Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby celebrates in Sky Blue. Image: Kris Goman for Impetus.
By Genevieve Henry (7/8/2025).
One of Sydney FC’s very best talents in Mackenzie Hawkesby has signed on to continue her career in Sky Blue for the 2025/26 A-League Women Season. Her one-year extension will help spur Sydney on in their quest to get back to the top after a disappointing season.
The 2024/25 golden boot winner for Sydney, Hawkesby transitioned into a new role with the club last season, finding herself further up the field and finishing chances rather than solely creating them. Her 25 goals in 98 appearances is an impressive testament to not only her productivity, but her longevity. This experience and talent is exactly what Hawkesby needs to bring to the Sky Blues in order to reclaim their status as the best team in Australia.
Hawkesby commented in her re-signing announcement, “last season was nowhere near the levels that we expect for ourselves at Sydney FC and now in 2025/26 we have a chance to put that right, together.” To bounce back after a disastrous season by their standards, Sydney will need players of Hawkesby’s calibre to step up and find new ways to operate. Towards the end of the season, the Sky Blues had a positive trajectory, and that was largely due to Hawkesby contributions as a goalscorer. Playing as a number 9, the 3x PFA Team of the Season honoree excelled in the unfamiliar role.
If Head Coach Ante Juric continues into the new season utilizing Hawkesby in this more advanced role, it could shift the dynamic of the attack for the better. It would also make a difference in acquiring new talent to bolster the squad; if Hawkesby is the supposed central striker, the team will need a solid, work-horse of a midfielder to fill her shoes. This player could very well be Bianca Galic, who inked a three-year deal with Sydney after winning the 2024/25 Grand Final with the Central Coast Mariners. Her signing, and the lack of signing a forward as of yet suggests that Hawkesby will stay in this new role.
Juric expressed his excitement at retaining Hawkesby, saying “she is a fantastic player who works very hard and she has shown she has an eye for goal.” Her versatility on the pitch has become a great asset for Sydney, but her off the pitch contributions are arguably more important. “Mackenzie is a fantastic person and her character around the dressing room is infectious. Her energy rubs off on all of the players and you can see the lift that she gives the girls at training and games with her personality and desire to win.”
Juric continued, “I am delighted to have Mackenzie sign with the club for another year. She has been a key player for a few years now and she has been extremely successful at Sydney FC winning a number of trophies.” With 3 Premierships, 2 Championships, and many individual accolades including 2024 Grand Final Player of the Match, Hawkesby certainly has the record to add even more.
“I am really looking forward to working with her again for a 7th season and looking forward to winning more trophies with her.” Hawkesby, who has played with Sydney for the majority of her career, will certainly surpass 100 appearances in Sky Blue by the end of the 25/26 season, a feat only matched by Princess Ibini, Teresa Polias, and Natalie Tobin.
“I’ve matured and developed so much as a player here at Sydney and under Ante and I look forward to creating more memories in the next year,” Hawkesby said. “I would like to also thank all the amazing Members and fans that I have come to know so well across the last six years and I look forward to playing in front of you again this season.”
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 