Melbourne City claim championship title against Melbourne Victory in fiery derby grand final
When the full-time whistle sounded at AAMI Park, Happy Together, reverberated around the stadium as Melbourne City finished A-League finals series champions in a fiery derby grand final against Melbourne Victory.
The result for Victory makes it two grand final losses in a row, with City winning 1-0.
"It hasn't sunk in just yet but that feels great, championship words," City captain Aziz Behich told Paramount+ at full-time.
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Mathew Leckie celebrates with teammates. Getty
Yonatan Cohen hit what would be the winner in the 10th minute after Max Caputo's strike hit the post and rebounded to Cohen, who smashed it into the back of the net.
It was a fiery affair that matched the expectation that comes with a derby.
In the 49th minute, Mathew Leckie was split open by a stray boot from Zinédine Machach. Leckie played the rest of the match with a bandage around his face and blood streaming out.
"That was a nasty exchange, accidental," Andy Harper said in commentary.
Matthew Leckie cops a boot to the face. Paramount+
Twenty minutes later, City's Germán Ferreyra engaged in a push and shove with Lachlan Jackson during a corner.
That wasn't the end of the fiery exchanges.
In the 77th minute, Victory's Josh Inserra took out Marco Tilio with a rash challenge from behind and was immediately given a yellow card.
Both sides came together aggressively, with several players having to be dragged away.
City were able to hold on despite the drama, winning their first title since 2021. Leckie finished with the Joe Marston Medal for player of the match.
The crowd at AAMI Park was at capacity, making it the biggest ever to watch a sporting event at the ground.
Melbourne Victory's title drought now extends, having last won in 2018.
