Central Coast Mariners 3-3 Melbourne Victory
By Isabelle Campbell 27/12/25
Above: Rhianna Pollicina. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
What had looked like a comfortable afternoon for the Mariners turned into one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent A-League history. Central Coast had taken a commanding lead in the second half, but Melbourne Victory staged a remarkable fightback in stoppage time to secure a 3-3 draw at Polytec Stadium in their second meeting of the season.
Central Coast Mariners welcomed Melbourne Victory for the second meeting between the two sides this season, in a fixture carrying added significance after last year’s Grand Final that saw Victory fall in penalties.
After several high-intensity clashes in recent history, the rivalry between the two sides continues to grow into a notable one.
Melbourne Victory controlled possession in the opening minutes but struggled to turn that dominance into a clear-cut chance, often falling short with the final pass. Holly Furphy registered the game’s first attempt on goal, though her effort was comfortably gathered by Mariners goalkeeper Annalee Grove.
Central Coast began to grow into the contest midway through the half, with Izzy Gomez getting a shot away, but she was unable to keep her effort on target. Victory continued to push, and in the 20th minute Furphy came close again, firing narrowly over the crossbar with a well-struck effort.
At the other end, Annalise Rasmussen won a free kick in a promising position for the hosts, but the resulting set piece failed to trouble Victory keeper Courtney Newbon. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Peta Trimis produced a moment of brilliance, unleashing a stunning strike from around 30 yards that flew into the back of the net to give the home side the lead.
Victory responded and Furphy was again denied in agonising fashion, this time seeing her effort crash against the crossbar. Just before halftime, Rhianna Pollicina earned a free kick for the visitors. Alana Jančevski opted for a short pass to Pollicina, briefly catching the Mariners defence off guard, but the resulting effort only found the side netting.
The teams headed into the break with Central Coast Mariners holding a 1-0 lead.
Central Coast Mariners began the second half on the front foot, continuing to look dangerous in attack. Peta Trimis delivered a quality cross into the box early on, searching for Annalise Rasmussen, but the chance was cleared by the Victory defence.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Rasmussen struck from the right side of goal, finishing confidently after Izzy Gomez provided her second assist of the match. The Mariners showed no signs of slowing, and Rasmussen was soon on the scoresheet again as Annabel Martin threaded a perfectly weighted ball through to the forward, who converted from close range to complete her brace and extend the lead to 3-0.
Melbourne Victory turned to their bench in search of a response, with substitute Ella O’Grady making an immediate impact. She tested the Mariners defence with a shot in the 76th minute that drifted just wide of the post. Victory continued to push forward, creating chances through O’Grady and Sofia Sakalis, but the breakthrough remained elusive.
That changed in the first minute of added time when Rhianna Pollicina fought her way through the defence and slotted the ball into the net to give the visitors hope. With four minutes remaining, Victory surged forward once more, and just two minutes later Sakalis found the back of the net to reduce the deficit to just one goal.
The late drama was not finished there. In a moment of brilliance, O’Grady produced a piece of magic to score from outside the box and bring the match level, completing a stunning added-time comeback for Victory, with all three of their goals coming after the 90th minute.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-4-2): Grove, Barwick-Grey, Martin, Gomez, Rasmussen, Kraszula, Quilligan, King, Trimis, Baumann, Coco-Di Sipio. Substitutes: Farrow, Levin, Buchanan, Familton, Clough, Varley.
Goals: Trimis31’, Rasmussen 53’, 61’.
MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-4-2): Newbon, Maher, Morrison, Bunge, Pickett, Jančevski, Pollicina, Lowe, Sakalis, Furphy, White. Substitutes: Blissett, Ray, O’Grady, Saveska, Techera, Woodward.
Goals: Pollicina 90+1’, Sakalis 90+3’, O’Grady 90+4’
Referee: Page Malau-Aduli
Attendance: TBC
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