The 2023 A-League Men finals series was the 18th annual edition of A-League finals series, the playoffs tournament staged to determine the champion of the 2022–23 A-League Men season. The series was played over four weeks culminating in the 2023 A-League Men Grand Final, where the Central Coast Mariners won their second championship 6–1 against premiers Melbourne City.
It featured the first A-League Men Grand Final played at a fixed location (outside the 2020 Grand Final), which was played at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, based on an Australian Professional Leagues decision in December 2022 for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 A-Leagues Grand Finals to be played in Sydney in a deal with Destination NSW, which met fan backlash and soonly scrapped in October 2023.
Qualification
Melbourne City was first to qualify for the 2023 finals series at Round 21, after a 1–1 draw with Macarthur FC and to claim the league premiership with two rounds left. Central Coast Mariners finished second as the other team heading directly into the semi-finals with Melbourne City. Elimination-finalists Adelaide United, Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix were the other four qualifying for the finals series.
Venues SydneyMelbourneAllianz StadiumCommBank StadiumAAMI ParkCapacity: 42,500Capacity: 30,000Capacity: 30,050GosfordAdelaideIndustree Group StadiumCoopers StadiumCapacity: 20,059Capacity: 16,500
Bracket The system used for the 2023 A-League Men finals series is the modified top-six play-offs by the A-Leagues. The top two teams enter the two-legged semi-finals receiving the bye for the elimination-finals in which the teams from third placed to sixth place enter the elimination-finals with "third against sixth" and "fourth against fifth". Losers for the elimination-finals are eliminated, and winners qualify for the two-legged semi-finals.
First placed team in the semi-finals plays the lowest ranked elimination-final winning team and secon placed team in the semi-finals plays the highest ranked elimination-final winner. Home-state advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position, except for the Grand Final in this series.
Elimination-finals Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix The first elimination-finals match occurred between third-placed Adelaide United and sixth-placed Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium. Adelaide won 2–0 thanks to a Craig Goodwin double into the two-legged semi-finals.
GK 46 Joe GauciRB 21 Javi LópezCB 4 Nick Ansell CB 3 Ben WarlandLB 7 Ryan KittoDM 8 IsaíasDM 18 Jay Barnett RM 26 Ben HalloranCM 6 Louis D'ArrigoLM 11 Craig GoodwinCF 14 George Blackwood Substitutes:FW 66 Nestory Irankunda FW 9 Hiroshi Ibusuki MF 55 Ethan AlagichDF 13 Lachlan Barr GK 1 James DelianovFW 35 Luka JovanovicFW 36 Panashe MadanhaManager: Carl Veart GK 20 Oliver SailRB 17 Callan ElliotCB 4 Scott WoottonCB 6 Tim PayneLB 12 Lucas MauragisDM 14 Alex Rufer DM 5 Steven Ugarkovic RM 31 Yan SasseLM 7 Kosta Barbarouses RF 9 Oskar ZawadaLF 10 David BallSubstitutes:MF 11 Bozhidar KraevMF 23 Clayton Lewis FW 24 Oskar van Hattum DF 21 Joshua LawsGK 40 Alex PaulsenMF 13 Nicholas PenningtonDF 3 Finn SurmanManager: Ufuk Talay
Assistant referees: Greg Taylor Brad Wright Fourth official: Daniel Elder Video assistant referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones Assistant video assistant referees: Alex King Kearney Robinson
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC
The second elimination-finals match occurred between fourth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers and fifth-placed Sydney FC at Bankwest Stadium; the first time a Sydney Derby was played in the finals series of the A-League Men. Despite Wanderers scoring first through a Morgan Schneiderlin penalty, Sydney made the comeback 2–1 over Western Sydney sent them to the two-legged semi-finals via Róbert Mak and Adam Le Fondre.
GK 20 Lawrence ThomasRB 31 Aidan SimmonsCB 5 Tomislav Mrčela CB 6 MarceloLB 3 Adama Traoré RM 28 Calem NieuwenhofCM 4 Morgan SchneiderlinLM 17 Romain Amalfitano AM 10 Miloš NinkovićRF 11 Amor Layouni LF 26 Brandon BorrelloSubstitutes:MF 16 Tom Beadling FW 14 Nicolas Milanovic FW 23 Yeni N'Gbakoto DF 19 Daniel Wilmering FW 9 Kusini Yengi MF 8 Oliver BozanicGK 1 Daniel MargushManager: Marko Rudan GK 1 Andrew RedmayneRB 23 Rhyan GrantCB 6 Jack RodwellCB 4 Alex WilkinsonLB 3 Joel KingRM 17 Anthony CaceresCM 26 Luke BrattanCM 8 Paulo Retre LM 11 Róbert MakRF 22 Max Burgess LF 9 Adam Le FondreSubstitutes:FW 10 Joe Lolley MF 28 Jake Girdwood-Reich DF 2 James Donachie FW 19 Adrian Segecic DF 18 Diego CaballoGK 20 Tom Heward-BelleFW 12 Patrick WoodManager: Steve Corica
Assistant referees: Anton Shchetinin Ashley Beecham Fourth official: Jack Morgan Video assistant referee: Alex King Assistant video assistant referees: Kris Griffiths-Jones Kearney Robinson
Semi-finals
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City Sydney FC qualified for the two-legged semi-finals against Melbourne City starting off at home at Allianz Stadium which finished as a 1–1 draw with Mathew Leckie scoring first for City and Adam Le Fondre equalizing in a second-half penalty. The following week at AAMI Park, saw City breeze 4–0 with goals by Curtis Good, Marco Tilio, Richard van der Venne and an own goal winning 5–1 on aggregate heading to the Grand Final.
GK 1 Andrew RedmayneRB 23 Rhyan GrantCB 6 Jack RodwellCB 4 Alex WilkinsonLB 3 Joel KingDM 26 Luke BrattanDM 8 Paulo Retre RM 17 Anthony CaceresCM 22 Max Burgess LM 11 Róbert Mak CF 9 Adam Le Fondre Substitutes:FW 10 Joe Lolley MF 28 Jake Girdwood-Reich FW 12 Patrick Wood DF 18 Diego Caballo DF 2 James DonachieGK 20 Tom Heward-BelleFW 19 Adrian SegecicManager: Steve Corica GK 1 Tom GloverRB 25 Callum Talbot CB 4 Nuno ReisCB 22 Curtis GoodLB 38 Jordan BosDM 14 Valon BerishaDM 10 Florin Berenguer RM 23 Marco TilioCM 8 Richard van der Venne LM 7 Mathew LeckieCF 9 Jamie MaclarenSubstitutes:FW 15 Andrew Nabbout DF 3 Scott Jamieson DF 6 Thomas Lam FW 35 Raphael Borges RodriguesFW 37 Max CaputoDF 2 Scott GallowayGK 33 Matt SuttonManager: Rado Vidošić
Assistant referees: Greg Taylor Isaac Trevis Fourth official: Jonathan Barreiro Video assistant referee: Shaun Evans Assistant video assistant referees: Chris Beath Sarah Ho
Melbourne City vs Sydney FC Melbourne City won 5–1 on aggregate.
GK 1 Tom GloverRB 4 Nuno ReisCB 6 Thomas LamCB 22 Curtis Good LB 38 Jordan Bos DM 13 Aiden O'Neill RM 15 Andrew NabboutCM 14 Valon Berisha CM 7 Mathew Leckie LM 23 Marco TilioCF 9 Jamie MaclarenSubstitutes:MF 8 Richard van der Venne DF 3 Scott Jamieson DF 25 Callum Talbot MF 10 Florin Berenguer DF 2 Scott Galloway FW 37 Max CaputoGK 33 Matt SuttonManager: Rado Vidošić GK 1 Andrew RedmayneRB 23 Rhyan GrantCB 4 Alex WilkinsonCB 6 Jack RodwellLB 3 Joel KingDM 26 Luke BrattanDM 8 Paulo Retre RM 17 Anthony CaceresCM 22 Max BurgessLM 19 Adrian Segecic CF 9 Adam Le Fondre Substitutes:MF 28 Jake Girdwood-Reich FW 10 Joe Lolley FW 12 Patrick Wood DF 18 Diego CaballoDF 2 James DonachieGK 20 Tom Heward-BelleFW 25 Jaiden KucharskiManager: Steve Corica
Assistant referees: George Lakrindis Owen Goldrick Fourth official: Daniel Elder Video assistant referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones Assistant video assistant referees: Kate Jacewicz Richard Naumovski
Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners Adelaide United qualified for the two-legged semi-finals against Central Coast Mariners starting off at back home at Coopers Stadium which despite Adelaide scoring first, had Central Coast comeback 2–1. The following week at Industree Group Stadium fully attended, Central Coast extended their advantage by winning 2–0 thanks to goals by Samuel Silvera and Marco Túlio; winning 4–1 on aggregate to qualify for the Grand Final against Melbourne City.
GK 46 Joe GauciRB 21 Javi LópezCB 4 Nick AnsellCB 3 Ben WarlandLB 7 Ryan KittoDM 8 IsaíasRM 26 Ben Halloran CM 10 Zach Clough CM 6 Louis D'ArrigoLM 11 Craig GoodwinCF 9 Hiroshi Ibusuki Substitutes:FW 66 Nestory IrankundaFW 14 George Blackwood FW 36 Panashe Madanha MF 55 Ethan AlagichDF 13 Lachlan BarrGK 1 James DelianovDF 41 Alexandar PopovicManager: Carl Veart GK 20 Danny VukovicRB 15 Storm RouxCB 25 Nectarios TriantisCB 3 Brian KaltakLB 5 James McGarry RM 7 Samuel Silvera CM 6 Max BalardCM 4 Josh Nisbet LM 11 Béni NkololoRF 9 Jason Cummings LF 98 Marco Túlio Substitutes:DF 18 Jacob FarrellMF 10 Moresche MF 13 Harry Steele DF 23 Dan Hall FW 31 Christian TheoharousGK 24 Yaren SözerFW 14 Dylan Wenzel-HallsManager: Nick Montgomery
Assistant referees: Kearney Robinson Daniel Ilievski Fourth official: Jack Morgan Video assistant referee: Chris Beath Assistant video assistant referees: Shaun Evans Sarah Ho
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United Central Coast Mariners won 4–1 on aggregate.
GK 20 Danny VukovicRB 15 Storm Roux CB 25 Nectarios TriantisCB 3 Brian KaltakLB 5 James McGarry RM 11 Béni NkololoCM 4 Josh NisbetCM 6 Max Balard LM 7 Samuel SilveraRF 98 Marco Túlio LF 9 Jason CummingsSubstitutes:DF 18 Jacob Farrell FW 31 Christian Theoharous MF 13 Harry Steele DF 23 Dan Hall MF 10 Moresche GK 24 Yaren SözerFW 14 Dylan Wenzel-HallsManager: Nick Montgomery GK 46 Joe GauciRB 21 Javi López CB 41 Alexandar PopovicCB 3 Ben WarlandLB 7 Ryan KittoDM 6 Louis D'Arrigo DM 8 IsaíasRM 10 Zach Clough CM 55 Ethan Alagich LM 11 Craig GoodwinCF 26 Ben HalloranSubstitutes:FW 66 Nestory Irankunda FW 14 George Blackwood MF 23 Luke Duzel FW 36 Panashe Madanha DF 13 Lachlan BarrGK 1 James DelianovFW 35 Luka JovanovicManager: Carl Veart
Assistant referees: David Walsh Brad Wright Fourth official: Jonathan Barreiro Video assistant referee: Kate Jacewicz Assistant video assistant referees: Kris Griffiths-Jones Richard Naumovski
Grand Final
The Grand Final featured Melbourne City in their fourth consecutive Grand Final, against the Central Coast Mariners appearing in their first Grand Final in a decade and fifth overall. Central Coast scored the first and second goals through Jason Cummings and Samuel Silvera, with City getting one back by substitute Richard van der Venne, with Mariners leading 2–1 at half time. Since, they scored through two penalties by Cummings completing his hat-trick and further goals by Béni Nkololo and Moresche in stoppage time. Central Coast Mariners became champions of the A-League Men after defeating Melbourne City 6–1 in the Grand Final.
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