Melbourne Victory

Victory was without their strongest players, including defender Laura Alleway, and was also forced to prematurely substitute Natasha Dowie and Jeon Ga-eul due to injuries.

Despite this, they fought hard throughout the game and really turned up the intensity during the second half to try and claw back an equaliser.

This was evident as most of the play was confined in Victory’s attacking half in the last 15-20 minutes, and the Reds’ keeper Sarah Willacy was called on many times to make crucial saves.

“The fight of the girls was definitely there to be seen.” Natasha Dowie said.

“I really felt at times we dominated possession, and if we had our strongest team today, we would have won the game. But it is what it is, and that’s football.”

Season debrief

Adelaide has been handed the wooden spoons and again failed to make finals football, while Victory closed off their season at seventh spot on the table – two spots higher than last year.

Of course, there were glimpses of positivity for Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory, but both teams were punished by the lack of clinical finish on opportunities created and conceding poor goals, summarising the story of their seasons.

Strengthening the squad and building on the progress of the past few seasons are comments echoed from both sides, as they look to a long off-season to prepare for the 11th season of the W-League.

Match details

Adelaide United 2 (Doniak 17’, McCormick 57’)

Melbourne Victory 1 (Cooney-Cross 41’)