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The Melbourne Victory are A-League Champions for 2017-18 after defeating the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, with a controversial ninth-minute goal to Kosta Barbarouses enough to seal the crown.
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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 per cent of possession and numerous chances on the Victory goal. Unfortunately for them, the Victory were able to snatch an early lead after 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 ageing 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