Melbourne City have cemented their status as a powerhouse in Australian women's football after defeating Wellington Phoenix 3-1 in the A-League Women grand final at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon. The victory saw City equal Sydney FC's record of five championships, while also completing a domestic double after finishing the regular season as premiers.
First-half dominance
Matildas forward Holly McNamara, who won the golden boot for most goals in the regular season, sprang to life late in the first half. In the 41st minute, she produced a sensational spin-and-strike from outside the box to open the scoring. Just two minutes later, McNamara scythed through the Wellington defence to slot her second into the bottom corner, giving City a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
City had earlier threatened when winger Bryleeh Henry burst through the Phoenix centre-backs in the fourth minute, but her effort to round goalkeeper Victoria Esson ended in a tumble, with referee Isabella Mossin waving away penalty appeals. VAR, introduced for the first time in an ALW decider, confirmed the decision.
Karly Roestbakken delivered a low, hard cross that McNamara shinned just wide in the 21st minute, while Leticia McKenna fired a free kick off the crossbar before the half-hour mark. McNamara also had a header correctly ruled out for offside in the 35th minute, and Aideen Keane saw her shot saved by Esson's foot in the 40th minute.
Second-half strikes
McKenna put the result beyond doubt in the 49th minute with a gorgeous long-range strike that curled into the far post, leaving the Phoenix goalkeeper with no chance. Wellington pulled one back three minutes later through injury-replacement signing Makala Woods, who poked home after a scramble in the box.
The goal sparked a period of dominance for the Phoenix, with Woods forcing a diving save from City goalkeeper Malena Mieres in the 56th minute with a spiralling header. However, City bunkered down and managed the game effectively, using strategic time-wasting substitutions to see out the victory.
Historic achievement
The title brings Melbourne City level with Sydney FC at five championships, and with five premierships, they are now the equal most successful women's team in ALW history. City will have little time to celebrate, as they fly to South Korea on Sunday morning to face Japanese club Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the semi-final of the Asian Women's Champions League on Wednesday.
A treble of trophies would be a fitting reward for a side that has established itself as the new dynasty in Australian women's football. Coach Bev Priestman, who was voted coach of the season by the league's players, praised her team's resilience and quality throughout the campaign.
