Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry said it was a surreal feeling knowing her side would be playing in the grand final.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been working for this for five years,\u201d Barry told Sky Sport. \u201cI\u2019m so happy, it\u2019s hard to explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2018s overwhelming and I feel so proud of this club. We\u2019ve gone through it, we\u2019ve had two bottom of the table and now we\u2019ve been building up and here we are in the final.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re creating a legacy … it\u2019s hard for me to comprehend that we\u2019ve made history, but it\u2019s so amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barry anchored the defence while the likes of Brooke Nunn and Manaia Elliott were crafty and creative with the ball at their feet.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix entered the second leg trailing 2-1 on aggregate after last weekend\u2019s first-leg defeat in Brisbane. <\/p>\n
Phoenix player Makala Woods celebrates scoring against Brisbane. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Knowing they needed to score first to level the tie, the Phoenix came out aggressively and dominated possession early, but were unable to turn that control into clear-cut chances.<\/p>\n
Roar forward Daisy Brown had a golden chance to give her side a two-goal buffer, but she was denied by Phoenix goalkeeper Vic Esson.<\/p>\n
That turned out to be a crucial miss as the Phoenix struck moments later through Woods just before halftime, which levelled the match 2-2 on aggregate.<\/p>\n
The goal came from nice work at the back, where the Phoenix won the ball before Pia Vlok played a through ball to Woods, who chipped Roar keeper Chloe Lincoln with her first touch.<\/p>\n
In the second half, the Phoenix had a great chance to score again when the ball pinballed around the penalty box, but Woods\u2019 strike went over the crossbar.<\/p>\n
As the game progressed, tensions increased and opportunities were scarce, although both sides had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.<\/p>\n
Woods then had a chance to win it for the Phoenix in the 96th minute with the final kick of the game, but her shot was saved by Lincoln before getting the ball back to her feet. The rebound effort came off the post as the match went to extra time.<\/p>\n
Woods then struck the winner when she pounced on a mistake made by the Brisbane defence, firing home the shot from just inside the box.<\/p>\n
The result means the Phoenix will get to play for silverware in what has been a historic campaign. <\/p>\n
Under first-year coach Bev Priestman, they made the finals for the first time, finishing second on the ladder with 34 points, surpassing their previous best of eighth.<\/p>\n
Awaiting the Phoenix in the grand final on Saturday at AAMI Park are Melbourne City, a side they have never beaten.<\/p>\n