By Isabelle Campbell 15/5/25
Above: The Central Coast Mariners. Photo A-League
The Central Coast Mariners are preparing for their biggest moment since rejoining the A-League Women in the 23/24 season. Just two seasons into their return to the competition after a 14-year absence, they now stand on the brink of something few could have predicted: a shot at the title.
Their opponent, Melbourne Victory, brings no shortage of finals experience but Central Coast have shown all season that they’re more than capable of matching up against the league’s best. They’ve earned their spot in the Grand Final not through luck, but through tactical clarity, resilience under pressure, and a belief in their system.
A Team Built for Finals Football
Under head coach Emily Husband, the Mariners have formed a clear identity: defensively disciplined, efficient in transition, and composed in big moments. Their style of play may not be the most flashy, but it has kept them competitive in every match and helped them take points off some of the league’s top sides. In many ways, they’re built for knockout football. They don’t need to hold the majority of possession to control a game, they use organisation, patience, and the ability to strike at the right time. And they’ve shown they can do exactly that.
Semi-Final Statement
Their semi-final win over Melbourne City wasn’t just a great result, it was a landmark moment. City entered the tie unbeaten all season. But the Mariners matched them over two legs, holding firm in defence and delivering the decisive though controversial goal in extra time through Izzy Gomez, whose last-minute strike secured a 1-0 win on the night and a 3-2 aggregate upset.
It was a performance built on belief in a system that has proven itself time and time again and goes to show that they should not be counted out too early.
Head-to-Head History
Victory may have taken the edge across three meetings this season, with two wins and a draw, but the gap has been marginal. All three matches were tight, with only one goal separating the sides in their most recent encounter. The first of those, a 1-1 draw in Round 4, came without Gomez, whose return to the team has added significant threat in midfield.
And it would be wrong to not mention that just last season, it was the Mariners who knocked Melbourne Victory out of the finals through a penalty shootout. The Mariners team knows how to handle the pressure, and how to beat this particular opponent when it matters most.
Underdogs Edge
If Melbourne Victory are expected to win, then Central Coast gets to play with something even more valuable: freedom. Without the heavy burden of expectation, the Mariners are able to head into the final full of confidence, lifted by their recent momentum, and focused on playing to their strengths.
They’ve already proven they can beat the best. Now, with belief, structure, and a little bit of grit, they might just be ready to go all the way.
Game Changers
Izzy Gomez
Izzy Gomez has been a revelation since returning from injury, with six goals and three assists in just 15 matches. Her winning goal against City underlined her ability to rise to the occasion. Just this week, she was recalled to the CommBank Matildas squad, after receiving her first call up late last year but having to withdraw due to injury. This call-up is a clear sign of her rising profile on the international stage.
Jessika Nash
In defence, Jessika Nash brings composure and leadership well beyond her 20 years. A former Victory player herself, she’s been a stabilising presence at the back for the Mariners and could prove vital in shutting down her former teammates. Despite her youth, she has emerged as one of the most reliable and composed central defenders in the league. Nash’s maturity on the ball and her ability to read the game make her a key figure in the Mariners’ backline.
Sarah Langman
Between the posts there’s Sarah Langman, the league’s top shot-stopper. No goalkeeper made more saves or had a higher save percentage this season. Against a team like Melbourne Victory, who thrive on set pieces and often apply immense pressure in the final third, Langman’s presence becomes even more invaluable.
Wild Card- Brooke Nunn
Nunn brings energy, creativity, and experience to the Mariners’ attack. She’s known for her flair and ability to beat defenders one-on-one, using sharp footwork and clever movement to find space and create chances. Her impact was clear in the first leg of the semi-final against Melbourne City, where she scored a crucial brace to keep the Mariners in the tie. She also thrives on frustrating her opponents, often drawing fouls and forcing errors through relentless pressure. That ability to get under another player’s skin was on full display in the second leg, where her pressure and knack for riling up the opposition led to City’s Lourdes Bosch receiving a red card, a turning point that left the side with just ten players.
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