Melbourne City have clinched a historic W-League three-peat with a 2-0 grand final triumph.
Camera IconMelbourne City have clinched a historic W-League three-peat with a 2-0 grand final triumph.

City claim historic third W-League title

Emma KempAAP

Galvanised by all who doubted them, Melbourne City have their W-League three-peat.

Cashed-up City underlined the third season of their existence with a historic third-straight title following Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Sydney FC.

It's a feat player of the match Jess Fishlock believes will never be repeated.

"I think you won't realise it until five, 10 years ... this will never be repeated," she said.

"What Melbourne City have done for women's football in this country is something that people won't accept or appreciate. They're gonna be bitter, they're gonna hate us.

"You don't have to like Melbourne City but respect the girls, respect what the girls have achieved because it won't happen again."

It's the second-straight season City have come from a fourth-placed finish to clinch the main prize following their whitewash in the club's debut 2015-16 campaign.

"When we set out we had a lot of people doubting us," coach Patrick Kisnorbo said.

"We knew it would be a tough year, especially with the competition growing and players improving.

"But it just shows no one can break the belief and special bond we have amongst the group."

Fishlock was the difference between the teams, netting a first-half screamer and then firing a dazzling second-half free kick to set up Jodie Taylor in front of a record crowd of 6025 at Allianz Stadium.

For the Sky Blues it was another case of so close they almost could touch it, having lost three semi-finals and a grand final following their 2013 title.

Ante Juric's side had the momentum of a 10-match undefeated run but City had the big-stage performers, fielding five players from their past two successful deciders.

And there was no brighter star than Fishlock.

The Welsh international started and finished City's first goal 10 minutes before halftime, robbing Georgia Yeoman-Dale of possession 25m out and lobbing a beauty over the head of Aubrey Bledsloe.

Skipper Teresa Polias ran the Sky Blues' hunt for an equaliser and Princess Ibini forced Lydia Williams to tip her angled shot over the bar.

The Matildas custodian returned to the fore to deny Yeoman-Dale from distance and then punched away a powerful Polias free kick.

She was soon sprawled on the turf requiring medical treatment following a collision with Khamis and then De Vanna, who threw herself about in customary fashion but will rue her uncharacteristic ninth-minute miss.

While Australia's first-choice 'keeper played on, it was more than could be said of Kyah Simon, who received her own attention for a hamstring issue and was subbed off.

Fresh legs were introduced and Rhali Dobson's proved the most decisive.

The attacker latched onto a Fishlock ball and skewed just over the bar, and minutes later forced Emily Sonnett into a foul on the edge of Sydney's box.

Fishlock fired the subsequent free kick and Bledsloe pulled off a superb save but Taylor was on hand to poke home the rebound.