Melbourne Victory’s character endured with Casey Dumont at its heart

You could not have asked for a better illustration of the resilience and willingness to rise to the occasion that has defined Melbourne Victory’s unlikely journey to back-to-back A-League Women’s titles.

In the 76th minute of Victory’s smash-and-grab win over Sydney FC in Sunday’s grand final, Charlize Rule launched herself at another Sydney corner. The teenager could not find the equaliser, but she did find Casey Dumont: crashing into the Victory goalkeeper’s ribs and sending her crashing to the turf. Trainers immediately rushed onto the field and on the sideline, back-up goalkeeper Melissa Maizels sprung to her feet.

Related: Melbourne Victory shock Sydney FC to win A-League Women title

Despite working to come into the season in the best shape of her life, that Dumont was even out there at that point was a minor miracle. Following a 3-1 loss to Adelaide a month prior she was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg – only to start eight days later. She spent much of the week preceding Sunday’s final bed-bound with illness. Further, Maizels had already been roused from the bench on a number of occasions as Dumont struggled to continue.

But now, with Sydney throwing themselves at Victory with every drop of vile and venom in their veins, her day appeared over. So impressive was her performance to that point, Victory’s title hopes, despite them still holding onto the lead, felt as if they would leave with her.

Yet, much as her team has done throughout this season, Dumont persisted. “I wasn’t worried because I knew she’d get up,” Victory boss Jeff Hopkins said post-game.

Indeed, nearly an hour later, Dumont sat alongside a coach who has believed in her more than most in her footballing journey as a player of the game