KEY POINTS:
Ernie Merrick's Melbourne Victory lost a third of their 21 games but still did enough to claim the Premiers Plate as winners of the Hyundai A-League.
The late Archie Thompson goal in the 2-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix at the Telstra Dome on Friday night proved crucial.
In winning the opening match of the last round, the Victory took their points tally to 38, which left Adelaide United as the only team with a chance of joining them at the top of the table.
Melbourne's win eliminated Queensland Roar from the race and left Adelaide needing to beat Central Coast Mariners, in the last match of the round, by two goals to take the minor premiership on goal difference.
It was always tight and in the end visiting Adelaide could manage just the one goal - scored in the 81st minute by Cristiano - as they got home 1-0, a result coincidently which would have favoured the Phoenix and earned them the fourth play-off spot had they beaten Melbourne in the round opener.
In failing to edge Melbourne on goal difference - both teams ended the regular season at plus-12 - Adelaide lost out on the count of goals scored. Melbourne, with 39, were the leading scorers ahead of Queensland, 36, with Adelaide only equal fifth with 31.
Queensland, who went into Saturday's home game with Perth still with the chance of holding second (and earning a second life in the play-offs), played their part in swamping the Glory 4-2 after coming from behind and being locked 1-1 at halftime.
In Sunday's early game, Sydney FC made the trip up the coast to play Newcastle Jets (second in the league last season and the grand final winners) needing a win to push the Phoenix out of fifth place on goal difference.
Led by two Alex Brosque first half goals, John Kosmina's team cruised home 4-0 but were left a place short in the race for the play-offs.
Headed by the 28,905 fans who flocked to the Dome to cheer the Victory to victory, the regular season spectator count went beyond one million.
With Melbourne in the play-offs, further huge turnouts can be expected with the record 55,436 - who turned out to watch their 6-0 romp over Adelaide in the 2007 grand final - in their sights.
Despite the late goal rush, the Phoenix' Shane Smeltz held firm to take the Golden Boot which will be presented at the awards ceremony next Monday.
The play-offs begin on February 6 with Central Coast home to Queensland. Adelaide will host Melbourne Victory the following day. The return legs will be played on February 13 and 14 in Brisbane and Melbourne. As the highest-placed teams Melbourne and Queensland had the right to decide when they would play at home.
