Sydney FC have won the A-League Women Grand Final at the third time of asking. The 2022/23 premiers have eased the nerves of the local support with two goals to Madison Hayley and Nat Tobin before the 20 minute mark.
Although Cortnee Vine was menacing from the start, Mackenzie Hawkesby was the difference early. Industrious in midfield and definitive from set pieces, it was the star playmaker’s trademark corners that delivered the lead.
Western United had chances to get back into the game. Hannah Keane tested Jada Whyman with well crafted strikes. But the degree of difficult was high and the Sydndy FC goalkeeper was well enough positioned to deal with them.
Sydney FC effectively sealed the win when Stacey Papadopoulos brough down Princess Ibini in the box. The Matildas winger took the spot kick herself and shot with confidence to make it 3-0 withjust over an hour played.
Sydney FC maintained the pressure throughout the game and Haley added their fourth and her second with a close range poachers finish in the final seconds.
Key Takeaways:
Sydney FC are worthy champions
“I know the hurt of losing a Grand Final,” Sarah Hunter told Kick360 in a recent interview. That really showed from the first whistle. After two consecutive defeat in the deciders on 2021 and 2022, Sydney FC looked determined from the first whistle.
A fortnight ago, these two teams met in the first final and on that occasion it was the premiers who looked like they had stage fright. Western United were more competitive, physical and clinical in that 1-0 win, but that was reversed in the Grand Final.
Sydney FC only really crafted two clear cut chances in the first half and buried both. Hawkesby’s corner kicks have a low trajectory and are hit at speed. Haley’s header only had to direct it toward goal and Hillary Beale was left with no chance.
The second was similar in buildup, although finished in more scrappy fashion. Nat Tobin will not mind how it in went in, and has a goal as well as a championship to celebrate her 100th game.
Sydney FC have been dominant across the last three home and away seasons, and have now won their fourth Grand Final in their history. This is a dynamic, dominant, attacking team that scored 43 goals in the home and away season, while conceding just 15. They are a production line of Matildas, with Cortnee Vine, Rachel Lowe, Princess Ibini , Mackenzie Hawkesby and Jada Whyman all receiving call ups in the last 12 months.
There has been no question about their talent, or potential as a team. Three premierships is a remarkable achievement. But until they won the Grand Final there would always be a query over if they could deliver on the biggest occasion.
That has now been put to rest. They have been the best team of this season, and it may be just the start of a dynasty.
Western United have still achieved something remarkable
Western United fans and players might feel deflated at how their season ended, but they really should not.
They finished second in the league and were in the premiership race until the final day. They defeated all other top four teams this season, and made the Grand Final at the first time of asking.
This season was a victory of planning and faith. They gave chances to players either rejected or ignored by other clubs, brought in some highly decorated international stars and created a club culture from nothing that ended by almost delivering a trophy in their inaugural year.
The only thing football fans have a right to expect is hope, and Mark Torcaso’s team gave their supporters reason to dream.
Their run this season will only help them attracted more talent and give them a foundation that they can build on. This squad with a core of Victorian NPLW players, many of who had not played in this competition for years had a season to remember, and will likely be back again sooner rather than later.
Sydney FC had too many attacking weapons
In the end, it was the depth in the squad that won the day. Sydney FC bossed the midfield, and in the absence of Angela Beard, Western United had no answer for Cortnee Vine. The Matildas winger could not find the back of the net, nor the final pass, but her troublesome movement earned the two corners that set the tone.
Western United’s class remained, Hannah Keane still looked dangerous, and Khali Johnson never stopped trying, but they did not have the players on the bench to change the game or pinch a goal.
The margins are tight at the top end. Western were better than every team except one this season, but they had no answer for Sydney FC at the second time of asking.
Western United: Beall (GK), Papadopoulos, Cerne, Cummings, Vljanic, Sawicki, Robers, Taranto, Steer, Keane, Johnson. Substitutes: Dall O’ste, Sardo, Dakic, Jaber, M Taranto.
Sydney FC: Whyman (GK), Mclean, Fenton, Hunter, Lowe, Haley, Vine, Tobin, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini. Substitutes: Offer (GK), De La Harpe, Hollman, I Dos Santos, Badawiya.
Scorers: Haley 4’ 91’ Tobin 18’ Ibini 63’
