Central Coast Mariners have sealed the A-League premiership crown, depriving Wellington Phoenix with a 2-0 win over Adelaide in their final regular season game.
Wellington led the competition table by a single point, after completing their schedule with a 3-0 win over Macarthur FC last weekend, but with a game in hand, Mariners needed only a draw to claim the silverware on a countback of wins or victory to finish clear of their Kiwi rivals.
Goals to defender Jacob Farrell in the 36th minute and and Max Balard in the 76th minute were enough to see the defending A-League champions home in torrential rain, claiming their third regular season title and first since 2012.
Farrell scored his, when a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area found him in front of goal and he nudged the ball past Adelaide keeper Ethan Cox. Balard pounced on some lax Adelaide defence to steal the ball inside the box and slot home a rightfooted effort past Cox.
Former Phoenix goalkeeper, now Central Coast captain Danny Vukovic was named Player of the Match, as his team now try for a trophy treble - the Premiers Plate, the A-League championship and AFC Cup.
They face Al-Ahed of Lebanon in the Asian final on Sunday and enjoy a bye in the opening round of A-League playoffs.
"It feels amazing," reflected Vukovic. "I couldn't have hoped to have gone as good as we have in my two years back at the club.
"It's a special place to me and we capped off an amazing season with a good win tonight."
The Phoenix virtually conceded the Premiers Plate last month, when Mariners midfield Mikael Doka scored an added-time goal for a 2-1 win over their closest rivals at Gosford.
Wellington finish second - still their best-ever A-League result - and also earn a playoff bye, before hosting a semi-final at Sky Stadium.
