A late strike from recruit Momo Hayashi has fired Melbourne City to a comeback 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in their A-League Women grand final rematch.
Last season's runners-up Wellington looked poised to flip the script on Sunday after Makala Woods opened the scoring at Hnry Stadium with her 51st-minute strike.
But Wellington's ill-discipline would prove their undoing, with Emma Main first clipping the feet of Taylor Ray in the penalty box.
Melina Ayres converted the penalty in the 73rd minute, before 'Nix defender Lara Wall fouled Kelli McGroarty to give away another free kick in dangerous territory.
It was former Brisbane Roar midfielder Momo Hayashi's turn to take the kick, and the Japanese dynamo delivered in the 87th minute with a wonderful strike just outside the box.
After claiming their fifth championship with a 3-1 triumph, City on Sunday continued their winning ways over the 'Nix - having won all 10 league matches since 2022 between the two clubs.
City also extend their undefeated streak to 11 games, last suffering defeat in February, when they had a shock round-11 loss to Western Sydney last season.
Hayashi and Ayres opened their new life at City in style, among the new faces in coach Michael Matricciani's squad after a raft of player departures in the off-season.
Grand final hero and golden boot winner Holly McNamara (Everton) headlined the departing players, joined by midfielders Leticia McKenna (Nottingham Forrest), Leah Davidson (Charlton) and Laura Hughes (Southampton), defender Alexia Apostolakis (Bristol City) and Bryleeh Henry (Rosengard) in leaving champions City.
While Hayashi is embarking on a new era, Ayres is starting her second chapter at City, having signed her first professional contract with the ALW outfit aged 16.
The 27-year-old had left in 2017 and had various stints across the ALW, most recently playing at the Newcastle Jets.
Matildas' World Cup hero Cortnee Vine also made her debut for City on Sunday after sealing a return to the ALW from the NWSL.
Looking to go one step further this season, Wellington Phoenix landed their own Matildas signing after luring Brisbane Roar icon Tameka Yallop across the Tasman.
Central midfielder Yallop was typically influential on the pitch on Sunday, but couldn't rally the troops to stop City's comeback.