After a topsy turvey weekend of results in which neither the composition of the top-four nor their final placings were determined until the last minute of the final round, Canberra emerged on top and as favourites to host the Grand Final.

City knew that their 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets on Friday night, through second-half goals to Erika Tymrak and a stoppage-time sealer by Amy Jackson, had lifted them into the top-four and would guarantee them a spot in the play-offs.

They just didn't know against whom and where.

Canberra's 5-1 destruction of bottom of the ladder Melbourne Victory on Saturday afternoon put the team from the ACT top of the ladder, but their position there was on sufferance until Sunday afternoon's final two games.

Had Sydney FC won in Adelaide then the Sky Blues would have topped the table and been in the driver's seat to host the Grand Final. But they crashed 5-2 to Adelaide United.

That meant Perth Glory, who began the round knowing they could finish almost anywhere in the top four, could leap into second place and at least gain a first home final if they were able to win at Western Sydney Wanderers.

With the clock ticking well into stoppage time the Perth game looked set to end in a scoreless draw, which would have seen them finish third and facing an away trip in the semi-finals.

But in the 92nd minute the women from the west grabbed a winner through second-half substitute Caitlin Doegles, ensuring they finished in second spot.

So the first week of the semi finals will pit Canberra United against Melbourne City, with Sydney travelling to Perth.

❑ City's women might struggle to retain the league title they won in such imperious fashion last season, but the club's young male players have plenty to celebrate after winning the National Youth League title for the second time in three years with a thrilling 3-2 win in extra time over Sydney FC's youngsters.

Two goals from Braedyn Crowley – including a penalty in an extraordinary long stoppage time which lasted more than 11 minutes – and another second half spot kick from Daniel Arzani gave City the victory at Central Coast Stadium.

Crowley opened the scoring midway through the first half before an own goal from City's Ruon Tongyik, a first team regular in recent weeks, and a strike from Charles Lokolingoy gave Sydney FC the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

City levelled the tie through Arzani's penalty with nine minutes remaining to pave the way for Crowley's strike in the 11th minute of added time to seal the championship.

City FC Head Coach Joe Palatsides was leading the club to its second youth title in three years, and he said: "It's a roller coaster of emotions. We thought we controlled the first half exactly as we planned and had we had a bit more luck, we probably would have gone into the break two or three goals up and we probably would have made it a bit easier for ourselves.

"They had a really good 10-15-minute patch and scored a couple of goals and we looked like we were under the pump. Somehow the boys dug deep and they turned it all around again.

"I think it's just reward for the hard season it has been and the way the boys have worked."