Sydney FC have completed their historic record-breaking season, taking the 2016/17 crown with one of the greatest grand final wins in the A-League’s short history.
All the wash-up from the A-League grand final
» Recap: Sydney are champs, as they deserve
» Five talking points from the match
» Player ratings: Melbourne Victory
» Player ratings: Sydney FC
» Georgievski wins Joe Marston Medal
» Full match report
Final score
Sydney FC 1 (4)
Melbourne Victory 1 (2)
We’ve finally reached the pinnacle of the season as the record-breaking Sydney FC go head to head with arch-rivals Melbourne Victory in the 2017 A-League grand final. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 5pm (AEST).
The “Big Blue” will take centre stage with the top two sides from the season finding their way to the decider. It’s going to be the biggest of blues.
>> Check out the full match preview here
>> Complete season head-to-head history
>> How to watch, stream online
>> Start time, venue, squads
Sydney has broken a host of A-League records this season in what has been the most dominant side of the competition’s history, setting new benchmarks for most points, most wins, most clean sheets, best goal difference, fewest goals conceded. You get the point.
They’ve gone through 28 games this season having only tasted defeat once, a 1-0 derby loss to the Wanderers in Round 20.
Following the week off from the opening round of the finals, the Sky Blues were straight back into their winning ways last week, getting past the Perth Glory in a controversial semi-final.
Two of Sydney’s three goals came out of the polarising new video referral system, guiding them to a three-zip victory and a home grand final.
On the other side of the park, Melbourne has similarly jumped past the quarter-finals into a win last week, this time over the Brisbane Roar.
Goal-scoring machine Besart Berisha was the difference once again in the 1-0 victory, as the Albanian continued his deadly form in finals football over the past few seasons.
Despite a slow start to the season and finishing a mile back from Sydney in the Premiers Plate race, Victory have been the clear main threat to the Sky Blues’ campaign having finished well ahead of Brisbane Roar and even further from their cross-town rivals, Melbourne City.
Victory will have to turn around a painful run in the Big Blue if they want to take the title, having lost all three contests against Sydney this season for the first time in the competition’s history.
Sydney will have to continue to break more marks this season to win get the trophy. Across the 41-game history of these two clubs, no side has ever won four games on the trot.
Team News
Neither side has made any cuts to their semi-final sides with everyone coming through into the decider unscathed.
George Blackwood and Seb Ryall have been brought back into an extended match day squad for the Sky Blues.
And on the other side of the park, Victory coach Kevin Muscat will also be stocking up his numbers with the additions of George Howard and Stefan Nigro into the side.
Prediction
This should be an outstanding game if both sides come out firing. We know how good Sydney are at the moment and we know that they’re all but unbeatable, however, we know the striking power of Berisha and we know that the Victory is one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the competition.
It should be a huge head to head battle with a mountain of passion and emotion running through the players, but it’s hard to see Sydney not lifting the trophy after a season like this one.
Sydney to win 2-1
Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 5pm (AEST).
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Go live in Europe then.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
Check out the full match report HERE
jamesb
Guest
Well done Sydney FC. Best team all year, and thoroughly deserved to be crowned champions. Commiserations to Melbourne Victory.
Connor Bennett
Editor
JOE MARSTON MEDAL Daniel Georgievski wins the player of the final award for Melbourne Victory. He played a stellar game, but an interesting decision nonetheless to give it to a runner-up player.
Scott
Guest
Great call Connor had me on the edge of my seat especially in that second half
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Right Result in the end even if it took a penalty shootout- take a Bow Sydney FC Champions of the A League
Bfc
Guest
Congrats to SFC and G.Arnold. The best side through the season and now the GF winners. To my SFC supporting mates...been a bit of a 'wait' so congrats and I hope you enjoy the moment!
cinque
Roar Rookie
Thanks Connor. Top effort. For some reason the wife wanted to watch The Voice, with occasional flicks.
Zac
Guest
Great call today Connor. Thanks.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Take a breath ladies and gentleman that was an amazing game of football. » Click here to read the full match report
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
SYDNEY FC ARE THE 2016/17 A-LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!! Incredible scenes in Sydney!! The home side have capped off a record-breaking season with one of the greatest grand finals in the competition's short history. The shootout was a mess, but the man Ninkovic stepped up when it counted, potting the final kick and giving them the win with a 4-2 count in the penalties. Sydney – 1 (4) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Milos Ninkovic steps up with a chance to win the grand final.... GOAL SYDNEY!!! THEY'VE DONE IT!!!! SYDNEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!! The coolest of finishes from the best player of the season and the Sky Blues have done it. Incredible scenes as the crowd continue to go ballistic!!! Sydney – 1 (4) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
MISSED PENALTY!!! ROJAS HAS BEEN SAVED!!! What a moment. He went low and to the left but Vukovic picked him fro a mile away, getting low and deflecting it away. Sydney – 1 (3) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
GOAL SYDNEY!! Sydney stay on track, finding the net again. Sydney – 1 (3) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
MISSED PENALTY!!! Valeri misses!! He's nailed the crossbar and the captain has let the home side back into this one. Incredible scenes!! Sydney – 1 (2) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
GOAL SYDNEY Carney settles the nerves, hitting it low and hard into the bottom right corner of goal to even things up. Sydney – 1 (2) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Broxham returns for the Victory and he hits his clutch shot into the right side of the net. GOAL MELBOURNE! Sydney – 1 (1) Victory – 1 (2)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Alex Wilkinson on the spot now... AND HE MISSES!!! MISSED PENALTY!!! Wilkinson crumbles under pressure!! He sends it low and hard, but throws it wide of the left post and the pressure is right on the home side now. Sydney – 1 (1) Victory – 1 (1)