Olsen Hat-Trick Inspires Ten-Man Sharks To Stunning Comeback Win Over Rockdale
Sutherland Sharks produced one of the most dramatic victories of the season, overcoming Rockdale Ilinden 3-1 at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon despite finishing the contest with ten men.
In what shaped as a potential finals preview, Rockdale controlled much of the opening half and looked the stronger side, but a resilient Sutherland outfit responded after the break with a clinical second-half display inspired by reigning NPL Men’s NSW Player of the Year Nicholas Olsen.
James Temelkovski opened the scoring for the hosts in the 34th minute before Olsen levelled from the penalty spot just before half-time. The Sharks striker then struck again shortly after the restart before completing his hat-trick deep into stoppage time to seal a memorable three points.
The match began at a frantic pace, with both sides showing attacking intent from the opening whistle.
Temelkovski thought he had opened the scoring early after firing home from close range, but the celebrations were cut short with the assistant referee ruling the striker offside.
Following a tight opening 10 minutes, Rockdale began to take control of the contest and created several opportunities.
Harry Van Der Saag played Ollie Wiggin through on goal, but the attacker’s chipped effort drifted narrowly past the far post.
Goalkeeper Danijel Nizic then produced a stunning double save to deny the hosts. His first stop from Moudi Najjar was impressive, but the follow-up save to keep out Brendan Cholakian’s effort was even better.
Rockdale eventually broke through in the 34th minute. A brilliant cross from Najjar found Temelkovski inside the penalty area, with the forward making no mistake from close range to give the hosts the lead.
Despite creating limited opportunities during the opening half, Sutherland fought their way back into the contest before the break.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after Diego Bonilla’s effort struck the arm of Reo Kunimoto, allowing Olsen to step up and confidently convert to level the scores at 1-1 heading into half-time.
The second half began in similar fashion, with both sides continuing to attack, but the goalkeepers remained crucial.
Nizic was again called upon to deny Najjar, while Levi Kaye produced a strong save at the other end to keep out Thijs Van Amerongen’s close-range effort.
Sutherland then completed the turnaround in the 50th minute. Jordan Perez delivered a perfectly weighted pass into Olsen’s path, with the striker smashing his finish into the bottom corner to put the Sharks ahead.
Rockdale responded by increasing the pressure, throwing numbers forward as they searched for an equaliser.
The Sharks absorbed the pressure and had opportunities of their own, with Diego Bonilla and Brendan Gan both going close with headers, but neither could trouble Kaye.
The contest became even more dramatic in the 80th minute when Gan received a second yellow card after bringing down Kaye as the Rockdale goalkeeper attempted to launch a counter-attack, leaving Sutherland to defend the final stages with 10 men.
Rockdale almost found a way back into the contest, but Nizic produced another outstanding save to deny Dean Pelekanos’ powerful half-volley in what was a potential save of the season contender.
With Rockdale committing players forward, Sutherland found space on the counter-attack.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Perez broke forward with two teammates in support. With Kaye exposed as the last defender, Perez calmly delivered his second assist of the afternoon, allowing Olsen to complete his hat-trick and seal a famous 3-1 victory.
Following the match, Sharks coach David Perkovic praised his side’s resilience and mentality.
“Rockdale’s an absolute top side, in the first half they had the ascendency, but we stayed in the game. The penalty kept us in the game,” Perkovic said.
“Second half we were a different side, we were more assertive, we went after the win. Some big character from the players to keep their heads with ten men at the end, really proud of that performance.”
Rockdale coach Paul Dee reflected on the missed opportunities that ultimately cost his side.
“It was a good contest overall, we had to push for the equaliser at the end and that left us exposed at the back,” Dee said.
“When we have dominant possession like that and create chances, it’s been somewhat the story of our season. We have to be more clinical in front of goal, we allow teams to stay in it and sometimes they can take advantage like that.”
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Temelkovski 34’)
Sutherland Sharks FC 3 (Olsen 43’, 50’, 90+5’)
Sunday 26th July, 2026
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Tim Danaskos
Assistant Referees: Bradley Wright and Dante Diaz
Fourth Official: Felix Atkin Bolton
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott (27. Lukas Ribarevski 85’), 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Reo Kunimoto, 7. Ollie Wiggin (22. Harry McCarthy 66’), 8. Jerry Skotadis, 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian (15. Stefan Simonoski 76’), 11. Lochlan Constable, 17. James Temelkovski (11. Lochlan Constable 66’), 26. Harry Van Der Saag. 66. Mathieu Cordier (14. Dean Pelekanos 76’)
Substitutes not used: 16. Michael Marcevski 21. Rohan Mulgrew
Yellow Cards: Cholakian 45’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 3. Yianni Nicolaou, (2. Lachlan Macdonald 90+5’), 4. Thijs Van Amerongen, 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Ryley Hollingdale, 8. Brendan Gan, 10. Tariq Maia (17. Richard Shoueiki 85’), 14. Matthew Jurman, 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Diego Bonilla (22. Tye McGowan 90+5’), 21. Nicholas Olsen
Substitutes not used: 11. Danny Choi, 12. Samuel Smith, 18. Gian Fiorese, 40. Lukas Webber.
Yellow Cards: Gan 53’, 80’
Red Cards: Gan 80’
*Player Ratings have now been hidden until the remainder of the NPL Men’s NSW season.
-By Dom Criniti
