It was sweet relief at last for South Melbourne who finally put to bed the ghosts of finals past with a nervy 1-0 win over Heidelberg United.
An underwhelming start to the contest saw neither side give an inch as they battled hard but ultimately refused to escape their cul-de-sac in the opening half.
The Bergers were the better of the two sides however, with Laura Di Clemente – who looked the only genuine goal threat – proving to be a rare bright spark.
Penny Bakopoulos was the other to trouble the keeper as the defender pushed forward to slam a thunderous drive into the outstretched arm of Shanel Camilleri.
Di Clemente then came into her own as she dinked an effort out to the far post which was again fantastically stopped by South Melbourne’s shot-stopper.
She then again came close in the dying embers of the half as the forward toe poked towards the near post from point blank, but again was thwarted by Camilleri who stood firm.
The early moments of the second half saw about as much action as the grass growing on the far side of Lakeside. Progress was made, but it was a slow and arduous process.
WPL coach of the season John Kyrgios cut an animated figure on the sidelines, while the more docile Matt Maslak urged his side on with a calm demeanour that undermined the growing unrest that three lost finals in two years built up.
When midfielder Natalie Martineau broke in the 77th minute, the relief was palpable as the tension of past failures was released with one fell swoop.
The Canadian was on hand to put the ball home from inside the box and send the home support into raptures.
Heidelberg pushed hard in the latter stages of the contest and when Di Clemente found herself open in the box, it looked as if the Bergers might just send the game into a deciding 30 minutes.
Alas, her option to pass back to Julia Nicolaci ensured the attack counter for nothing as South ran out winners in a tight affair, even despite Belinda Pannella speculative late attempt which fizzed past the left stick.
It was hardly an inspiring contest, but it counted all the same for South Melbourne who matched the feats that their men’s affiliate achieved in season 2014.
South Melbourne 1 (Martineau 77′) defeated Heidelberg United 0 at Lakeside Stadium
Player of the match: Natalie Martineau
South Melbourne Women’s: 1. Shanel Cammileri, 6. Alex Cheal, 20. Natalie Brajanovski, 9. Sarah Sumner, 4. Chloe Drinoczky, 17. Alison Baker, 8. Lauren Faruggia, 3. Natalie Martineau, 5. Laura Spiranovic, 7. Tijen Hussein, 10. Rhea Schreuder (16. Marianna Anthony 46′)
Unused Substitute(s): 12. Elle Juliano, 14. Alanah Giuliano, , 18. Cassey Aaron, 19. Deryal Aziz
Yellow Card(s): Brajanovski 67′, Sumner 73′
Red Card(s): Nil
Heidelberg United: 21. Kelsey Quinn, 4. Michelle Verzi, 5. Angie Rassias 6. Renee Zairis, 9. Belinda Pannella, 10. Elise Kyrgios, 11. Penny Bakapoulos, 12. Julia Nicolaci, 16. Kendra Jones (30. Holly Tsalikidis 83′), 44. Laura Di Clemente, 52. Maggiu Eudes (15. Demi Kallianis 74′)
Unused Substitute(s): 13. Maree Vouthas, 8. Ebru Hasan, 54. Sadie Murphy
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil