Matildas at Home: Preliminary Final – Sydney FC qualify for sixth grand final in a row

Taryn Heddo 1682301305,1682302834

Sydney FC overcame a resilient Melbourne Victory 1-0 on Saturday, to qualify for a remarkable sixth A-League Women grand final in a row.

After facing off in the two previous grand finals – Melbourne Victory was triumphant in both – Sydney FC was able to find a modicum of redemption, knocking their rivals out of the competition at the preliminary final stage.

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Jada Whyman was largely a passenger in goals as Melbourne Victory didn’t manage a single shot on target for the entire match.

Up the other end, however, Cortnee Vine and Princess Ibini were busy creating opportunities and knocking on the door of the goals of their opponents. They were responsible for the most progressive carries (6 and 7 respectively) and the most successful take-ons (6 and 4 respectively) for Sydney FC.

It looked for a time as if their efforts were to amount to naught as Casey Dumont and the Melbourne Victory defence thwarted them time and time again. However, in the 89th minute, a scramble in the penalty area opened the door for American Madison Haley to be in the right place at the right time to slot the goal home.

Madison Haley of Sydney FC celebrates scoring a goal with team mates during the A-League Womens Preliminary Final match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium, on April 22, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Madison Haley of Sydney FC celebrates scoring a goal with team mates during the A-League Womens Preliminary Final match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium, on April 22, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Melbourne Victory can hold their heads high. In a campaign that included the loss of Elise Kellond-Knight and Alex Chidiac to injury and the NWSL respectively, they battled through personnel issues and hard luck to scrape into the top four and win the elimination final last week.

In the end, Sydney FC were just too much for them.

Next Week’s Action – Grand Final

The A-League Women’s final has now been locked in. Western United will battle it out against Sydney FC at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, 30 April, 4 pm AEST.


Western United will be hoping to welcome back Chloe Logarzo from injury. If she is fit she could be the difference for her side off the bench, particularly if they find themselves chasing the game.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC’s CommBank Matildas Cortnee Vine, Princess Ibini and Jada Whyman will be desperate to break the championship curse of the sky blues and get their hands on yet another trophy.

You can catch the final live and free on 10Bold, 10Play, or Paramount+.