Melbourne City Become First Club To Win Back-To-Back Titles In W-League History

The 2017 W-League Grand Final took place Sunday afternoon with history on the line. Melbourne City were looking to become the league’s first ever repeat champions. Meanwhile, Perth Glory were seeking their first title after coming close in 2014. 

Having the higher playoff seed, Perth hosted the match at the nib Stadium in front of a crowd of 4,591. The attendance broke a W-League record which had stood since the league debuted in 2008-09. Outside of Australia, the match was streamed live in the United States on ESPN3. 

Perth Glory were led by their superstar striker Sam Kerr. She finished second in goals this season with 10, and she’s scored over 60 in her career with Perth, Sky Blue FC, Western New York Flash, Sydney FC and the Australian national team — impressive for a 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, Melbourne City was very much in the image of their current player-manager, Jess Fishlock. Aggressive and attacking, Fishlock was joined by fellow Seattle Reign teammates Beverly Yanez and Lauren Barnes. That bond in the team has clearly rubbed off on the entire squad, as both Larissa Crummer and Rebekah Stott have signed with the Reign for the upcoming NWSL season. 

After a back and forth first half, and just like in Melbourne’s semifinal victory over Canberra United, Fishlock herself provided the key moment of the match. Fishlock knocked in a shot just before the half that was the squad’s first shot on target. 

The #WLeagueGF opening goal from all angles and ! @JessFishlock on the end of a superb @MelbCityWFC team move #WLeague #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/SnqXr4goPX

— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) February 13, 2017

Yanez would connect with a cross in the second half to double City’s lead. 

Melbourne’s 2-0 victory puts the club even with Sydney FC and Canberra United at two titles a piece. Even after finishing in the last playoff spot, City showed the experience needed to manage games and advance in the playoffs. 

Now with Australian league action concluded, numerous players will travel back to the United States for the start of NWSL training camps in March. With five team members all coming together from Melbourne City to Seattle, can the Reign finally win their first NWSL title in 2017?