Victoria defeated NSW on Saturday in the grand final of the Australian Hockey League to be crowned 2012 champions.

In an open first 20 minutes at Perth Hockey Stadium, NSW hit the scoreboard early, only to be followed by an own goal for the equaliser.

Victoria then shocked the NSW team with three unanswered goals late in the first half to take an unassailable 4-1 lead at the break.

The shell-shocked NSW team took the halftime break to re-group and devise a strategy to beat the Victorian press. However, it only took two minutes into the second half for the Victorians to hand further pain to the already flat NSW outfit, with a clean shot on goal from Danielle Schubach.

The 5-1 lead was always going to be too steep to come back from in one half of hockey.

The Victorian women's last championship title was won in 2003.

Queensland claimed the bronze medal by defeating the talented Western Australian outfit 3-0. To rub salt in the WA wounds, two-time WA Olympian Kobie McGurk left the field with a serious knee injury.

ACT finished fifth after knocking off 2011 champions South Australia in their playoff match.

Player of the tournament was awarded to the ACT's Anna Flanagan, who excelled as a leader, drag-flick specialist and reliable defender.

Claire Messent picked up the MVP Award for player of the grand final, scoring one goal and dominating the midfield with explosive pace.