Clinical Victory sends warning in Adelaide Utd thrashing

Melbourne Victory have made it very clear they plan to lift the championship trophy next weekend with a massive 6-2 win over Adelaide United.

After missing out on lifting the premiership trophy by two points Melbourne Victory have made it clear they plan on taking the championship with back to back wins against Adelaide United launching them into the grand final.

Victory’s clinical 3-1 triumph over Adelaide meant they finished the two-legged semi-final tie with a 6-2 aggregate.

The win, their 15th in a row, makes them the first team through to the ALW grand final.

Despite having the advantage going into the game Victory captain Kayla Morrison said they treated the match as an elimination final.

“I didn’t even know we were on a 15 game winning streak, we’ve treated every game like a new start, we just have to go out and get a result,” Morrison told Paramount post match.

“It was frustrating to let one in right at the end it would have been nice to seal it with a clean sheet but we’ll take it.”

Victory haven’t starred in an ALW grand final since they defeated Sydney FC in 2022.

They went into the second leg of the semi-final against Adelaide United with a 2-0 lead, after a 3-1 win in the first outing. Victory coach Jeff Hopkins said he was “numb” after the win and was yet to through his thoughts forward to the grand final.

“I’m trying not to think about next week,” Hopkins said.

“It was all about today and the performance today, I’ll probably go home, put my feet up tonight and cut the lawn tomorrow and then get excited about it.”

Adelaide Utd’s Erin Healy. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide needed to come out aggressively but they were cautious and slow off the mark.

It took Melbourne just 10 minutes to get on the scoreboard, which came off a contentious free kick against Adelaide for what was deemed a reckless tackle.

Victory’s Alana Jancevski lined up for the free kick, sent it rocketing towards the goal – Adelaide keeper Claudia Jenkins dived across but couldn’t get enough power behind her parry – the ball landing at Rachel Lowe’s feet. Lowe finished to put Victory ahead 4-1 on aggregate.

The goal seemed to spark a bit of life into Adelaide who managed to create a number of opportunities – finishing the first half with seven shots to Victory’s four. But Victory’s keeper Courtney Newbon proved hard to beat.

United carried their energy into the second half, firing off some early shots, but they just lacked composure.

Melbourne Victory’s Nicki Flannery during the second leg of the semi final. Picture: Getty Images

With the score well in their favour Victory were all too happy to sit off the ball and focus on defending.

It paid off, with a great counter attacking play landing the ball at Nicki Flannery’s feet just wide of the goal. Flannery executed an excellent cross to Sara D’Appolonia who clinically slotted it past Jenkins.

It put Adelaide 5-1 behind on aggregate with just 30 minutes to play.

Victory’s Emily Gielnik had a chance to get on the scoreboard going one-on-one with Jenkins – but couldn’t slip it past the shot stopper.

Coach Jeff Hopkins opted to give some key Victory players an early exit to save them for the grand final. A minute after replacing Gielnik, Holly Furphy made a dash down the sideline, launched a ball into Lowe who belted it into the goal.

Melbourne Victory’s Sara D'Appolonia and Adelaide United’s Dylan Holmes contest possession. Picture: Getty Images

With 12 minutes left on the clock it made it near impossible for Adelaide to find a way back into the game.

Credit to Adelaide they didn’t take their boots off the accelerator – scoring a consolation goal in the 96th minute off the foot of Isabel Hodgson.

While the outcome isn’t what Adelaide United would have hoped for, it is certainly a huge improvement on last season where they finished bottom of the table.

United finished third this year – progressing to just the club’s first ever finals series. Their elimination final win was the first time an Adelaide women’s team had won a finals game. Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes said she was very proud of the team and what they had achieved this season. “We had to go for it we were two goals down,: she said. “I am really proud of the girls for the effort.

“Its been an amazing turnaround from the girls, it’s a really special team and hopefully we can keep them together for the next few years.”

Victory’s Eloise Wilson of the Victory runs with the ball. Picture: Getty Images

Despite putting on a good fight, Victory were just too clinical and had the added advantage of plenty of finals experience.

Melbourne Victory’s opponent will be the winner of the Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners semi-final second leg to be played on Sunday afternoon. The match is currently level with the first leg ending in a 2-2 draw.

Victory have a good track record in ALW grand finals – winning three of their four appearances.

There has never been a City vs. Victory ALW grand final in the history of the league.

Originally published as Clinical Victory sends warning in Adelaide Utd thrashing