2018 A-League Grand Final live scores, blog: Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne Victory

5th May, 2018

Match result:

The Melbourne Victory have been crowned A-League champions after a ninth-minute goal to Kosta Barbarouses was enough to seal the deal.

Final score
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne Victory 1

» Full match report

Match preview:

The Newcastle Jets and the Melbourne Victory clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in the A-League grand final for season 2017-18. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).

Well, here we are at the end of the road for the season, and a fitting match to find the Champions of Australia for season 13 of the A-League.

Newcastle go into this match as both the bookies and sentimental favourites, after finishing second on the ladder and navigating their way into the decider past Melbourne City.

The Victory muscled their way through Sydney FC, which was something of a surprise.

Both teams bring significant momentum into this game, but nerves will play a huge role – as with all big matches – and the youghtful Jets will be relying on the steadying influence of manager Ernie Merrick to get them across the line.

Victory seem a little more hardened and experienced and will look to use that to gain an advantage.

The home crowd will be buzzing and the stadium will be rocking, and it’s worth noting the Jets have beaten the Victory twice in the Hunter this season already.

The match offers Newcastle the chance to complete one the most remarkable turnarounds in the history of the game after copping the wooden spoon last season.

They finished second on the table behind Sydney FC during the home-and-away, but now get the chance to host a grand final thanks to the Sky Blues falling short of qualification.

Melbourne Victory made their way through to the decider with a thrilling 120-minute victory against Sydney last week.

Prediction
In such a close-run thing, one decision or moment will probably decide this game.

With an enormous crowd at their back, the Jets should complete the fairytale and claim their second A-League title.

Catch all the action live on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST).

The Crowd Says:

2018-05-05T14:58:00+00:00

Simon

Guest

Lol

2018-05-05T13:09:54+00:00

Cousin Claudio

Roar Guru

Me too. Especially the way Victory won.

2018-05-05T13:06:05+00:00

Cousin Claudio

Roar Guru

Good call. Thanks Stuart. Disappointing end in some ways to another great A-League season. The first goal should have been disallowed for offside, in fact Donachie was never on side at any stage. I don't understand why the linesman didn't see it or the VAR disallow it - very strange. O'Donovan's kick on Thomas was very bad and he should get a lengthy holiday. Berisha gets away with taking out an opponent with his elbow to their head once again in another grand final and nothing happens, not even a yellow. Very strange. Did I see the Victory fans let off another flare. They need to clamp down on these people. Flares don't belong in our sport.

2018-05-05T12:47:49+00:00

Lionheart

Guest

Well done to Victory. A bit tough for Jets fans with the goal but have to say Victory were the better side tonight and deserve the toilet seat.

AUTHOR

2018-05-05T12:14:04+00:00

Stuart Thomas

Expert

The Melbourne Victory are the A-League Champions for 2017/18 after defeating the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium. In a match full of drama, intrigue and controversy the Victory reigned supreme and turned around early season woes to hold aloft the trophy against popular expectations. The first half was played in a sparkling manner by the Jets and they were by far the better team with 65% of possession and numerous chances on the Victory goal. Unfortunately for them, the Victory were able to snatch an early lead when Kosta Barbarouses converted from a Leroy George cross after nine minutes. Sadly for this grand final, the video replay showed that there was an off-side from the free kick and the goal should not have been allowed. Subsequently the Victory did well to hang on for the remainder of the half and took a slender advantage into the break after having little of the play in the first forty-five. The second-half was in direct comparison with far less entertaining football played and the Victory stifling the Jets' attack brilliantly. In fact, it was the visitors who had the better of the chances in the second period. Some hard challenges bled into the game late and the replacements were used well by Victory to run clock and grind the game down as they held onto their lead. In one last flourish, a Newcastle free into the box saw Roy O'Donovan attack the head of Lawrence Thomas with his boot and lay the Victory keeper prostrate for the second time in the match. It was a horrible challenge and one that will see a significant sanction for the Irishman. It led to an agonising eight minutes of added time in total until the final whistle blew and the Victory were crowned champions. For a team that started the season poorly, failed in Asia and had an aging striker who was apparently letting them down each week, they did okay. So much so, that they are the champions of Australia after finishing fourth on the ladder and knocking off the top two in the finals' series. Final Score Newcastle Jets 0 Melbourne Victory 1

2018-05-05T12:13:31+00:00

jupiter53

Roar Pro

In fact, I hated them already; now I hate them even more.

2018-05-05T12:12:57+00:00

KenoathCarnt

Guest

Still though Sydney completely dominated and lol I still agree though should have finals.

2018-05-05T12:11:59+00:00

jupiter53

Roar Pro

2 great semis followed by a miserable grand final. What is the point of VAR if the off side leading to the Melbourne goal is missed? Full credit to Thomas for the first half in particular, and to the defence of the rest of the team in the second half. But I still [irrationally of course, but I don't care] hate Melbourne "Victory".

2018-05-05T12:05:06+00:00

Simon

Guest

Not really a Jets fan but damn it feels bad to see a terrible VAR decision combined with victory’s time wasting marr a grand final.

2018-05-05T12:03:23+00:00

anon

Roar Pro

Finals format works you have to say. Imagine how boring this season would have been if we just made the team on the top of the ladder the champion.

2018-05-05T12:02:56+00:00

Redondo

Guest

Jose Muscat