The enigma has spoken and Melbourne Victory are off to the finals.

A hat trick from Racheal Quigley and a season first goal for Beattie Goad were enough to seal a 4-0 victory over an unusually mediocre Newcastle Jets.

Newcastle started the stronger of the two teams, with Emily Van Egmond, Tori Huster and Georgia Yeoman-Dale all influential in the opening 20 minutes.

The Jets were unlucky to not be in front after some strong runs put them in good position in the final third, but flawed finishing and strong performances from Hannah Brewer and Bri Davey kept the Jets scoreless and allowed the tide to turn.

From there it was all Victory. Lisa De Vanna charged around the field running into spaces that wouldn’t exist apart from beautiful ball distribution by Christine Nairn and superb pace and skill from De Vanna.

Time and again De Vanna tore around the ground, notching up three assists in a day well spent. De Vanna was all class throughout the match.

Strong games from Ella Mastrantonio, Elli Reed and Lauren Barnes who turned ‘minder’ on the day, keeping an eye on dangerous Jets captain and midfield playmaker, Emily Van Egmond.

Hannah Brewer shut down attacks coming through the right flank and “The Boss” Christine Nairn continued to belie the laws of time and space as she almost effortlessly manoeuvred around the ground.

Watching the game, you might think to yourself that no-one should be given that much space, but the rules are multiplied when it’s Nairn … and then, truth be told, Nairn actually doesn’t need that much space as her ball control is exquisite to watch.

Finally, this was the game Victory fans had been waiting for all season. An unstoppable goalfest where everyone looks the part.

It is hard to say where and why Newcastle went wrong. Emily van Egmond said post match that it was an “embarrassing” game for them and not reflective of their true character and ability.

In saying that, Rhali Dobson started the match with a few excellent runs, her pace easily outstripping the long legs of central defender Emma Checker but her aim slightly off target or easily controlled by Davey.

Yeoman-Dale also started strong and kept Steph Catley honest, forcing the Victory captain to float back and not extend her runs along the left flank.

Apart from that, the Jets really didn’t look like the team they have built themselves up to be.

Perhaps Newcastle shouldn’t worry too much about this aberration. With two matches still to play, they have a good shot at making the finals and they probably deserve as much as any of the top four teams to be there.

Melbourne, well they showcased why they’re in the finals, their ability to weather the storm and counterattack a key reason why the keep getting results, as they pack their bags and head to Japan for the International Women’s Club Championship as W-League title holders from last year.

Melbourne Victory 4 (Racheal Quigley 23’, 46’, 69’, Beattie Goad 31’)

Newcastle Jets 0

Saturday 22 November 2014

Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Kelly Jones

Melbourne Victory: Brianna Davey (gk), Hannah Brewer, Lauren Barnes, Gema Simon (Beattie Goad 25’), Stephanie Catley, Racheal Quigley (Caitlin Friend 72’), Christine Nairn, Lisa De Vanna (Gulcan Koca 63’), Ella Mastrantonio, Emma Checker, Elli Reed

Substitutes – Cassandra Dimovski (gk)

Newcastle Jets: Hannah Southwell (gk), Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Hayley Crawford (Brooke Miller 84’), Katherine Reynolds, Angela Salem, Tori Huster, Amber Neilson (Grace McIntyre 67’), Tara Andrews, Emily van Egmond, Rhali Dobson (Clare Wheeler 86’), Cassidy Davis

Substitutes – Claire Coelho (gk)

Cautions – Emily van Egmond 27’, Tori Huster 35’