So, there we have it.
Melbourne Victory are crowned Premiers for the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Perth Glory away from home.
REPORT: Willacy the hero as Reds beat Roar
REPORT: Victory claim Premiership Glory
It was perhaps fitting that it should be such a gutsy performance on the road that ultimately sealed only the second piece of silverware in the club’s history, a performance that most would have put past the Navy Blues in years past.
Two first half goals and a gritty defensive display in the second got the job done and despite having a rescheduled game in hand against Canberra United next week, it was clear that Jeff Hopkins’ side were not in the mood for waiting.
It wasn’t as if they were coming up against an unmotivated opposition either.
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Perth found themselves in an unusual situation tonight, win and they would go top and perhaps claim the title, lose by five goals and they would drop out of the top four altogether.
As it stands they will make the trip to Victoria’s Capital to replay Friday’s fixture in a bid to reach their second Grand Final in three seasons.
In the earlier match Brisbane Roar travelled to South Australia knowing a victory over Adelaide United would give them a shot at an unlikely Premiers Plate.
Perhaps it was playing on their minds as they fell to the Reds 1-0, the result sealed when Yuki Nagasato’s penalty was saved by Adelaide goalkeeper Sarah Willacy late on.
It wasn’t all bad news for Brisbane however as, despite the result, they will still host their semi-final against Sydney FC next weekend as they look to go one better than last year.
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Melbourne City’s hopes of an unprecedented fourth straight Championship were finally extinguished as they left their run too late for good this time.
Perth’s one-goal loss was not enough for the Melburnians to sneak into the top four after their 2-0 win over the Sky Blues on Thursday night.
With one of the closest title races in Westfield W-League history now concluded, fans can now turn their attention to what is set to be a pulsating battle for ultimate honours.
