South Coast Flame crowned 2026 League One Women’s Champions
The Football NSW League One Women’s competition came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday night after a pulsating Grand Final between South Coast Flame FC and Newcastle Jets FC, with the Flame holding their nerve to be crowned 2026 Champions.
Grand Final: South Coast Flame FC 3-2 Newcastle Jets FC
South Coast Flame FC lifted the Championship trophy after defeating Newcastle Jets FC 3-2 in a thrilling Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday night.
The Flame laid the foundations for victory with a dominant first half, racing to a 3-0 lead through a Shaylee Meehan brace and a goal from Cristina Barraza.
But the Jets refused to surrender.
Makayla Clifton scored twice in the second half to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and set up a grandstand finish, with Newcastle throwing everything forward in the closing stages.
The Flame, however, stood firm to complete a remarkable season and lift the Championship trophy.
It was South Coast who created the first chance of the decider, with Sariah Wilson unfurling an effort that went straight to Jets goalkeeper Ally Boertje.
Newcastle responded with an opportunity of their own, Makayla Clifton planting a shot straight at Flame goalkeeper Sophie Emery.
The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute.
A lovely pass released Shaylee Meehan, who kept her composure to tuck the ball home and give South Coast an early 1-0 lead.
The Flame continued to push forward in search of a second.
Emily Kostovski combined with Cristina Barraza, who was able to get a shot away but sent her effort over the crossbar.
The Jets attempted to find a route back into the contest, with Aaliyah Kilroy launching an effort from range that had Emery scrambling.
The Flame goalkeeper remained composed, picking the ball out of the air to keep her side in front.
South Coast doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute.
Another slick attacking move opened up space for Barraza, who produced a composed finish to make it 2-0.
The Jets tried to respond and began to put pressure on the Flame defence.
Their best opportunity came from a Clifton set piece, but Emery was up to the task, punching the dangerous delivery away.
Just when it appeared the Jets might make it to half-time only two goals behind, the Flame struck again.
A precise corner from Alexis Malizis found Meehan, who rose to nod home in the 46th minute and send South Coast into the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Newcastle needed something special after the restart and Clifton was determined to provide it.
The Jets attacker initially fired an effort wide, but continued to pose a threat as Newcastle pushed forward.
The Jets finally cut into the deficit in the 58th minute.
Clifton glided down the left before cutting inside and firing a shot that struck the right post before finding the back of the net to make it 3-1.
Suddenly, the momentum began to shift.
The Jets threw everything they could at the Flame as they searched for another opening, with substitute Layla Sharpe firing an effort that fizzed past the post.
South Coast continued to defend desperately as Newcastle sensed an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The Jets got their reward in the 75th minute.
Mackenzie Preston-Poole produced a lovely pass to put Clifton through, with the attacker making no mistake to complete her brace and reduce the deficit to 3-2.
What had looked like a comfortable South Coast victory at half-time had suddenly become a Grand Final thriller.
Newcastle were soaring towards an equaliser.
Slick movement around the box eventually ended with Matilda Fleming firing over, while Preston-Poole was then fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
Navah Crofton stepped up and lifted the resulting free-kick into the area, but the Flame defence stood firm and swept the danger away.
The Jets continued to huff and puff in search of the equaliser, but South Coast refused to buckle.
The final whistle eventually sounded, sparking huge celebrations among the Flame players, coaching staff and travelling supporters as they were crowned the 2026 Football NSW League One Women’s Champions.
For South Coast Flame, it was the culmination of a remarkable journey.
After qualifying for the finals for the first time, the Flame defeated Marconi Stallions in the Semi-Final before producing another outstanding performance when it mattered most.
Post-match, South Coast Flame coach Daniel Naumovski reflected on the rollercoaster season and Grand Final for his side.
“We executed the game plan perfectly. We spoke about winning the game with a set piece and that happened in the first half. We knew they were going to come back spirited but we held on and dug deep,” Naumovski said.
“This is the spirit of our club and community which was on display tonight and it has been all season for us,” he added.
For the Newcastle Jets coaching staff, the first half ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.
“We gave them too much of a start and the third goal killed us really. It is what it is tonight, we got unlucky despite dominating the game,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, the Jets can look back on an impressive first season in League One Women’s football, reaching the Grand Final after a dramatic Semi-Final penalty shootout victory over Premiers SD Raiders FC.
For South Coast Flame, however, the night belonged to them.
They came, they fought, they believed and now they are Champions.
Match Stats
South Coast Flame FC 3 (Meehan 6’, 45+1’, Barraza 33’)
Newcastle Jets FC 2 (Clifton 58’, 75’)
Sunday 6 September 2026
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Nina Cortese
Assistant Referees: Grace Williams & Emma Chan
Fourth Official: Casey Fleming
South Coast Flame FC: 1. Sophie Emery, 2. Chrystal Duggan, 4. Alexis Malizis, 5. Ruby Blanch, 7. Shaylee Meehan (29. Amelia Porter 83’), 8. Lara Dipple (16. Amanda Radmilo 60’), 10. Cristina Barraza (23. Kaitlyn Colwill 83’), 11. Emily Kostovski, 12. Sariah Wilson, 15. Abbey Crapp (13. Jessie Abbott 73’), 47. Amie Mastop.
Unused subs: 21. Stacey Ellis, 37. Imogen Woolnough, 38. Taya Tolson.
Yellow cards: Dipple 37’, Kostovski 87’, Radmilo 88’
Red cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets FC: 1. Ally Boertje, 5. Aaliyah Kilroy (55. Ruby Murray 71’), 13. Julieanne Fox (38. Isabella Walshe 53’), 15. Lara Turner (70. Matilda Fleming 53’), 17. Lillia Rae, 18. Mackenzie Preston-Poole, 19. Makayla Clifton, 33. Sarah Patmore, 35. Sunny Alston (16. Layla Sharpe 45’), 36. Sophie Howarth, 37. Navah Crofton.
Unused subs: 7. Charlotte Lowrie, 26. Ellie Boulton, 40. Lily-Rose Dunbar.
Yellow cards: Turner 31’
Red cards: Nil
By Justin Davies
