Brisbane books finals berth
(c) AAP

Brisbane Roar have set up an epic W-League grand final against Sydney FC next Saturday after the reigning champions edged past Central Coast Mariners 1-0 at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday.

Brisbane had marginally the better of play despite being a player short for the final 20 minutes following the dismissal of striker Sasha McDonnell who received a second yellow card.

The decisive moment of the match came on 62 minutes with a rare goal from Roar defender Karla Reuter who scored from a long-range free-kick.

The left-footed delivery from Reuter caught out W-League goalkeeper of the year Jillian Loyden with the ball looping over her head as she moved off her line anticipating a cross into the penalty area.

Few gilt-edged chances were created in the oppressive heat with players often resorting to trying their luck from distance.

McDonnell came closest to breaking the deadlock just prior to the interval but her glancing header narrowly cleared the crossbar.

The result concluded a disappointing end to the season for the plucky Mariners who defied pre-season predictions by staying in the top-two throughout, only to miss the premiership by a point.

"We are very happy that we won the game, though maybe as a group a little disappointed with the performance, but the main thing is that we are in the grand final," said Roar coach Jeff Hopkins.

"The conditions had a big bearing on the game which slowed the pace down."

Next Saturday's grand final at Toyota Park will see premiers Sydney, on the back of a ten-match unbeaten run, looking to take the crown from Brisbane and seek revenge for a penalty shootout defeat in last season's finals.

"Next week is going to be a cracking game," Hopkins said.

"We have a healthy respect for Sydney and they have a lot of high quality players.

"I think we will be underdogs which is unusual for us and it offers us a different perspective going into the match.

"If we play the way we know we can, we are confident that we can beat anyone but Sydney will probably feel the same way."