Melbourne City booked their place in the finals for a third consecutive season, after a first-half onslaught which saw them score three goals.
Goals to Jodie Taylor, Aivi Luik and Yukari Kinga were enough to secure three vital away points for the visitors.
The opening 25 minutes were controlled by City, however they had nothing to show for all their dominance until the 29th minute when Jodie Taylor prodded in her first goal for the glamour club.
It took just four minutes for City to double their advantage when Aivi Luik nodded in from close range.
And when Yukari Kinga slotted the third just before the break, Melbourne had all but sealed their place in the playoffs.
The second half was a much tighter affair, with Newcastle’s backline holding firm, and Brit Eckerstom making a number of reflex saves to deny City a fourth.
Kyah Simon looked to have got herself on the scoresheet midway through the half, but a strong parry from the Jets keeper kept Melbourne at bay.
Katie Stengel worked hard in the front third, as did the tireless Arin Gilliland, however neither could find a way through the defences of Matildas, and City goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
The visitors desperately searched for a fourth late in the game – which would have moved them into third on the ladder – but Kyah Simon blazed two strikes just wide as stoppage time approached.
The 3-0 result means the Jets will travel to Sydney next week to take on the Sky Blues after finishing the regular season in third place.
The moments:
21′ | 0-0 | Gilliland fires away!! Williams with a super-save to deny her. #NEWvMCY.
29′ | 0-1 | Goal for City as Taylor pokes home from point-blank range. #NEWvMCY
33′ | 0-2 | Goal City, Aivi Luik rises highest and doubles the visitors advantage #NEWvMCY
45’+1′ | 0 – 3 | Kinga adds another goal for City just before the break #WLeague #NEWvMCY
49′ | 0 – 3 | CHANCE! So close from the corner! City saved only by the crossbar #WLeague #NEWvMCY
74′ | 0 – 3 | Eckerstrom! A fantastic effort to stop a what would have been a certain goal #WLeague #NEWvMCY
78′ | 0 – 3 | Close call there as Fishlock charged on goal, pushing her strike wide – great defensive pressure from Gilliland! #WLeague #NEWvMCY
85’ | 0 – 3 | CHANCE! Stengel fires from long range, but her strike goes just wide #WLeague #NEWvMCY
Ground: McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Jets: 2.Hannah BREWER, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Sophie NENADOVIC, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18.Clare WHEELER, 23.Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
Subs: 12.Tara ANDREWS, 19. Ash BRODIGAN, 21.Panagiota PETRATOS
Subs Not Used: 20.Claire COEHLO (gk)
Yellow cards: 8.Sophie NENADOVIC (35’), 2.Hannah BREWER (45’)
Red cards:
Goals:
Melbourne City FC: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (C), 9.Jodie TAYLOR, 10.Jess FISHLOCK, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 17.Kyah SIMON
Subs: 4.Ashley HATCH, 15.Amy JACKSON, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC
Subs Not Used: 20.Emily SHIELDS (gk)
Yellow cards:
Red cards:
Goals: 9.Jodie TAYLOR (29’), 6.Aivi LUIK (33’), 2.Yukari KINGA, (45’+1’)
