Melbourne Victory won 11 A-League games out of 52 across two seasons between 2019-21.
But led by new coach Tony Popovic, the powerhouse club started a new era with a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in the FFA Cup final on Saturday night.
A brilliant second-half free kick by Jason Davidson and Chris Ikonomidis' sizzling stoppage time volley sealed the trophy, but there were a few nerves at AAMI Park when Oliver Bozanic pulled a goal back with nearly the last kick of the game.
After losing four A-League grand finals with Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory, it was the first time Popovic had tasted success in a final on Australian soil, as Victory wiped away the pain of the past two seasons to win the FFA Cup for a second time
In front of a raucous crowd at AAMI Park, Victory dominated much of the contest, as the Mariners sat deep looking to surprise their opposition on the counter.
It took a stunning free kick from Davidson on 70 minutes to break the deadlock, with the left-back curling a wonderful strike into the corner at which Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was standing.
The Mariners had their best period of the match in response, but still couldn't make any clear cut chances to get themselves back in the game.
As Central Coast pushed forward in stoppage time, Victory sprung a counter in the 95th minute, with Francesco Margiotta finding Ikonomidis with a wonderful cross-field pass, before the Socceroo brought the ball down and lashed a volley into the bottom corner to send the fans delirious.
There was time for Bozanic to pull a goal back in the 97th minute, with a looping shot nestling in the net after a scramble in the penalty area.
But the night was Melbourne Victory's, as their midfielder Jake Brimmer and Mariners defender Kye Rowles shared the Mark Viduka medal for best afield.
