A Brendon Santalab hat-trick puts the struggling Wanderers on the cusp of a finals birth following a 3-1 win over Melbourne City

Tim Cahill did the business for Melbourne City on Saturday night, as he has done for so many clubs and his country for so many years.

When Ange Postecoglou picked Adelaide United teenager Riley McGree in the Socceroos squad earlier this week, young A-League players must have asked themselves: "Could that be me?"

Melbourne City midfielder Luke Brattan wants to use the final rounds of the A-League season - and hopefully a title win - as a springboard back to European football.

Melbourne City have been dealt a huge blow, with winger Fernando Brandan likely to spend 12 months on the sidelines after injuring an anterior cruciate ligament.

Normally coaches like to keep the momentum going after a win, but Melbourne City boss Michael Valkanis might be just as happy to be having a week off due to the A-League's split round which keeps his team out of action until March 18.

Five goals, including two own goals, a goalkeeper sent off and a bizarre penalty: no one can complain about the action in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney FC's unbeaten A-League run is over and Tim Cahill senses vulnerability.

Back to full strength, Melbourne City have consolidated their spot in the A-League's top four with a classy 5-1 win over the Phoenix in Wellington.

If Melbourne City are to get back to winning ways and mount a serious title challenge there is one obvious route to success – be like league leaders Sydney.

Melbourne City's history making captain coach Jess Fishlock could yet return to try to lead the team to a triple W-League title next season although no new deal has yet been confirmed.

Matildas co-captain Lisa De Vanna has been cited nine days after charging into Melbourne City's Jess Fishlock off the ball and from behind in Canberra United's W-League semi-final loss.

Melbourne City has became the first club to win consecutive W-League titles after beating Perth Glory 2-0 in the grand final at nib Stadium.

Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis has hailed the quality, commitment and spirit of his youngsters and squad players after they overhauled a 2-0 half-time deficit to force a 2-2 draw with high-flying Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.

Melbourne City player-coach Jess Fishlock insists it's wrong for people to claim the soccer club's wealth is the reason behind their success, saying money can't buy dedication, hard work and passion.

• ANALYSIS

All sports need to showcase their big occasions. Sunday's W-League grand final is one of those occasions.

Melbourne City has conceded more than 300 fouls and picked up the most yellow cards in the A-League this season.

Dean Bouzanis has been handed a five-match A-League ban for calling Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha a "f---ing gypsy" during last weekend's derby.

Tim Cahill has apologised for swearing at A-League referee Chris Beath during last weekend's fiery Melbourne derby, acknowledging his behaviour hurt the game.

Tim Cahill will have to serve a one-match A-League ban on Saturday night when his side entertain Brisbane Roar, even though the bizarre red card he received from referee Chris Beath in last weekend's Melbourne derby was probably given in error.

Tim Cahill is used to making headlines and breaking records in Australian soccer.

It's when a team faces adversity that we really find out just what it is made of.

Anyone having a bet on the race for the A-League golden boot could be forgiven for focusing on the top two strikers who will face off on Saturday night in the third Melbourne derby of the season.

Melbourne City coaching staff are hopeful that marquee man Tim Cahill will be fit to take his place against local rivals Melbourne Victory in the third A-League derby of the season next Saturday night.

Defensive stability and more confidence in front of goal are the priorities for newly confirmed Melbourne City boss Michael Valkanis as he prepares for a challenging match against Newcastle.

Melbourne City interim coach Michael Valkanis can be pleased enough with his results so far: two wins out of three and the latter an unlucky defeat in Adelaide when the champions scored a last gasp winner against the run of play.

It is difficult to overstate the role John Van 't Schip played in the history of the team that started out as Melbourne Heart and then became Melbourne City.

Melbourne City have a task to overcome the shock loss of coach John van 't Schip when they play Western Sydney on Friday night, but their new boss says they're up to it.

John van 't Schip has stepped down as coach of Melbourne City, effective immediately, to return to The Netherlands to contribute to the palliative care of his father.