10 Apr 2016

Adelaide win A-League Premiership Plate

6:20 am on 10 April 2016

Adelaide United are the A-League premiers with Melbourne Victory and goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas denying Brisbane's ambitions in a steely stalemate at AAMI Park.

Adelaide United players celebrate a goal.

Adelaide United players celebrate a goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Against a weakened Victory outfit, Brisbane needed a win to sit on top of the ladder at the close of the season but came up short against an inspired home side.

Thomas made an incredible reaction save to deny James Donachie in injury time, following up fine efforts to keep out Jamie Maclaren and super-sub Henrique's efforts.

The result confirms Adelaide's astonishing transformation from zeroes to heroes, after sitting on the bottom of the competition, winless after eight rounds.

After a 2-0 away win over Melbourne City on Friday night, United watched and waited from Adelaide, needing the Roar to slip up against the Victory.

Their arch-rivals duly delivered as Brisbane bottled their chance to win the premiership in John Aloisi's first season in charge, handing the Reds a first trophy in a decade.

Should Western Sydney triumph against the Phoenix on Sunday, Brisbane will slip to third place and miss a crucial week off in the finals campaign.

If the Wanderers win, the two teams will meet again next week in Queensland in an elimination final.

The match was also Gui Finkler's last home appearance for the Victory, having agreed a move next season to Wellington.