt the fact his goalkeeper and two central defenders were the best performers suggested that they hadn’t played their best football but Merrick was left to reflect on a very satisfactory pre-season campaign.

He said: “Winning any cup is terrific. That’s three clean sheets in a row and our fourth away game in a row.”

Merrick was impressed with the contributions of new boys Michael Thwaite and Jose Luiz Lopez and hailed the club’s off season recruiting. He said: “Gary Cole has done a great job with the signings this year.”

The coach is now looking forward to the serious business of winning A-League points and said: “This was the perfect lead up to the Sydney game.”