Graphic: Michael Alesich

Just over a week after facing off for the Premiers Plate, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory will once again battle for silverware in the W-League Grand Final after impressive wins over Easter.

Even with home final advantage, Brisbane Roar could not replace the presence of departed Matildas Claire Polkinghorne and Emily Gielnik against a rampant Victory, while Canberra United could not break through the Sydney FC defence with star striker Michelle Heyman a late withdrawal.

Brisbane Roar 2 – 6 Melbourne Victory

Written by Nick Amies

Melbourne Victory have made a triumphant return to the W-League Grand Final with an impressive 6-2 win over Brisbane Roar at Lions Stadium.

Despite the loss of Matildas striker Emily Gielnik, the Roar nearly opened the scoring through another international – Tameka Yallop’s shot ruled not to have completely crossed the line after bouncing down from the crossbar.

Instead it was the visitors who would take the lead in the 23rd minute.

After her team won the ball with a coordinated high press, Melina Ayres brilliantly turned Winonah Heatley and played out to Lisa De Vanna, who took one touch before blasting it past the diving Georgina Worth.

Brisbane would respond in style as the half wound down through a spectacular long-range effort from Olivia Chance – a contender for goal of the season – but parity was short-lived as a rocket from Catherine Zimmerman put the Victory back in front before the break.

https://twitter.com/WLeague/status/1378603427454808065?s=20

It would take just 90 seconds after the restart for Melbourne to double their advantage, Lisa De Vanna’s initial shot palmed straight into the path of Melina Ayres for a poacher’s finish.

De Vanna was a constant threat to the Roar defence and scored her second of the match just past the hour mark, pickpocketing Yallop before fizzing a shot past Worth at her near post.

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Chance went for the spectacular once again in the 74th minute, and while Garton made the save on this occasion Yallop was able to prod home the loose ball and give some hope of a fightback.

A penalty miss from Ayres continued to leave the door ajar for Brisbane, but the number 14 would seal the result in the closing stages with two more goals, completing her hat-trick and the Roar’s worst defensive result in W-League history.

The Victory return to the season finale for the first time since 2014, erasing several seasons of semi final heartbreaks.

De Vanna scored the opening goal in that match – a 2-nil win over Brisbane Roar – and looks eager to repeat the feat next weekend.

Sydney FC 3 – 0 Canberra United

Written by Dale Roots

Sydney FC booked its place in a fourth consecutive W-League grand final, defeating Canberra United 3-0 at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah on Monday afternoon.

Goals from Mackenzie Hawkesby and Clare Wheeler had Sydney well in control of the match, before a genuine goal-of-the-season contender from Ally Green – her first in the W-League – sealed the result for the Sky Blues.

Canberra was dealt a blow before kick-off with W-League all-time leading scorer Michelle Heyman ruled out with a leg injury, meaning manager Vicki Linton was forced into moving Demi Koulizakis into Heyman’s traditional centre-forward position, with support in attack from Paige Satchell and Nicki Flannery.

Sydney wasn’t without injury disruptions of own, with coach Ante Jurić forced to once again deploy Rachel Lowe in an unfamiliar right-wing position in place of the injured Cortnee Vine, while new signing Tash Prior retained her place in the heart of defence.

United almost stole the lead after barely 30 seconds, after Satchell delivered a teasing square pass across Jada Whyman’s goalmouth, only for Flannery to miss out on connecting with the cross by a matter of inches.

Canberra continued to look composed in possession, controlling the majority of the ball and looking to stretch Sydney with width to their pacy wingers and overlapping fullbacks; defender Emma Ilijoski in particular was often found well up the pitch, ably assisting the front three with a range of square and diagonal passes from the left side.

That weight of possession and numerous excellent involvements from Ilijoski would all be for naught on the quarter-hour mark, as the young left-back momentarily left her assignment on Hawkesby by the right-hand upright, allowing the Sydney midfielder to side foot Clare Wheeler’s pinpoint cross beyond Canberra gloveswoman Keeley Richards to open the scoring.

https://twitter.com/WLeague/status/1378942474274500608

Sydney continued to threaten United on the counter-attack, and found its second goal through quite fortuitous circumstances when Wheeler’s Zidane-esque swivelling right-footed volley deflected inside the post off defender Lauren Keir, leaving Richards planted to the spot in disbelief.

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Despite the technical brilliance of Wheeler’s effort, the Premiers saved the best goal for last, sealing the result through the most unlikely of sources. Usually gun-shy and unfamiliar with the goalmouth, defender Green won the ball in the centre circle before driving forward and unleashing a thunderbolt from 35 metres out, leaving Richards with no hope of saving her side’s blushes.

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Canberra continued to push for a consolation goal in time added on, but Sydney continued its three-year-long streak of keeping United scoreless, sealing the result and ensuring another home decider.

Grand final details 

Match time is listed in AEST.

  • Sydney vs Melbourne Victory at Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah – Sunday 11 April, 4:05pm

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Nick Amies
Nick Amies
Nick is a writer for Beyond 90 covering Brisbane Roar for the 2019-20 season. He is still waiting for his beloved Central Coast Mariners to make a return to the W-League and is the current Digital Content and Social Media Manager for Northern Tigers/Northern Suburbs Football Association.
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