Central Coast have toppled reigning champions Sydney FC 3-1 in their A-League Women opening-round showdown.
Denied a grand final berth by the Sky Blues just six months ago, the Mariners emerged victorious in their semi-final rematch courtesy of a Jade Pennock special at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford.
The hosts drew first blood from the spot after Sydney recruit Millie Farrow's arm deflected a Peta Trimis attempt at goal in the 40th minute.
New signing Pennock, on loan from Birmingham City, bested new Sky Blues goalkeeper Brianna Edwards for the lead.
Grand final hero Shea Connors fell centimetres short of an equaliser in the 52nd minute before Pennock nutmegged Nat Tobin to set up Isabel Gomez's goal just ten minutes later.
Substitute Princess Ibini netted on 83 minutes for the visitors but a Bianca Galic goal undid her efforts, again with help from Pennock.
Sydney captain Tobin was playing in her first game since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament last season, while Matildas star and ex-Mariner Kyah Simon was a notable absentee.
Also on Saturday, Emily Gielnik laid down her case for a Matildas recall with a well-taken brace in Melbourne Victory's 3-2 win over Adelaide United, while Canberra United beat Brisbane Roar 3-2 thanks to Maja Markovski's brace.
At McKellar Park, Markovski, who spent a season out of the league after she was released by the Victory, scored in the 15th minute before teenager Mary Stanic-Floody volleyed home in the 31st.
Brisbane hit back when Sharn Freier teed up Bulgarian recruit Evdokiya Popadinova from close-range.
But Markovski scored again in the 56th minute, before an 89th-minute free kick from Deborah-Anne De La Harpe made for a nervous finish.
Ava Briedis was Melbourne Victory's late hero in Adelaide.
Gielnik latched onto a wonderful cross from recruit Nicki Flannery to open the scoring after just four minutes, but Fiona Worts equalised just two minutes later.
Alana Jancesvki, three minutes into first-half added time, burst down the left and lofted a ball towards Gielnik, who, with the sun in her eyes, headed home.
Worts bundled home an equaliser in the 71st minute after Courtney Newbon, replacing the injured Lydia Williams, parried a save into her path.
Victory prevailed when youngster Briedis cut onto her right in the 94th minute for a wonderful long-range finish.
