American striker Haley,a first-year player unscarred by Sydney’s previous grand final heartbreaks,was the star – earning praise for her influence on the play from Cortnee Vine and Ibini,who after the match dubbed her a “cheat code”.

“When you’ve got one hand on the trophy,essentially you gotta go and win it,” Haley said. “So that’s kind of what I was focused on. It probably helped a bit that I didn’t have the history.”

Sydney drew first blood in the fourth minute when Hawkesby looped a corner to the back post and Haley rose highest over Tyla-Jay Vlajnic to head home.

Adriana Taranto and Keane had chances in the eighth and 14th minutes but Sydney doubled their lead in the 18th minute.

Hawkesby curled in another back-post corner and Haley flicked the ball on for captain Tobin,in her 100th game,to head home.

Matildas winger Vine rolled her left ankle in a challenge with Alana Cerne in the 22nd minute but battled through pain to trouble goalkeeper Hillary Beall multiple times without besting her.

Sydney goalkeeper Jada Whyman denied United three times in quick succession late in the half.

She claimed a Sydney Cummings long-range effort in the 36th minute,then a minute later got down low to deny Keane and in the 40th,came off her line to brilliantly block a Taranto shot.

The game was effectively over in the 63rd minute after Ibini surged into the area and was pulled back by Stacey Papadopoulos.

Ibini,the only player involved in Sydney’slast grand final win four years earlier,coolly dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom corner before celebrating with Sydney’s fans.

Haley put an exclamation mark on the win in the 91st minute.

“I can’t believe we did it!” said Sydney captain Tobin. “Those last three grand final losses were heartbreaking,but now it’s just elation.”

AAP

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