MELBOURNE, May 8 (Reuters) - Premiers' Plate winners Melbourne Victory brushed aside the challenge of Melbourne City to stroll into the A-League Grand Final with a 3-0 demolition in Friday's derby.
Besart Berisha and Kosta Barbarouses scored early goals, while Archie Thompson made the game safe with a late third as the Victory, who topped the table at the end of the regular season, reached the final for the first time in five years.
They will host either Sydney FC or Adelaide United in next week's showpiece and will be confident of success after a strong display against their upstart city rivals, who are backed by wealthy English Premier League outfit Manchester City.