Football Australia has confirmed the match officials for the inaugural Australian Championship Final, marking another important milestone in the competition’s first season.
Across the campaign, referees have been widely credited for their professionalism, consistency, and contribution to the strong standard of football delivered each round. The Final appointments recognise officials who have excelled throughout the season and continue to progress through Australia’s refereeing pathway, with many targeting future opportunities in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s competition.
Leading the team for the Final is Referee Eric Saba (Football NSW), supported by Assistant Referees Cameron Wright (Football NSW) and Alessandro Llana (Football NSW). The lineup is completed by Fourth Official Declan Woods (Football Victoria) and Fifth Official Luke Gennimatas (Football Victoria).
Taking charge of the Championship’s first Final is Eric Saba, whose calm authority, match management and consistent high-level performances have been praised by clubs and assessors throughout the season. Saba made his Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s debut last week in the Central Coast Mariners FC v Melbourne City FC fixture. He began his refereeing journey with the North West Sydney Football Referees Association before progressing through Football NSW’s development system.
Joining Saba on the touchlines are Cameron Wright and Alessandro Llana, representing the Macarthur District Football Referees Association and Manly Warringah Football Referees Association respectively. Wright was appointed to the 2022 and 2024 NSW NPL Grand Finals and made his Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s debut last year, while Llana officiated the 2025 NSW NPL Grand Final.
Supporting the on-field team including the use of Football Video Support (FVS) during the Final, are Declan Woods and Luke Gennimatas. Woods, a graduate of the Football Australia Referees Academy (FARA), made his Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s debut last year, while Gennimatas recently officiated at the 2025 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships.
Completing the team is Match Day Observer, Alessandro Arbizzani, from Football Victoria. Arbizzani regularly coaches officials in the NPL system and was the appointed assessor for the 2024 Hahn Australia Cup Final.
Each official has earned their selection through strong performance data, match assessments, and their contribution to maintaining the high officiating standards seen across the Championship’s debut season.
Quote Attributable to Football Australia Head of Refereeing, Jon Moss:
“This first season has demonstrated the tremendous depth we have in Australia’s refereeing ranks. The officials have embraced the challenge of a new competition and delivered performances that match the Championship’s elite standard. The use of FVS for the first time in this country has been historical, and successful, and we look forward to how our officials will perform in the Final.”
Quote Attributable to Football Australia General Manager – Elite Refereeing, Alan Shortall:
“The inaugural Australian Championship has highlighted the power of our refereeing pathways. When officials commit to their development and seize the opportunities in front of them, moments like this Final appointment become possible. We’re enormously proud of the team selected for this historic match.”
