This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Brisbane Roar have won the W-League premiership for the third time, easing past Canberra United 4-1 to finish the regular season on top of the ladder.

The Roar needed a draw or victory at Suncorp Stadium to clinch their first piece of silverware since 2013 after second-placed Sydney FC smashed Western Sydney 4-1 earlier on Sunday.

Adelaide too good for Glory, and Jets down Victory Read more

But they never looked in doubt, with Matildas pair Hayley Raso and Emily Gieknik each scoring from corner kicks to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage at the interval, before a late double from substitute Abbey Lloyd iced the result.

It caps a big turnaround for Brisbane, who finished seventh last season in coach Melissa Andreatta’s first campaign in charge.

“We’re so excited. We knew we had to come out here and put on a show and we did just that,” Raso said. “After a few tough seasons we’re just stronger than ever.”

Canberra had nothing to play for but pride after Melbourne City’s 3-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday ended their top-four hopes. It’s just the second time in the capital club’s 10-year history they have not qualified for the finals.

Raso’s 11th-minute opener was a gift from United defender Toni Pressley, who inadvertently cushioned Carson Pickett’s dead-ball delivery right into her path. She promptly pounced on the opportunity and could have had a first-half hat-trick after spurning two other golden chances, while Katrina Gorry also rattled the crossbar.

Five minutes before the break, Gielnik smashed the ball home at the near post to make it two for Brisbane. Lloyd then latched onto an errant backpass from Aoife Colville for their third goal in the 72th minute. Canberra’s Elise Thorsnes followed it up two minutes later with a sizzling volley. But Lloyd wasn’t done, smashing home from close range in added time after collecting the rebound from her own shot, which cannoned off the upright.

Brisbane face a tough semi-final next weekend against perennial contenders City, who were untroubled in their rout of the third-placed Jets.

“That’s finals football, you want to be playing the best teams in the final four,” Roar skipper Clare Polkinghorne said. “They’re all tough games so we’ll be looking for a really tough physical game next week.”

Newcastle will meet an in-form Sydney in the other semi.

On Friday night, wooden spooners Adelaide United beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 courtesy of goals from Makenzy Doniak and Jenna McCormick.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sydney FC powered to a 4-1 victory over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Earlier on Sunday, Sydney FC made a strong statement of intent ahead of the W-League finals series with an efficient 4-1 dismantling of rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.

Sydney raced to a three-goal halftime lead and added a fourth within seconds of the restart, with the gulf in class clearly evident against a Wanderers side playing only for pride.



Chloe Logarzo opened the floodgates on 25 minutes in a spectacular fashion with a 20-metre strike that went in off the inside off the post to the delight of a festive crowd at Seymour Shaw Park in Sydney’s south.



The lead was doubled within minutes as Caitlin Foord, having uncharacteristically failed to convert several openings, netted from close range thanks to Lisa De Vanna’s assist.



Defender Caitlin Cooper headed home a corner before halftime, and Sydney could have been further in front but for the profligacy of Foord and De Vanna.



It got even worse for the Wanderers who were unable to avoid a record derby defeat as Remy Siemsen extended the lead just moments after the interval.



The Wanderers pulled a goal back through Dutch defender Maruschka Waldus in the latter stages, but a disappointing day continued for the visitors with midfielder Olivia Price exiting with a serious looking knee injury.



“It was a very solid showing after grinding out results the past few weeks, but this was a more solid football performance,” said Sydney FC coach Ante Juric.



Despite extending their undefeated run to nine matches, Sydney were unable to overhaul Brisbane Roar for the Premiers Plate as the Queenslanders maintained their three-point lead with a 4-1 win over Canberra.



Sydney FC, who are seeking a first championship since their Sam Kerr-inspired victory in 2013, will now take on Newcastle Jets in next weekend’s semi-final.



“Hopefully we can start capitalising in the finals [on missed chances] but I can’t begrudge the players because they are going forward at every opportunity.”

W-LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets: Leichhardt Oval, 4.45pm AEDT - Saturday, 10 Feb

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City: Perry Park, 4pm AEDT - Sunday, 11 Feb