Last year's grand finalists Victory moved to fifth (28 points) after Claudia Bunge scored the sole goal at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
But Victory will need last-placed Sydney FC to beat fellow finals hopeful Central Coast, who boast 27 points ahead of their Saturday fixture.
Brisbane is also in the hunt on 28 points going into their clash with third-placed Canberra United on Saturday, but have an inferior goal difference to Victory.
Earlier on Friday, Wellington Phoenix sealed a top-two finish before their maiden finals appearance after Brooke Nunn scored a goal and an assist in their 2-0 win over Adelaide United.
The 'Nix finish three points off premiers Melbourne City (37 points), while the Reds sit fourth on 30 points.
Victory were lucky to nab the lead through a Bunge header in the 22nd minute after the Glory were denied the opening goal.
Glory teenager Ella Abdul Massih found the back of the net in the 12th minute after a brilliant cross from Grace Johnston, but Massih was ruled offside.
The home team - finishing the season in eighth - proved more desperate in the second half but couldn't salvage a point after firing off just eight shots.
At Coopers Stadium, Nunn first found an unmarked Marisa van der Meer in the box to help the Phoenix draw first blood in the 30th minute.
Nunn then hit the scoreboard herself four minutes later with a stunning header after another lapse in the Reds' defence left the former championship-winning Central Coast midfielder alone in the box.
Adelaide had started the better side, with Lara Gooch putting the visitors on notice after almost drawing first blood just seconds into the match.
Gooch had pounced on a loose ball but was denied by the left post.
But the Reds were rattled by the early loss of central midfielder Dylan Holmes, who suffered a concussion after a clash of heads with Phoenix opponent Emma Pijnenburg in the 11th minute.
Already without star forward Erin Healy (leg), Adelaide couldn't gather steam after halftime and finished with five shots to Wellington's 13.
In their first season under Bev Priestman, the Phoenix earn a week off before hosting the first game of a two-legged semi-final.
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