In a tight opening half with few chances from either side, Northcote’s Glen Trifiro broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, capitalising on a pinpoint pass from Trent Rixon.

Northcote doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Nicholas Curtis was played through by Kristian Konstandinitis. The Knights had pushed players forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back that were eventually exploited by Northcote.

The Football Federation Victoria run competition is the biggest cup of its kind in Australia, with over 180 teams entering the statewide knockout tournament in 2011.

Glen Trifiro was awarded the Billy Vojtek Medal as the man of the match, and said that the win was testament to the hard work the team have put in all year.

“It was about going out there and keeping consistent with my performances this year. My teammates helped me out, and it helps a lot to have my brother (Jason) next to me,” he said.

“When the coach gives you freedom, you go out there and enjoy yourself, and you reap the rewards.

“It also helps to play on a great pitch like AAMI Stadium, and (FFV and Mirabella Lighting) have done really well to get this pitch for us to play the final on.”

Melbourne Knights captain Josip Kozic was disappointed by his side’s performance.

 “I think it came down to a lack of fitness. We haven’t played for the last four weeks, and that has to be the biggest factor,” he said.

“Still, there are no excuses and congratulations to Northcote.”

Northcote City coach Peter Tsolakis was delighted to have been a part of the clubs first major piece of silverware in 51 years.

“Nothing compares to winning something like this, which almost every team in Victoria participates in,” he said.

“I think (the Mirabella Cup) is fantastic. As a player I won 3 Dockerty Cups, so now winning as a coach is fantastic as well.”

In the curtain raiser to the Mirabella Cup Final, Cobram Victory played Ballarat Red Devils for the Mirabella Regional Challenge Trophy as the two most successful regional teams in the Mirabella Cup.

In an entertaining and evenly contested match, Cobram were able to secure a 2-1 victory.

They got off to a dream start, scoring in the first minute when Cam Miles flicked on a Matt Grey free-kick. Paul McClounan equalised for the Red Devils in the 28th minute, before Craig Carley scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 35th minute.

Both clubs had excellent runs in the Mirabella Cup, making it to the final 12 teams in the competition before being narrowly knocked out by Victorian Premier League opposition.

Football Federation Victoria CEO Mark Rendell extended his congratulations to all four teams who took to AAMI Park on Saturday, saying that they had all played superbly throughout the tournament.

“Fans were treated to two top quality games of football, and I’m sure playing on AAMI Park will be an experience that each and every player will never forget,” he said.

“Ballarat Red Devils and Cobram Victory truly exemplify the fact that regional Victoria not only produces a few talented players here and there, but entire teams capable of competing at a high level."