Canberra United have claimed their maiden W-League crown and completed an undefeated season as they defeated Brisbane Roar in the W-League Grand Final 3-2 at a jam packed McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon.
Michelley Heyman was the hero for Canberra United, scoring twice, her first was the 11th minute opener as she sent a well worked ball home thanks to a nice finish.
Just six minutes later Heyman turned provider, tearing the Brisbane Roar defense apart as she then sent in a great ball for Ashleigh Sykes to slide the ball into an open net as the keeper failed to meet the cross.
Brisbane Roar weren't about to give up their title that easily and in the 23rd minute their hardwork paid off as they got back in to the match, Emily Gielnik, who came on as an early sub, continued her reputation as a super sub by scoring the goal.
Gielnik scored a good goal with what was really her first touch of the match to give Brisbane Roar a glimmer of hope, trailing just 2-1 at half time.
Canberra came out all guns blazing in the second half, determined to make sure that their undefeated streak didn't come crashing down at the final hurdle.
Heyman was again the goalscorer, just ten minutes after the break she was able to get onto a ball into the box and score with a good header, heading it down too low for the keeper to get to.
Things were made interesting late on as the referee pointed for the spot after Tameka Butt went to ground, with many suggesting that the penalty was a harsh call on Canberra United, Butt got up and took the penalty, scoring in the 66th minute to take it back to a one goal match.
Brisbane Roar were not going to give up, the defending champions really took it to the undefeated premiers throughout the final half an hour and they nearly sent the game to extra time late on.
Gielnik was again the key, as she was put through one-on-one with Lydia Williams she took her shot only to be denied by a great save from Williams, saving not just the goal but the match and the trophy as Canberra United, the only club without an A-League affiliation, won their first ever W-League Championship.
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