A hat-trick from in-form striker Jack Gibson helped ANU FC to a swashbuckling 5-0 thrashing of Canberra Juventus on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Riverside Stadium, the forward’s treble capping a truly excellent performance from the University outfit.
The match proved a step too far for a gallant Juventus side who had shown in the lead-up to the Final that they had the quality necessary by defeating the League Champions Belconnen United twice on their way to reaching the Grand Final showdown but were unable to replicate that on the big day.
It took ANU FC just four minutes to take the lead, Jacob Hart seeing his shot saved by the legs of Ari Roufogalis, only for Ehan Krug to follow up and slam the rebound into the back of the net.
That set the tone and with Leo Hadley, Hart, and Julian Korbatits in such good tandem, chances started to flow and it was little surprise when ANU FC doubled their lead. A through ball sent Gibson through on goal and the speedy frontman, who had bagged seventeen in CPL first grade, calmly rounded Roufogalis to net.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, Juventus came out with the bit between the teeth, but the crucial third goal was to go the way of Juventus on the hour mark. Hart had already hit a tame shot from the left channel at Roufogalis before turning provider, sending in Gibson into the same spot, his finish unerring across the ‘keeper and into the corner.
More was to follow. Player of the Match Gibson added his third, completing a Grand Final treble by bulldozing his way between a pair of Juventus defenders before sending a shot into the net off the base of the post.
Roufogalis then made a brace of sensational saves to keep the scoreline down but was undone by substitute Benjamin Ward who hit a shot goalwards that decided the goalkeeper, trickling under him and into the goal for ANU’s fifth. The manner might have been harsh, and the scoreline not a true reflection of Juventus as a team, but there can be no denying that ANU were worthy, and comprehensive, winners.
RESULT
Sunday 22 September
GRAND FINAL
ANU FC 5 (Krug 4’, Gibson 24’, 60’, 76’, Ward 83’) Canberra Juventus 0
ANU FC: 41. Cameron REEVES, 9. Ethan KRUG, 11. Jacob HART (33. Parsa TABATABAEI 78’), 14. Leo HADLEY, 15. Julian KORBATITS, 16. Tom HUIZENGA, 17. Jack GIBSON, 22. Max RAWLINSON (32. Andrew AITCHISON 78’), 29. Louis RYAN (27. Stanley LI 64’), 31. Ethan TUDEHOPE (8. Ben WARD 80’), 38. Cameron ROXBURGH
Substitutes not used: 1. Will RUMSBY
Canberra Juventus: 20. Ari ROUFOGALIS, 5. Nicholas CACHIA (37. Eliseo CASTRO 69’), 7. Bryn PIIROINEN, 11. Angus MURRAY, 14. Mykah MOLANDE (15. Marcus GIORGI 61’), 19. Dylan BARRETO, 24. Joshua KELLY, 26. Enrique BASILEO (28. Ben REARDON, 61’, 39. Jackson WHITE-BRETTELL 75’), 32. James STODDART (18. Alex TAURASI 69’), 34. Emmanuel PAPANICOLAOU, 38. Jasper MILIN
DISCIPLINE
Yellow Cards: 17. Jack GIBSON, 32. Andrew AITCHISON, C. Matthew SHEPLEY (ANU FC)
Red Cards: C. Niall STODDART (Canberra Juventus)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Darren GLEDHILL
Assistant Referees: Ricardo ALBERTO, Kjire RAJCHINOSKI
Fourth Official: Kornilus MAYNARD
Player of the Match: 17. Jack GIBSON (ANU FC)
