Capping off their third successive finals appearance with an elusive W-League championship, Melbourne Victory’s past five years represent a remarkable journey - one that should inspire those inside their own building.
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Victory snatched the lead in Morwell when Ayres drove a cracking strike into the top corner in the 13th minute, then doubled their lead via New Zealand international Claudia Bunge s 41st-minute header.
Then, in the 42nd minute, Catherine Zimmerman slipped a clever ball through to Kyra Cooney-Cross, who drilled a low finish past Jets custodian Nicole Simonsen.
Jets star Tara Andrews pulled a goal back in the 48th minute, lashing home after Victory defender Kayla Morrison failed to clear an aerial ball.
Newcastle snared another in the 76th when Tessa Tamplin put a ball over the top for Rhianna Pollicina, who casually chipped Victory goalkeeper Gaby Garton.
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On that March afternoon - the stands emptied of all but friends and family as the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic began to become apparent - Steph Catley’s 15th-minute strike powered City over Sydney and to its fourth W-League title in five seasons; the Matildas’ star captaining an XI that featured ten senior internationals and had set new records for domination in the proceeding season.
Thursday was the first meeting between the two foes since and, with the last-minute determination that the surface of Frank Holohan Soccer Complex was unsafe, proceedings once again took place behind-closed-doors at AAMI Park.