The A-League Women’s has a reputation for being one of the most unpredictable and chaotic leagues on the planet, and the first week of finals was no exception.
Melbourne Victory overcame Melbourne City on penalties in the elimination final on Saturday in a topsy-turvy game for the ages.
Melbourne City – led by captain Emma Checker – struck first through Rhianna Pollicina. Her goal was the result of a wonderful assist from Holly McNamara, fit and started the game after returning early from international duty in the previous window.
Their cross-town rivals struck back in the second half. A penalty was the first of Melina Ayres’ three unanswered goals, becoming only the second player alongside Sam Kerr to score a hattrick in an A-League Women’s finals fixture.
At 3-1, it was a mountain to climb for City to get back into the game – but they climbed it. A second goal to Rhianna Pollicina got the game back within the odd goal. Victory may have thought they won it after an 89th-minute penalty to Holly McNamara was saved by Casey Dumont.
However, in the dying moments – the 97th minute, in fact – New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson came up big for Melbourne City, equalising with almost the last action of regulation time.
The teams couldn’t be split in extra time, even after a second yellow card resulted in Amy Jackson being sent off, and Melbourne Victory having to hold on for the last fifteen or so minutes with ten players. So – for the first time since 2016 – off to penalties we went.
Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont stole the show. Unusually for a goalkeeper, she stepped up to take the first penalty and calmly converted. Without breaking stride, she made her way into the goal and saved Melbourne City’s first penalty from Katie Bowen.
After another miss from Hannah Wilkinson, it was up to 17-year-old Alana Murphy to win the shootout for Victory. She duly obliged. Melbourne Victory, the defending champions, are still alive.
To remain in the competition without CommBank Matildas Elise Kellond-Knight and Alex Chidiac is some achievement for Jeff Hopkins’ side, but the defending champions seem to find another gear when it comes to finals football.
They will play Sydney FC in the preliminary final after Western United shocked the premiers 1-0 on Sunday to secure their direct route to the Grand Final in two weeks. A goal to golden boot winner Hannah Keane in the first half was the difference between the two sides.
Princess Ibini and Cortnee Vine both had several sights on goal in a game that Sydney dominated in every way except the scoresheet. However, American goalkeeper Hillary Beall stood tall, making 12 saves and ensuring that her side kept a clean sheet and held on to the narrow margin. Jada Whyman looked assured at the other end but could do nothing about Keane’s goal.
Making the Grand Final is a remarkable achievement for Western United in their inaugural A-League Women’s season. They will be hoping for the return of Chloe Logarzo to boost their team after coach Mark Torcaso said post-game that she was likely to be fit to play in a fortnight.
Next Week’s Action
Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory will face off for a spot in the final on Saturday at Allianz Stadium, with kick-off from 3 pm AEST. It is a re-match of the previous two grand finals, both of which were won by Victory, and is sure to be a spicy affair.
You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or on Paramount+.