Melbourne City has ended their memorable season in perfect style, winning the behind-closed-doors W-League grand final 1-0 against reigning premiers Sydney FC in a game that will surely be recalled as the most unusual title decider.
A first-half goal to player of the match Steph Catley after a blunder by Sydney goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was all that separated the squads.
City are the first team to claim four W-League championships. Captain Catley paid tribute to her teammates for the way they held their nerve when they needed to.
"It's been a dream season as a whole, this team has been incredible, its been fun to play alongside so many talented players and so many people who genuinely want to win," she said.
"It was a real fight, it got a bit messy, but the fact we got over the line and we didn't play our best football shows that."
Bledsoe made amends with several subsequent good saves while City had numerous opportunities to stretch their advantage but could not take them.
In the end the championship went to the right club given City's season-long dominance.
Rado Vidosic's team won 11 of their 12 W-League games, drawing one, conceded only four regular season goals and won their semi-final 5-1.
It was Vidosic's first ever title win as a head coach, and he savoured the moment.
"I would like to look at it as a reward for six months of hard work and sacrifice. I think in the end we deserve both premiership and championship," he said.
But it was a close run thing as a tough, committed and skilful Sydney made this a much tighter finale than most pundits predicted.
Maybe it was the occasion, maybe it was the fact that they were all too aware of the history making potential before them, but City's defence, so solid all season, seemed uncharacteristically nervous in the opening half.
Sydney forward Veronica Latsko got round Rebekah Stott in just the second minute before firing wide as the visitors looked to make their presence felt early. Shortly after Remy Siemsen tested City Lydia Williams from distance, but City's Matildas keeper held the ball comfortably.
But big games can turn on moments, and that was how City got their noses in front against the run of play in the 15th minute through Catley.
The Matildas left-back played a one-two with her national team counterpart Emily van Egmond before firing in a shot from the left side of the penalty area.
It should have been a routine save for Bledsoe, but the American shot stopper somehow failed to grasp the ball and could only watch as it bounced off her body and went into the net.
Bledsoe partially redeemed herself in the 27th minute when she saved from Emily Van Egmond.
City should have doubled their advantage in the 31st minute thanks to another Sydney blunder, this time by Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy.
The centre-back under hit a pass back to Bledsoe, presenting City's Scottish striker Claire Emslie with a free shot with just the goalkeeper to beat but this time Bledsoe pulled off an excellent save.
Sydney had a shout for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Catley in the face. Replays suggested it came off her elbow but the referee gave a corner.
Williams then had to make a save two minutes from the interval, diving to stop a Huerta drive after Barnes' clearance fell to the opposition.
Sydney had an excellent chance to level four minutes after the restart when an Ally Green long ball found Latsko with just Williams to beat. The goalkeeper made herself big and parried Latsko's shot, which looped up and was headed for goal before Ellie Carpenter got back to hook the ball to safety.
Simon had the opportunity to ease City's nerves in the 57th minute when she was played through by Emslie but with just Bledsoe to beat she drove just wide.
Carpenter's rampaging run in the 65th minute gave her a shooting chance but she too could not hit the target, then Bledsoe dived well to keep out van Egmond's 71st minute shot on the turn.
Williams was alert when she needed to be, diving well to deny Sydney substitute Princess Ibini's shot 10 minutes from time as Sydney drove forward in search of an elusive leveller and City held on with the resilience they have shown all season.
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