CommBank Matilda Cortnee Vine played a starring role in Sydney FC’s victory over Newcastle Jets on Saturday, which meant that the women in sky blue secured their third consecutive A-League Women premiership.
Before the gripping weekend of action, however, there were vital midweek games.
Wellington Phoenix revived their hopes of surviving last place with a stirring 3-1 victory over Adelaide United on Tuesday night. A second-half double to Kiwi rising star Milly Clegg meant that they had the opportunity to rise from the foot of the ladder with a victory over Melbourne Victory on the weekend.
On Wednesday night, Sydney FC overpowered Perth Glory 4-2 in an essential win on their path to the premiership. While Sydney dominated the game, Perth showed the same clinical aptitude in front of goal that saw them defeat Melbourne City last week, bringing the score back to 2-2 after goals to 15-year-old Indiana Dos Santos and CommBank Matilda Cortnee Vine.
However, goals from the American Madison Haley and Princess Ibini secured three points for Sydney FC. Vine was heavily involved in all of the action, with two assists to go alongside her goal.
This result meant that Perth were essentially knocked out of the race for the top four.
Saturday saw four crucial games to the final make-up of the ladder.
Firstly, Wellington Phoenix made a stirring comeback against Melbourne Victory, drawing level in the 99th minute thanks to a Grace Wisnewski goal. It was the latest goal ever scored in an A-League Women's game and meant that Melbourne Victory were relying on Melbourne City not to lose to Canberra United on Sunday to keep their place in the top four.
Western United got the job done against Western Sydney Wanderers, a brace to Hannah Keane ensuring both the golden boot award for the American, and also that Sydney FC would be forced to defeat Newcastle to win the premiership race. Chloe Logarzo and Clare Hunt did not feature in their respective match-day squads.
Meanwhile, Perth Glory finished their season off with a win against Brisbane Roar. A Gabriella Coleman goal in the second half was the difference between the two teams in an end-to-end battle. Larissa Crummer did not feature for Brisbane after departing for SK Brann in the Norwegian Premier League earlier in the week.
The game was particularly significant as it was the final professional game of 54-cap, 2010 Asian Cup-winning CommBank Matilda Kim Carroll after she announced her retirement earlier in the season.
Sydney FC went into their game against Newcastle Jets knowing that they had to win for the premiership – and they did so, finishing the game 4-0 winners. Cortnee Vine and Mackenzie Hawkesby finished with two goals a piece in a game that Sydney dominated but only held on to a one-goal margin for most of the game. Princess Ibini was also influential but did not manage to get on the scoresheet.
While Sydney FC was relieved to secure the victory, it was the final game for a few retiring legends for the Newcastle Jets – 40-cap CommBank Matilda Teigen Allen, 2-cap Newcastle Jets legend Tara Andrews, and also league stalwart Claire Coelho.
In the final game of the round on Sunday, the equation was simple for Canberra United – win, and they were in the finals. Unfortunately for them, a goal and two assists for Holly McNamara meant that they fell just one goal short, the game finishing 3-3.
A brace to Serbian international Vesna Milivojevic made a game of it at the last, but City just managed to hold on.
Finals Action
Now that the regular season is over, fans have the finals series to look forward to.
After the international break, Melbourne City will host Melbourne Victory in the elimination final. Meanwhile, Sydney FC will take on Western United – the winner of whom will go directly to the grand final on April 30.
Keep an eye out for details on these games as they are announced.
You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or on Paramount+.