Melbourne City have clinched the Premiers’ Plate, and the top six final places have been locked in, on a dramatic final day of the women’s A-League.
Melbourne City has won their first Premiers’ Plate in four years, after a 2-1 away win at Perth Glory in the final match of the Liberty A-League regular season.
A long-range strike in the first half from Rhianna Pollicina gave City control, before 15-year-old Shelby McMahon sealed the victory and Premiers’ Plate in the 89th minute at Macedonia Park.
Cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory left the door open for City to take top spot after upsetting Sydney FC 4-0 at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Victory needed to claim all three points to book their finals place, and secured fourth and a home Elimination Final after second-half goals from CommBank Matildas’ Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac.
The drama-filled weekend kicked off on Thursday night as the Central Coast Mariners and Western United played out a tense 1-1 draw.
The point away from home ensured Western United will host an Elimination Final at new home base Regional Football Facility, Tarneit, while the draw ensured the Mariners will return to finals football in their first year back in the Liberty A-League Women.
Newcastle Jets claimed a finals berth, and sixth spot, with a thumping 8-0 win over Adelaide United on Friday night.
Going into the final round, the seventh placed Jets needed a big win and results to go their way to see their season continue into April. Doubles from Lara Gooch and Melina Ayres headlined the away win and secured finals football for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
A-Leagues Commissioner, Nick Garcia said: “It’s been a record-breaking year in the Liberty A-League Women — with record crowds, club memberships and broadcast viewers – and we’re set for the biggest finals series yet.
“We’ve seen fantastic football across the league all season and it was incredibly exciting to have the Premiers’ Plate and finals places decided in the final round. Congratulations to Melbourne City for taking out top spot, and to the other five teams who have booked finals’ places.
“We’ve had Matildas, Football Ferns and other internationals inspire fans each week, and the next generation of stars continue to raise the bar – and the finals are going to be no different. It’s the first time we’ve had a top six finals series and we’re expecting exciting football and more record crowds. We hope fans can get down and enjoy the action.”
Final standings
Finals series
The Liberty A-League Women 2024 Finals Series kicks off on April 13-14, 2024, following a FIFA international break.
It will be 3rd v 6th, and 4th v 5th in two cut-throat elimination finals, with the winners facing Melbourne City and Sydney FC in two-legged semi-finals for the right to play off in the Liberty A-League Women 2024 Grand Final on Saturday May 4, 2024.
Tickets for the Elimination Final between Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners will go on sale from 10am and 3pm AEST on Monday April 8 for women’s and men’s club members, and at 10am AEST on Tuesday April 9 for the general public via www.ticketek.com.au.
Details regarding tickets for the Elimination Final between Western United and Newcastle Jets will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Fixtures
Week 1: Elimination Finals
Games to be played on Sunday April 14, 2024
Western United v Newcastle Jets
Regional Football Facility, Tarneit, 8.30pm (NZT)
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
Home of the Matildas, Melbourne, 6pm (NZT)
Week 2: Semi Finals (Leg 1)
Games to be played on Saturday 20 April 20 and Sunday April 21, 2024
Lowest-placed Elimination Final winner v Melbourne City
Highest-placed Elimination Final winner v Sydney FC
Week 3: Semi Finals (Leg 2)
Games to be played on Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28, 2024
Melbourne City v lowest-placed Elimination Final winner
Sydney FC vs highest-placed Elimination Final winner
Week 4: Grand Final
Game to be played on Saturday 4 May 4, 2024
Highest ranked Semi Final winner v lowest ranked Semi Final winner
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