NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) - Striker Kosta Barbarouses scored a disputed early goal and the Melbourne Victory then held on for more than 80 minutes for a 1-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets to win their fourth A-League title.
The Jets were attempting to go from last place in the 2016-17 season to league champions but they fell one match short in a dour grand final before nearly 30,000 spectators at their home stadium in Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Leroy George floated a ball into the box from a long-range free kick. James Donachie rose highest to head across the box and Barbarouses sent the ball past Jets goalkeeper Glen Moss in the ninth minute.
Replays showed that Donachie appeared to be offside when George’s foot made contact with the ball, but the video assistant referee didn’t intervene.
The Jets finished in second place during the regular season and beat Melbourne City 2-1 in the semifinals last weekend, while the Victory beat first place and defending champion Sydney FC 3-2 in extra time.
Newcastle hadn’t appeared in a grand final since 2008, when it won its only A-League title.
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