Above: Courtney Newbon talks to the press. Image: Melbourne Victory.
By Isabelle Campbell (24/01/26).
Ahead of Sunday’s Big Blue clash against Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Courtney Newbon is focused on the task at hand. Though every game is important, this one carries extra significance, with the added intensity of the rivalry and the team’s strong history against their opponents.
“We’re looking forward to it like any other match, but this one has a little bit more to it. We’ve had some really good results against them over the past few years, so we’re looking to do that again, but we need to flip some results that have happened recently.”
While recent results have been inconsistent for Victory, Newbon sees the team’s past success against Sydney as a boost for the squad.
“It’s just like a confidence thing. You know that you can beat this team and beat them well. It’s just putting it into practice and finalizing those little things that we’re missing at the moment, but it’ll come.”
“As a collective, we’ve been there or thereabouts. It’s just that last little bit which we’re working on. We just need to find that last little bit that we’ve been missing and it will all come together.”
A key presence around the team has been Rhianna Pollicina, who was forced off injured in the side’s most recent match. Newbon praised her leadership and resilience. “She’s phenomenal. She had surgery on Tuesday, and she was the first one there at training on Wednesday.”
“It’s so good for her to just be around the team and be involved. She’s a great player and role model for the younger girls, showing that you can deal with adversity and still make things work.”
Pollicina’s impact on the team has been immediate since joining the squad, quickly cementing herself as one of the most important players on the pitch.
“She’s done amazing for us this year. It’s definitely going to be a bit of a miss not having her on the park this week, but just having her around the group is valuable, and we’ll build from that.”
Looking ahead to the match at the Home of the Matildas, Newbon spoke on the advantage of playing at home.
“It’s our home ground. You always want to win at your home ground. Traveling can be tough, but we get to sleep in our own beds, we’re there a couple hours before kickoff, and we know the field. Having the support of the home crowd is something we really appreciate.”
Having recently hit her 50-game milestone with the club, Newbon reflected on just one that stands out in her memory.
“Probably the Sydney FC game from a couple of years ago in Sydney. We won 4-0 right at the end of the season, and we had to win that game to make the finals. It was a fun game, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s fitting we’re versing them again this weekend, I want to emulate that performance.”
As the Big Blue approaches, Melbourne Victory will be looking to put recent challenges behind them and build on their past successes against Sydney FC to collect all three points and continue in their search for consistency.
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