It's Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets in the 2018 A-League Grand Final, after the Big V upset their Premiership-winning rivals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Sydney FC. 

Besart Berisha was at his beastly best, hunting for a record-breaking 11th finals goal, while the Sky Blues were seeking their eighth consecutive undefeated Big Blue. In the end, neither eventuated, but there was no shortage of thrills and spills along the way.

Victory lost Rhys Williams pre-match to a calf injury, which appeared to motivate Melbourne as Kevin Muscat’s side dominated early proceedings, but to little avail.

Sydney struck first through an unlikely source; Williams’ last-minute replacement, Stefan Nigro, who deflected an Adrian Mierzejewski free kick into his own net.

But an inspired Victory weren't to be outdone, notching an equaliser moments later - through another wicked deflection - via a calm finish from Kosta Barbarouses. 

Following half-time, Victory took the lead through exploiting Sydney's bewildered defending, James Troisi strolling through the Sky Blues' backline for a tap-in. 

Jordy Buijs departed soon after through a back injury in what could be his last appearance for Sydney, but Graham Arnold's side refused to lie down and with 15 seconds remaining, Mierzejewski scrambled a cross that Terry Antonis smacked in for another own goal - Victory's second of the match sending it to extra time.

Redemption is sweet and on the 116th minute the 24-year-old redeemed himself in startling fashion, bustling through two players out wide, bursting into the box and slotting a powerful finish - again deflected - past Andrew Redmayne.

"I can't describe it, emotionally it was crazy to score an own goal, then the winner, it's an unbelievable feeling," Antonis said.

"For the fans, all the Sydney fans giving me crap just gave me more energy. We had a gameplan, we stuck together. We gave it our all tonight."

A shellshocked Alex Brosque said it was "crazy".

"It was just a crazy game. One of those games - that's finals football. A bit of luck sometimes decides the game. It was a very even match, but they got it tonight," he said.

"It's very disappointing, we wanted to be there next week to defend our title. At the end, when it looks like we're going to win, another deflected own goal. 

"That's the game."