City, Sydney FC to face off for record ALW championship

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mackenzie Hawkesby is just fantastic. The midfielder was everywhere for Sydney FC against Central Coast, including pouncing to score the opening goal. Her two goals across the two legs were ultimately the difference in the 2-1 aggregate win, and the Sky Blues will hope her ankle injury picked up late in Saturday's 1-1 draw isn't too serious.

KEY STAT: City and Sydney will face off in the grand final with a record on the line. Both clubs have four ALW championships to their name and will attempt to be the first team to claim a fifth.

BEAT THAT: City's first goal in their 3-0 win over Newcastle was special. Young gun Daniela Galic showed some surgical precision to slip through fellow attacking midfielder Rhianna Pollicina, who made no mistake with the finish that secured City's spot in the grand final.

UNDER PRESSURE: After Sydney FC drew a crowd of more than 7000 to Leichhardt Oval, City had a far smaller turnout at AAMI Park for a game that was part of a double-header with a later men's fixture. The pressure is on the league to make sure the grand final is stand-alone - and on City fans to turn up.

TALKING POINT: The two-legged semi-finals were new this season and made for fascinating contests. Central Coast kept their tie alive, but Newcastle were realistically done after losing to City 3-0 first-up.

THEY SAID IT: "We've proven a lot of people wrong this year, but we know that the second year will be even harder because the expectation is there, so we've got to make sure that we get it right." - Mariners coach Emily Husband won't rest over the off-season.

WHAT'S NEXT: City and Sydney will chase silverware while their rivals lick their wounds and start preparations for next season.