Sydney FC have all but secured a second-successive A-League Women premiership after defeating Perth Glory 3-1 in Launceston, but they will be sweating on the fitness of two of their stars.
Back in control of the race for the Premiers Plate after Melbourne City's 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar, Natalie Tobin's 34th-minute strike and Cortnee Vine's second-half brace ensured Sydney FC retained the initiative on Sunday despite Aideen Keane's 86th-minute consolation goal.
Five points clear of City heading into their final game against Adelaide, coach Ante Juric's side will secure the premiership regardless of how City fare in their final two games if they win.
Such is the strength of their goal difference, though, even a draw against the Reds would likely prove enough.
Concerns exist, however, for the fitness of Vine and Jada Whyman.
Vine limped off in the 70th minute with what she said was a calf ailment while Whyman received an inadvertent knee to the face from Keane in second-half injury time and remained on the turf for an extended period.
"It is a bit sore. I'm not too sure what's going on," Vine, who missed the 2020-21 finals through injury, told Paramount+.
"I got kicked in the leg a bit. A bit of nerve stuff going on so I'm not sure where I'm at at the moment."
Whyman would stay on the pitch but was described as looking "rough" by Vine.
Never truly challenged, Tobin's volley off a Mackenzie Hawkesby corner gave Sydney a deserved lead, with Princess Ibini and Vine also going close.
It was 2-0 in the 52nd when Vine used her speed to burst through Glory's lines and launched a deft chip beyond Courtney Newbon.
Vine then had her brace and sealed the win on the hour mark after sprinting onto an Ibini cross slid across the face of the Glory goal to finish from close range.
Whereas Keane's maiden ALW goal provided a positive, Perth's push for the finals now stands on the brink.
A feel-good story of the season after going winless the year prior, they're now two points behind fourth-placed Melbourne Victory heading into their final game.
Possessing a goal difference well back of their rivals, coach Alex Epakis' side's hopes will rely on them beating Wellington Phoenix and Canberra United defeating Victory in the season's final round.
"Sydney was all class today," Natasha Rigby told Paramount+
"We're still fighting! We can still (make finals) now, depends on a couple of other results as well."
