Ninja A-League: 2026 Finals Series confirmed as Sydney FC avoid Wooden Spoon
Ninja A-League: 2026 Finals Series confirmed as Sydney FC avoid Wooden Spoon The final round of the regular Ninja A-League season has now been played. While Melbourne City wrapped up the Premiers Plate a few weeks ago, there was still the race to make the Finals and an all-Sydney affair to avoid the Wooden Spoon to be decided. Western Sydney Wanderers had the bye this week, so their fate was out of their hands.
They needed Central Coast Mariners to beat city rivals Sydney FC to avoid finishing bottom, below the Sky Blues. Here’s how the final weekend played out. Adelaide United 0-2 Wellington Phoenix Wellington Phoenix rounded off an historic season with a win in Adelaide that guarantees them a place in the semi-finals.
Marisa van der Meer put the visitors ahead on the half hour as she met Brooke Nunn’s cross and powered her header past Claudia Jenkins. Nunn turned goalscorer just four minutes later. It was another header, this time from Manaia Elliott’s corner.
Adelaide nearly found a way back into the game when Grace Jale headed a corner towards her own net, but the Nix ran out comfortable winners for whom Nunn went close late on. Perth Glory 0-1 Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory went into this game knowing only a win would keep their season alive. Gabby Hollar thought she’d given the hosts an early lead with a sublime back heel only to see the goal ruled out by the offside flag.
It was Victory who struck first when Claudia Bunge nodded home Alana Jančevski’s corner at the back post. The visitors should’ve doubled their advantage late on, but Sofia Sokalis was denied by alert goalkeeping from Teresa Morrisey. Jeff Hopkins’ side held on to sneak into the post-season.