By Isabelle Campbell 10/1/26
Above: Ella O’Grady. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Victory striker Ella O’Grady spoke to the media after a week’s rest about how the last minute heroics against the Mariners is driving the team forward.
Ella O’Grady admits she’s watched her equalising goal from Melbourne Victory’s last match “a couple of times,” noting that rewatching her own goals has become something of a running joke among her teammates.
Coming off the bench against Central Coast Mariners, O’Grady scored the final goal in a blockbuster comeback. Victory were trailing 3-0 at the end of regular time but in what was dubbed a ‘Christmas miracle’ scored three goals in added time to secure a dramatic draw.
Reflecting on the goal that got a point back for her side, O’Grady said:
“Having the mentality that you know you don’t want to lose, and coming back in added time from 3-0 down, that’s quite hard to do, so to have that equaliser, watching it back felt like I had chills down my spine. Unfortunately didn’t get a win, but I’ll take an equaliser.”
When asked whether she felt a little more time on the clock could have delivered a fourth goal, O’Grady was confident:
“Oh, absolutely. I think we had so so much momentum. We almost had it in the last couple minutes. But if we had a bit more time, we probably could have got one more.”
With a bye week following the Mariners clash, the squad had the time to recover and rest, while allowing players to refocus and prepare for the challenges ahead, something O’Grady believes has helped in continuing to build their mindset.
“Having a break over the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a chance to reset. Find some form a little bit again, get the mentality, not just from starting players and bench players, but anyone that’s pushing for a spot in the actual squad as well.”
Looking ahead to their clash with Brisbane at the Home of the Matildas, O’Grady said the team now carries a stronger sense of identity and resilience. She also referenced the earlier meeting this season, when Victory came up short against the Roar.
“We had a new squad, new players coming in, and we kind of didn’t really set the mentality, that Victory mentality, yet. I think it took a while to get there.
“And I think after last week, that just shows what we’re all about as a team. How we can come back and we’re never beaten. So I think going into the game this weekend, we’re coming off that, which is pretty special.”
O’Grady has consistently come off the bench this season, pushing to prove herself and make an impact whenever she steps on the pitch.
“Every every bench player is hoping that they can get some more minutes each week, but I’ll just keep doing my thing during the week and pushing hard for the girls, not only for myself to get some minutes, but so that they’re prepared for the weekend as well.”
Part of what seems to be helping Victory find form this season is the competitive culture within the squad, with players constantly pushing each other to raise their game.
“Competition within the team, having the mindset that someone’s knocking on your door to take your spot. I think it’s quite important as a player, on the bench, for someone trying to get into the squad, and as a starter, it’s quite important to have, so that we’re bringing the intensity each week, fighting for our spots during the week and in the games.”
“If you’re not performing then you’ll come out of that squad for someone else to come in. I think, even in mini games that we’ll do throughout the week, they’re a bit of fun, but they also drive a bit of competition.”
Victory now carry the lessons and confidence from their last match into the Brisbane clash, looking to convert their resilience into consistent performances as the season moves forward.
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