2025 NPL SA Grand Final: MetroStars and Croydon FC vie for a return to the Championship throne

The 2025 NPL SA Grand Final will see MetroStars take on Croydon FC at ServiceFM Stadium, with both sides eager to end their respective Championship droughts.

Croydon's Luke Klimek and MetroStars' Jackson Walls shake hands before their teams faced off in Round 21 of the 2025 NPL SA season. (Image: Pagonis Photography)

The Finals Series format can be a contentious topic. But for better or worse, they are the reality of Australian sports. As the marathon turns into a sprint, the goalposts change, and so do the attitudes of the teams involved.

No team has had to deal with that reality more recently than the MetroStars. Ever since Danny Graystone arrived at Klemzig in 2023, his side has finished the regular season as premiers. But they have failed to take out the championship silverware in their two attempts.

In 2025, MetroStars have been on a warpath. First, they claimed the Federation Cup after a surprisingly early exit in 2024, before claiming the NPL SA Premiership by a comfortable 13 points a month before the regular season's conclusion.

This continued success has been ensured by adding quality players such as Tom Visser, Owen Windsor, Lachlan Barr, Arbi Mollas, and Jake Porter to an already accomplished core, creating undoubtedly the deepest team in the local South Australian leagues.

First place allowed MetroStars the first week off in the Finals Series, before taking on Adelaide United in a two-legged Semi-Final. Despite some nervy moments, the premiers held their cool. They took their chances when it mattered to return to a second consecutive Grand Final.

While most punters would have predicted a mouthwatering clash between MetroStars and second-placed Adelaide City, the Northeastern locals face a different adversary in their quest to claim their first championship since 2012.

MetroStars are looking to add to their Federation Cup and Premiership crowns with a Championship in 2025. (Image: Pagonis Photography)

Croydon FC have been one of the surprises of the 2025 season. After hiring George Tsonis, who parted ways with the Adelaide Comets at the end of the 2024 season, Polonia added quality to their solid squad with the likes of Luca Trimboli and Pasia John bringing goals with them in their first year at Regency Park, while Christopher Vivian's return from a long-term injury has seen him create an imperious defensive partnership with Bol Mapor, releasing Adam Martinello into the midfield.

Just like he did in a previous spell with Adelaide Olympic, Tsonis has been able to harness the quality of his squad, taking advantage of an artificial home pitch to play an exciting brand of football while remaining solid defensively. The result was Croydon's return to the Finals Series for the first time since the 2022 season.

Polonia were able to comfortably dispatch West Torrens Birkalla in their Elimination Final before clashing with Adelaide City for a spot in the Grand Final. This two-legged tug-of-war was where Croydon's most important signing of the off-season put an exclamation mark on an already impressive campaign.

Returning to South Australian football, Daniel Margush has been exceptional between the sticks for Croydon in 2025. That trend continued in the two games against Adelaide City; the tie culminating with the goalkeeper standing tall at the end of a penalty shootout to secure his side's return to the big stage for the first time since 2017.

Daniel Margush (centre) was Croydon's hero in their Semi-Final penalty shootout win against Adelaide City. (Image: Pagonis Photography)

MetroStars have prevailed in both encounters between the two sides in 2025, firstly defeating Croydon 1-0 away from home before they rocked Tsonis' side to the tune of four goals at TK Shutter Reserve a fortnight before the Finals Series kicked off.

While the four-goal scoreline from the second game is significant, you only need to watch the first half of the Round 21 encounter to see how Croydon's intense pressing can cause MetroStars problems. Croydon's strong defence will hold them in good stead. But the second half of the same game is proof of a despiriting reality. Croydon gave a strong Metro side their best shot, yet at the same time, Graystone's side remained standing before inflicting their own damage.

Friday night will be the second time the two teams have faced each other in a Grand Final, with the previous encounter taking place in 2014. On the day, Scott Tunbridge scored for MetroStars. But Croydon took out the championship at Hindmarsh Stadium courtesy of goals from Shaun McGreevy and Rocky Visconte.

Interestingly, when looking at the most recent championship of both sides, it is hard to ignore how interconnected the two clubs are. In 2012, MetroStars' championship win came despite Croydon's regular season premiership, while both 2014 and 2017 seasons saw Metro win the premiership, with Croydon going on to claim the championship.

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MetroStars will understandably start as favourites to end their 13-year wait for a championship. When discussing championship experience, though, Croydon's captain Luke Klimek will lead his side out in his third Grand Final, having played in both 2014 and 2017 triumphs, aiming to maintain his perfect record on the big day and bring the first piece of silverware to Polonia's new home at Regency Park.

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