By Emma Burke 3/5/25
Above: Kim Little & Jess Fishlock while at Melbourne City. Photo: Melbourne City
What would a combination of Melbourne City’s three undefeated A-League Women’s teams look like?
So Melbourne City have gone Invincible. They did not lose a single game throughout the regular season. While this is the first time they’ve done it in a full length home and away season, it’s not the first time they’ve done this, or the second even.
Melbourne City’s first ever season in the A-League Women in 2015/16, then called the W-League, saw them not only go undefeated throughout the season, but they did not drop a single point to another team. All wins. That team also had a goal difference of +34. Which is the same goal difference they have this year, despite having only played 14 games back then.
They also did an Invincible Season in 2019/20, when they signed a slew of Matildas and National Team Fringe players, and some truly excellent International arrivals. It’s unsurprising they went without a loss in this campaign when you check out that season’s roster.
In honour of this incredible achievement, here’s what their best ever starting XI could look like, and why.
Goalkeeper
Melissa Barbieri
Barbieri is an icon of the women’s game, and has now gone two seasons Invincible with City, having been on the team in the 19/20 season and this current one. While she may not appear on the pitch as frequently these days, she’s been a huge reason why City has been so successful due to her leadership.
Substitute: Brianna Davey
Defenders
Steph Catley
City’s Captain for a number of years before being snatched up to Arsenal Women, Steph Catley position as a left footed left back was performed second to none through her time with City. Her bombing runs forward and ability to track back made her incredible to watch. She also scored the Championship winning goal in the 2019/20 final.
Rebekah Stott
One of two, three time Invincible players and now Melbourne City’s current Captain, kiwi Rebekah Stott has all the experience and authority to run a smooth ship in defence. It’s unbelievable to think she has been doing this for so long.
Jennifer Beattie
Jennifer Beattie came to City on loan from parent club Manchester City for that first season and was an absolute brick wall in their defence. She also managed to score a couple goals too.
Ellie Carpenter
Not much needs to be said about Ellie Carpenter, but her one Invincible season with City in 2019/20 was one for the ages. The football that side played under Rado Vidosic allowed Carpenter to play as Steph Catley’s opposite footed twin on the right side, something she does even better in today’s game.
Substitutes: Alexia Apostolakis, Lauren Barnes, Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, Taylor Otto
Midfielders
Kim Little
Another player who came to City for that inaugural season, only Kim Little came in on loan from Seattle Reign. Little was, as she still is, an absolute powerhouse of the midfield, and scored seven goals in her one and only season with City too.
Emily van Egmond
Van Egmond played with City in 2019/20 under Rado Vidosic and had one of her best club seasons being able to play as an attacking midfielder. The free flowing football City played was so ridiculously up her alley she scored six goals while doing it (an equal Club best that season with Kyah Simon, I told you that team was stacked).
Aivi Luik
Having played for City in both the 2015/16 season and the 2019/20 season, Aivi Luik is an easy pick for this side. At her peak, Luik was a dominant force of City’s midfield, both stringing up attacks going forward and slowing down the ones that came back at her.
Jess Fishlock
One time, while playing for Melbourne City, Jess Fishlock became the team’s head coach after Joe Montemurro left for his stint at Arsenal, and dragged them into the finals, and to a Championship, and that wasn’t even an Invincible season. Fishlock is a player you always know is going to make something happen, even if she has to do it all herself.
Substitutes: Laura Hughes, Yukari Kinga, Leticia McKenna, Tameka Yallop
Forwards
Larissa Crummer
The 2015/16 season was Crummer’s career best, scoring 11 goals in 14 games and winning the golden boot. She was outrageously good that season and still stands as an undeniable “What if?” for the national team had injuries and strange position changes hadn’t come her way.
Holly McNamara
This season’s golden boot winner with 15 goals to her name in only 17 games, Holly McNamara is the easiest pick of this list. McNamara brings something to the League that really hasn’t been seen perhaps since Sam Kerr last played here. Three ACL injuries have done nothing to stop McNamara as she remains only delayed, never denied.
Substitutes: Beattie Goad, Mariana Speckmaier
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