Melbourne Victory have pushed through stiflingly hot conditions and their own inaccuracy to beat Wellington Phoenix 1-0 and get their A-League Women title defence off the mark.
Melina Ayres' header just before half-time at Epping Stadium proved the difference and ended Victory's run of more than 225 minutes without a goal, while the champions were rarely challenged defensively.
Fringe Matildas winger Beattie Goad was superb throughout, as she and playmaker Alex Chidiac created multiple chances.
There were also worrying scenes just after half-time when Wellington's Claudia Cicco smacked a clearance straight into teammate Alyssa Whinham's head, causing the teenager to drop to the turf.
The 19-year-old attacker played on but had to be assisted from the field in the 65th minute, with referee Kate Jacewicz stopping play after spotting Whinham prone on the field.
Victory dominated both general play and sights on goal but largely failed to make it count.
They had the first meaningful chance of the match at the five-minute mark when Goad charged down the left and cut the ball back for Chidiac, whose shot was saved by Brianna Edwards.
Five minutes later, Victory skipper Kayla Morrison put Goad through, but she shot straight at Edwards.
Ayres was unable to convert a couple of good chances, while at the other end Paige Satchell and Michaela Foster fired speculative shots straight at Casey Dumont.
Victory finally reaped the rewards of their dominance five minutes into first-half injury time when Chidiac looped in a corner and Ayres rose highest to head home.
Victory maintained their dominance, with Claudia Bunge heading wide from a corner in the 52nd minute.
Four minutes later, Ayres should have made it 2-0 when Chidiac slipped her through one-on-one with Edwards, but she blasted her shot wide of the near post.
Victory youngster Paige Zois teed up fellow substitute Maja Markovski in the 82nd minute but the striker hit the ball straight at Edwards.
Chidiac hit the post with a fizzing long shot in the 85th while substitute Ava Briedis headed wide in the dying minutes.
