The irrepressible Sydney FC have beaten Melbourne City 1-0 to claim a record fifth A-League Women championship, and their second in a row.
Premiers City dominated possession but super-sub Shea Connors struck in the 69th minute, brilliantly assisted by teen sensation Indiana Dos Santos, to send the Sky Blues into ecstasy.
Both teams were on four titles heading into Saturday’s clash at AAMI Park in Melbourne, which took place in front of 7671 fans.
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It was the second-highest grand final attendance ever, after the 9519 in Sydney last year.
Sky Blues midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby was named player of the match.
City right-back Bryleeh Henry was superb and Julia Grosso shut down Matildas star Cortnee Vine, while Sydney FC defenders Charlotte Mclean and Jordan Thompson kept the dangerous Hannah Wilkinson quiet.
The Melbourne side suffered a blow before the game, with goalkeeper Barbara ruled out with a quad strain.
Veteran Melissa Barbieri stepped in, with Emily Shields signed late as a back-up.
Despite her 27-year professional career and more than 80 caps for the Matildas, it was Barbieri’s first start in a grand final.
She made a sharp one-handed save to deny Thompson inside the opening minute, while her Sydney counterpart Jada Whyman was also called into action early to deny Wilkinson.
In the 11th minute, City teenager Daniela Galic bamboozled multiple Sydney defenders but her tame close-range effort was easily claimed by Whyman.
The Sky Blues almost pinched a goal at the end of the half after Stott slipped and Hawkesby pounced, but the Sydney midfielder attempted to pass rather than shoot and Henry recovered to clean up.
In the 64th minute it was City’s turn to go close, Taylor Otto dragging a shot wide of the far post.
Sydney skipper Princess Ibini set a record by playing in her eighth decider, but made way for Connors in the 67th minute – and it proved a master stroke from coach Ante Juric.
Two minutes later, a poor Rebekah Stott header fell to Shay Hollman, who worked the ball to Dos Santos.
The 16-year-old pulled off a wonderful pass to find Connors, who beat City’s defence for pace, burst forward and struck a first-time shot past Barbieri.
Dario Vidosic’s City spurned multiple good chances to equalise and were left to rue what might have been.
Hughes shot over the bar in the 79th minute, and Leticia McKenna appeared destined to score four minutes later only to be denied by a Hollman clearance over the bar.
Rhianna Pollicina should have levelled the tie in the 84th minute after a Whyman clearance fell to her, but with the goal beckoning she blasted over the bar.