By Kieran Yap 17/9/24
Above: Mia Bailey (right) and Sarah O’Donoghue. Photo: Heidelberg United
It is fair to say that Heidelberg United made some good decisions in the season that saw them crowned champions. One of those was the recruitment of Queensland star Mia Bailey.
The former Brisbane Roar goalkeeper’s arrival was a real coup for Heidelberg. At just 20 years of age, Bailey boasts A-League Women and Junior Matildas experience, along with an impressive personal highlight reel. Following her incredible form in both finals it is evident that the move to Victoria’s NPLW has turned out perfectly for club and player.
Initially, football was not the first thing on her mind.
“I just moved because I wanted to live in Melbourne, “ Bailey tells Impetus.
“I didn’t really think about like the footballing aspect.
“The club reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to come down.
“So I came down for a trial just to see how things were, and instantly at Heidelberg, I loved it all the girls.
“I love them so much. They’ve got such a good culture.”
“I just signed with them then and there.”
Bailey’s instincts were right, and she immediately felt at home at the other end of the country and in a new city.
“As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with so many different people and so many different families that make it feel so welcoming.
“We have dinner every Thursday night with the men’s team, and all the board members are there.
“It just creates such a good culture.”
Bailey is speaking to Impetus from the home of club administrator Helen Tyrikos. The iconic stalwart of the club and the newly arrived goalkeeper struck up an almost immediate rapport. It helped Bailey settle, and also get the best out of herself on the pitch.
“She’s been such a big part of my sort of move as well…she’s basically like a second mom to me.
“I love her so much. She’s another big part of why Heidelberg are such a good club! The things that she does for the whole club behind the scenes like nobody really sees it. But I’ve sort of had firsthand experience at what she does.
“She’s amazing.”
Bailey enjoyed the her new surroundings, but also liked the challenge of a different league. She describes the NPLW Victoria as a little faster than Queensland and with stronger teams at the bottom end of the table.
On the field she adapated quickly. The Melbourne winters provided a less welcome challenge for the Queenslander, but the club environment made up for that.
Bailey settled in as well as anybody could hope to, and captain Stephanie Galea was full of praise for the youngster. She was added to the team’s leadership group with no hesitation.
“Oh, she’s been amazing!” Galea said when asked about Bailey’s impact.
“She’s She’s just full of energy, and that energy just translates to the other players as well.
“She calls me grandma, but that’s okay. I’ll let it slide.
“She’s always positive making everyone laugh. And obviously she does a lot of work behind the scenes at the club as well
“She’s very vocal player, which I think helps as a goalkeeper.
“I see a lot of like younger keepers in the League, and I think having her experience and her voice has really helped us like so much just like leading from the back.
“I think that’s very important. Straight away I wanted her in my leadership team.
“Even though it was her first year I was like, this girl has what it takes to back me up.
“She’s one of my closest friends now, So I am very grateful that she came to the club.”
It was not an easy season for Heidelberg United. For the first half of the year, it looked as if they might have found themselves in a relegation battle, but they kept belief, found form and never lost confidence.
Bailey credits the win over eventual premiers Bulleen Lions as the turning point for the season, but observers were realising that they were becoming hard to score and defend against. Having a keeper capable of miracles like her double save in the semi final helps too.
With Heidelberg in control but only holding a 2-0 lead, Bulleen were growing into the game, and beginning to create repeated chances. When the ball fell to former Melbourne Victory attacker Tiffany Eliadis, a goal looked certain.
Bailey made not one but two close range saves within seconds. It was a sliding doors moment in a match that they would go on to win 4-2.
“Not a lot really goes through my mind,” says Bailey of those big moments.
“It’s sort of just reactions and it comes as it comes.
“In games like those, though you need to keep talking the whole time, because in the first half I felt like. I didn’t really do much to be honest, so I just got to keep myself switched on.”
As Galea said, Bailey is known for being vocal between the posts. She is not shy about directing her defence or trying to distract the opposition. For someone who appears to be a natural goalkeeper, it was a surprise to learn that she began her football journey as a striker.
She came to goalkeeping almost by accident after “mucking around” in goal at the Peninsula games while on trial for the state team. It was a good fit for the talented youngster and in the next few years she would represent her country and start in goal for Brisbane Roar.
“Yeah, I love it now,” she says of switching from outfield to goal.
“The pressure of it is a lot. But it’s also what makes it really fun, I guess.”
From “literally just mucking around” in goal at training to becoming an NPLW Champ with one of Victoria’s most storied clubs, Mia Bailey’s time in football so far has been eventful, and successful. She is an assured, composed but energetic presence as the last line of defence and a key reason that Heidelberg won this trophy.
For player and club, her arrival at Heidelberg United was one of the best signings of the 2024 season.
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