As Melbourne Victory prepares to face the Central Coast Mariners in the Grand Final this Sunday, captain Kayla Morrison is relishing the chance to lead her team on the pitch after missing the club’s last final through injury.
“Really excited,” Morrison told the media. “It’s just another game, though, and it does kind of feel that way. It’s a headspace I’m trying to stay in.”
The sense of calm heading into such a high-stakes match has been consistent across the Victory squad.
“I actually think it’s a really calm environment at the moment, and just keeping to a normal week, we’ve not done anything differently, and the girls seem to all be on the same page.”
Having played in multiple grand finals, Morrison knows how to maintain her composure.
“I don’t necessarily think that I let the pressure get to me too much, which maybe just shows some mental strength in that area. I just think it’s a privilege to have that pressure and to be in that situation. So I don’t take it as a negative, but just as a positive.”
And when the moment comes to visualise lifting the trophy, she doesn’t hold back.
“No, I think it’s good to have some positive manifestation and to visualise positive things and it would be really exciting to do that. So it’s not something I stray from. If it pops in my head, it puts a smile on my face.”
”She’s been my comfort…”
Victory’s journey to the final has been marked by strong performances and most notably a defensive line that’s been dubbed the best in the league.
“We take a lot of pride in our defense, not only the defenders, but from the nine all the way back. Everyone knows their shape defensively, and it’s something that we really focus on.”
Though it’s a team effort, much of that defensive strength can be credited to her centre back partnership with Claudia Bunge.
“She’s one of my best friends off the field as well as on the field. So it’s a calming presence next to me. She’s a calm person off the field as well, she’s got that personality that just everyone gets along with. So it’s really easy to play next to someone like that, and she’s just been my comfort my whole time at Victory.”
This year’s final will be against the Central Coast Mariners, though a surprise opponent to many, not an underestimated one.
“I think they’re a great team. I think they have a good game plan against us. In saying that I think we play well against them. So I think they’ll bring the best out of us.”
The two sides met in last year’s elimination final, which ended in a penalty shootout win for the Mariners. On preparing for the possibility of a repeat in events, Morrison assured they were ready.
“Ever since we knew we were going to be in the finals we’ve had penalty shootouts at the end of every training session. So I don’t think it’s a nerve-wracking thing if that’s what the game leads to. It will be what it will be, but I think we’re ready for it.”
The journey back to this moment has been a long one for Morrison, who is determined to make it count.
“It would mean everything. I think it would not just be the hard work from this year, but for me personally, the hard work from coming back from that injury all the way through up to this weekend, it would mean everything to me. And to do it with this group of girls, that puts an extra emphasis on it because it’s a special team and I just think that it would be the cherry on top of a good season.”
”I feel valued here”
It’s that connection to the team that makes the moment even more meaningful. It’s also why she recently extended her contract with Victory, a place she proudly calls home.
“I feel valued here. I feel like I belong. Jeff [Hopkins] takes my opinions and makes me feel like he’s truly listening to me. I just feel like a really valued part of the puzzle here. The girls are like my sisters, some like my daughters. It’s a really comfortable place for me and that’s a special feeling.”
Morrison also reflected on her time during the offseason at Bulleen Lions in the NPLW and early pre-season training as key to Victory’s readiness.
“There were a lot of us working in that off-season. I also think we were already starting to play together earlier than a lot of teams, there were only a few of us there, but it did kind of bring excitement, starting to understand each other better, and we just had more fitness, more gym and more touches on the ball. So I think that has played a really important role.”
As captain, her role extends to helping her teammates manage the mental side of such a high-stakes game.
“I think just talking to the girls about it as just another game. There will be a lot of outside influence on the game and there’ll be more people there, but it is just another game if you go out and follow the game plan. Once the whistle goes, you kind of forget the surroundings and you just know that you have to win this game, just like we felt in the league. So just reminding the girls to feel your emotions, but when you go out there, there’s a job to be done.”
And on the growing calls for VAR to be implemented in key A-League Women’s fixtures following the controversial goal that sent the Mariners through to the final?
There are many stories every year surrounding the A-League Women’s Grand Final, and this year perhaps one of the most interesting is that of Melbourne Victory’s goal keeper Courtney Newbon.
It has not always been an easy journey in the A-League Women’s for the 24 year old, who has bounced around a number of clubs in the competition before finally settling at the Victory.
Last year was a particularly crazy year for Newbon, starting the year as a temporary replacement player at the Central Coast Mariners before moving down to the Victory and ending the year as the first choice keeper at the Victory.
“I think last year was honestly a bit of a whirlwind” Newbon confessed.
“At the start of the year, I wasn’t playing A-League at all last season. I then turned around and played at two different clubs and played maybe 17 odd games or whatever it was, it was definitely unexpected.
“I almost felt like I was maybe thrown in the deep end a little bit, but I think I dealt with it in the best way that I could have and I guess maybe I used that as an opportunity to get to Victory and now I’m here and enjoying myself and enjoying my football.”
Newbon certainly feels grateful to have finally found a home after all those years bouncing around a number of clubs.
“It’s a great feeling. I think like any player, I would’ve loved to have found this right at the start of my career, eight years ago at Wanderers or whenever it was” Newbon said.
“But to finally get here and finally being a club that has taken me and has believed in me, has actually given me a solid chance, has been something that I’ve been super grateful for and maybe something that I was missing a couple years ago.”
This Sunday’s Grand Final will see Newbon play her old side the Mariners, but Newbon said that she does not have the same feelings facing them that she would have if she had played there for a number of years.
“It’s a bit of a weird one, right?” Newbon said.
“Central Coast was my old club, but at the end of the day I only played four games there on an injury contract. So I was never there for years and years and that sort of thing. So, I still want to go out, I still want to win. I want to get one back on them from last year.”
Looking ahead to this weekend, Newbon is certainly feeling excited about playing in the biggest match of the season.
“It’s awesome. It’s something that everyone would love to do some point in their career and I guess to do it so early on in mine, it’s something that it’s pretty amazing and something that I’m pretty proud to achieve” Newbon said.
Newbon also agreed that because she is so early on in her career that the emotions surrounding making the decider are amplified.
“I think I’m quite good at maybe compartmentalising things, so I’m trying to stay quite calm and cool and relax. But I’m sure the closer we get the more maybe nerves or will kick in, that’s part of the occasion, right?”
Controlling nerves and emotions around such a big game can sometimes be a struggle, but the ever professional Newbon certainly has a plan for what she is going to do.
“I think just maybe treating it as a normal game as best as I can, going through my processes and what I typically do on a normal game day, and try not to stray too far away from that,” Newbon explained.
Melbourne Victory were the first side to book their place in the decider, but as their players watched on to see who they would be playing, Newbon said that there was not a preference among the group as to who they wanted to win the other semi between the Mariners and Victory’s crosstown rivals Melbourne City.
“I don’t think we were too concerned” Newbon said.
“I mean, we would’ve loved a Melbourne Derby just because it’s a Melbourne Derby and we haven’t got one over them this year. That would’ve been nice, but at the end of the day, we weren’t really concerned which team we got. I think we back ourselves and we know what we can do that it wasn’t a huge concern at the end of the day.”
During the first leg of Victory’s semi final win over Adelaide, Newbon picked up a goal assist, a rare feet for a goalkeeper, after her long kick from defence set up Emily Gielnik who then scored the first goal of that match.
🔥🚨 GOALKEEPER ASSIST IN THE SEMI-FINAL! WHAT A PASS.
Melbourne Victory keeper Courtney Newbon produces an extraordinary ball to set up Emily Gielnik for a beautifully taken opener.
“That was awesome. That I think is a career highlight” Newbon said with joy when reflecting on that moment.
“I joke about it with my teammates. I’ll say at training I’m going to get an assist this weekend, and so some may say I manifested it, but yeah it was pretty cool. I was in shock I think.”
Already with a three goal to one lead in the bank heading into the second leg, Newbon said that Victory did not rest on their laurels in the return leg of the tie.
“We really treated that game like we didn’t have the lead,” Newbon explained.
“We treated that game like we had to win, like we treated every other game this year. We’ve had to go in and had to win and maybe had to grind it out and we were prepared to do the ugly stuff if we needed to.
“I think we were quite fortunate that we got that first goal quite early on, and then it leaves Adelaide in a place where they have to score three, so it’s obviously a little bit more of an uphill battle.”
All of this is the culmination of quite the journey for the star goal keeper, who may have never even become a goal keeper if it was not for a successful representative team trials back in the day. Originally an outfield player, she decided to trial in goals at those trials, and backed by the confidence against potential pain given to her by her rugby league days, she made that team as a goal keeper and the rest is history.
It is a sporting cliche that a great team is better than a team of great players. This season has shown that Melbourne Victory is both at once , and they can prove it on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory are in form. They are undefeated in 15 games, and have only conceded nine times in that streak. During that impressive run, only once did they concede multiple goals.
Impressively, they have done this while rotating the backline dure to injury or departures. Laura Pickett and Rosie Cutis have both deputised for Ellie Wilson while the English fullback was injured, while Alana Jancevski has been a revelation at left back.
This shows that Victory have a game plan that works and the depth and talent to execute it every week.
Only a near perfect season by local rivals Melbourne City denied Victory a top of the table finish, but statistically, they are the best team left in the finals race, with defensive stability, a star studded but hard working midfield and an attack boasting firepower in the starting XI and on the bench.
This is a side that has been unbeatable for more than half the season, and have the experience, discipline and talent to win this Grand Final.
Talent and Grit
Melbourne Victory have big names. There are senior internationals in midfield, attack and defence. They have players capable of changing the game across the pitch and almost every player in the squad is capable of scoring.
Importantly, this is not an all-star team. They may be a team of great players, but they have shown a willingness to sacrifice their own ego’s to win games.
Alex Chidiac has built her reputation as a playmaker with dazzling feet and an eye for goal, but she has played in a much deeper position this season. Often she is found receiving the ball from the defenders or winning it from the opposition.
Jancevski was signed as a wide forward capable of curling crosses and thunderous shots, but has emerged as an uncompromising, and disciplined fullback who still manages to chip in with a few long range goals.
Nikki Flannery has shown a willingness to switch flanks to help make room for Emily Gielnik’s finishing, and Sara D’appolonia is are selfless as she is tireless, running from box to box, retrieving any loose ball and forcing midfielders into hurried passes.
Victory can fight out games, they can grind out results and they can score heavily when they need to. Whether in an arm wrestle or a shootout, they are equally comfortable, and it makes it nearly impossible to deny them their preferred gameplan.
Peaking at the right time
Although they have been winning for most of the season, the semi finals have seen victory at their best. Against one of the league’s most entertaining attacking sides in Adelaide United they looked more dangerous in attack and more stable in defence.
They did concede in both legs, but ended the tie 6-2 ahead on aggregate, with Claudia Bunge and Rachel Lowe both scoring braces in either game.
Victory scored from set pieces, good old fashioned wing play, and precision long balls from the very last line of defence to overcome The Reds and the two wins sent a message that Victory could still improve on their 15 game run with an even stronger performance when it mattered most.
Head to Head History
This season, Victory enjoyes the edge over The Mariners. They have drawn 1-1 away, but won at home 2-0. Interestingly, Victory looked to have the stronger side in the drawn game. Beattie goad had not yet retired and Ellie Wilson was available.
Both first choice fullbacks were missing from the winning result, with Central Coast missing the talismanic Izzy Gomez.
Victory look more settled now than they did on either of those days, and are a far more formidable side than the one that lost to The Mariners on penalties at the end of last season.
Tactically, Victory are unlikely to have the same vulnerabilities that undid City. While Central Coast love a counter attack, Jeff Hopkins prefers a structured and deeper defence, even when his side is attacking. The matchup of a side that likes to score on the break against one specifically set up to avoid that happening will be fascinating to watch and this could be decided by set pieces, which Victory also excels at.
Game Changers:
Kayla Morrison
The Victory captain is a chance to win the Julie Dolan Medal this season. She has been among the best players every week in a campaign that has seen her play every single minute.
Morrison scores goals, marshals the defence and helps start attacks with her impressive passing range.
She has been one of the best players in the league this season and is a centeback that opposition coaches need to plan around at both ends of the pitch.
When your centre-back can hit them like THIS 😮💨🎯
Off the underside of the crossbar and in, that is some goal from Kayla Morrison to open the scoring for @gomvfc!
She’s a substitute, but shes often decisive. Furphy has an eye for goal, a deadly shot and impressive speed on the ball.
The wide forward is usually brought on in the second haldf either to break deadlocks or turn momentum back in Melbourne’s favour and she almost always manages to impact the game.
In less than half a season, Furphy has established herself as a star of the competition. A highlight machine who has shown impressive consistency.
Rachel Lowe
Another player forced to sacrifice her natural game for the benefit of the team. Lowe is generally seen as a number 10, or deeper playmaker, but at Victory she has been used at the point of the attack. Often battling with her back to goal or as rhe first to start to defensive press.
Lowe is one of Victory’s real barometers, she might not feature in the player of the week polls, but for Victory to win, she will need to have a good game, or at least execute her part of the plan to perfection.
Wildcard
Ella O’Grady
The former Young Matildas striker has had limited game time this season, but if she is turned to by Hopkins she has the ability to define this contest.
O’Grady can score from almost anywhere inside half way and has phenomenal running power. She can burst clear of defenders or go straight through them. As we saw last season with Shea Connor’s winning foal for Sydney FC, a substitute striker can make the day their own if they take their chance to when it arrives.
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.
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.
ISABEL GOMEZ, TAKE A BOW 🔥
The midfielder scores her second career goal in style to double @CCMariners' lead! And how about the cheeky nutmeg in the build up 😮💨
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.
Above: Aleks Sinclair is congratulating after scoring the goal for Spring Hills.
Spring Hills FC drew 1-1 with Heidelberg United in an entertaining and attacking game that was ultimately decided by Bergers goalkeeper Mia Bailey and Sprng Hills custodian Jenna Ibrahim.
The newly promoted Spring Hills have been impressive since arriving in the NPLW Vic. They recruited strongly in the off-season, adding the likes of former Western United players Natasha Dakic and Aleks Sinclair to join firepower in the form of Julia Budiongo.
Results have been mixed so far, but performances have been encouraging and scorelines have recently started to better reflect ability. In Round Seven they drew with the previously unstoppable South Melbourne, and this week, they faced the reigning champions Heidelberg United.
Both sides began the match in attacking style, with Heidelberg’s Asuka Miyata looking particularly industrious for the visitors. For the home side, Sinclair looked like she was on a mission to make an impact.
The Spring Hills attacker was a constant threat, using her experience and pace to create chances wide and behind the Heidelberg defence. A Dakic long pass resulted in a cross to Budiongo that was cleared, but moment later, Sinclair put her side ahead.
It was another long ball, and another ghosting run that broke the deadlock. Yikina Tamamura’s ball floated behind the Heidelberg defenders and landed between them ands their goalkeeper. Sinclair’s first touch took her around Bailey and her second bundled the ball over the line to make it 1-0.
Heidelberg are not a side that drops their heads however, and they immediately surged in search of an equaliser. Kathryn Vlahopoulos’ long range strike found Ibrahim equal to it, but the diminutive dynamo found a way to level the scores before half time.
Matsuda’s vision unlocked the Spring Hills backline with a first time pass and Vlahopoulos cruised into the area. With plenty still to do, and the defenders back in position, Vlahopoulos hit the ball with power at the near post. Ibrahim got behind it but could not keep it out as it bounced over the line.
Despite the breakneck speed of the game and attacking intent of both sides, clear cut cchances were rare, and both goalkeepers were equal to whatever was thrown at them for the rest of the game.
Bailey was regularly quick off her line, and brave at ground level to snuff out any danger. Ibrahim’s positioning and athleticism denied Heidelberg. Low scoring draws can sometimes makes for laborious highlight packages, but both goalkeepers made their opponents realty earn their chances, and prevented them taking any in a captivating battle.
Sinclair looked likely to add a second and re-take the lead in the 53rd minute. she was in acres of space to meet Olivia Anderson’s perfectly placed cross, but skied her effort over the bar.
A piece of magic, against from the veteran Sinclair almost created the winning goal. Despite falling to ground, she maintained possession, drove into the box and cut the ball back for a teammate. The shot was barely 10 yards out and struck well, but Bailey pulled off a miraculous save to keep it at 1-1.
Heidelberg had more shots on goal for the match, but none to equal that opportunity, and can thank the former Brisbane Roar shot stopper for leaving the round with a crucial point.
The result keeps them in second place, and particularly in this very even and extremely competitive season, every point matters.
Next up, Spring Hills FC will look to build on two impressive performances on their trip away to face Brunswick Juventus. Heidelberg will aim to return to the winners list when they host Preston Lions.
In other games, Box Hill put give goals past Brunswick Juventus for their third win of the season. Goals to Katie Cox, Victoria Zikas and Olivia Ellis effectively ended the contest before half time.
Josephine Aulicino and Zoe Hudson added two more after the break.
Preston Lions looked set to end South Melbourne’s undefeated run until the dying stages of the game. Ellie Vlaeminck opened the scoring for the home side in the sixth minute and supporters dared to dream of victory until the 90th minute when Mami Ambo levelled the scores for South Melbourne.
An Emma Langley brace helped Essendon Royals defeat Bentleigh Greens 3-2 at home. Fijuwara Airi added a crucial third for The Royals, while Bentleigh’s were scored by new recruit Sidney Allen with Delaney Kenney’s 70th minute strike offering some hope of a comeback.
Danella Butrus starred once again for Bulleen against her old side. The defending premiers defeated FV Academy 5-0 due to a second half blitz that saw them score all their goals between the 60th and 82nd minutes.
The pace and finishing of Butrus and Anais Josefski did most of the damage for the home side. Josefski’s line breaking speed provided the opener, before Butrus, Nia Salleh and Sarah Cain added their names to the scoresheet. Butrus brought up her brace in to round off the scoring in a tough end to an otherwise promising performance from the Academy side.
Boroondara-Carey Eagles defeated Alamein in the final game of the round. Two goals from Candela Ferreya-Bas were scored either side of one from Emily Collier to give the home side a 3-0 win against their in-form opponents.
Above:Annalise Rasmussen celebrates – the forward is positive that her and her team mates will have a lot more to enjoy on Sunday at the A-League Women Grand Final. Photo: Central Coast News.
Days after defeating ‘invincible’ Melbourne City in a thrilling semi-final showdown, the Central Coast Mariners have returned to Gosford, in preparation for the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Grand Final against Melbourne Victory.
“I’ve just been thinking of it as another game, and I think just trying to play the game, not the occasion,” says Mariners forward Annalise Rasmussen.
The upset, which put the Mariners in their first-ever grand final, has left the squad full of confidence as they head into Sunday’s showdown, with Rasmussen saying “100% like, I think our goals from this season as a team, like obviously one of the top four finishers we got, and then I think our ultimate goal was to make the grand final”
Head coach Emily Husband doesn’t feel a need to change up her team’s tactics or mindset as she carries them into the biggest game of their campaign.
“Yeah, obviously, I think all of the preparation that we’ve done up until this point will all go into this game. I don’t think there’s too much you’re going to change within a week.”
“It’s just down to the little tweaks that we can make tactically and to overcome some of their strengths and to make sure that we expose some of their weaknesses.”
Whilst the Mariners are entering the match as the underdogs, with Melbourne Victory the favourites to win at their home ground of AAMI Park, the perceived disadvantage hasn’t fazed the Mariners, but has in fact given them even further motivation to bring the trophy home.
Above: Central Coast Mariners head coach Emily Husband. Image: Central Coast Mariners.
“We’ve always been classified as the underdog everywhere we’ve gone, you know, even after how well we did last year, I don’t think anybody anticipated us to do as well as what we have again.”
“We kind of used that to give us a little bit of fire in our bellies, so we’ll continue to use that, let it help us.”
The sense of assurance that has been instilled in the squad this campaign was further cemented, as they became the first team to beat Melbourne City this season, while Husband has always had the belief that her team has what it takes to take the title.
“I always had the belief in the players that I’ve picked that they can do something extraordinary, and they have done that, ” the Mariners head coach said, adding, “I was so determined the last two weeks that we had weren’t going to be our last.”
It’s a particularly sweet moment for Rasmussen, the first player signed upon the team’s reinstatement, after leaving the league in 2009. “ I feel like it hasn’t really hit me yet, but like once I’m in the stadium and I see the crowd and my parents and everyone there, like I think that’s when it’s really gonna sink in.”
“Everyone’s unbeaten record has to come to an end at some point, as we found out this weekend,” says Husband, reflecting on the success streak of her opponents, Melbourne Victory. “We went through a poor patch of form – we didn’t win a game in five; we came out of that patch, and there was a lot of concentration for us around our mentality in that area.”
In terms of preparations, the squad is as expected following a 120+ minute showdown this past week, Emily Husband says, “There’s been a high emphasis on recovery and making sure that players are rested and ready to go for the game.”
Above: Annalise Rasmussen. Photo: A-Leagues.
“I think obviously we’re super excited to play Victory. That last game we played against them, we did lose that game, but I think as a collective, that was one of the best games we’ve played as a team.”
Central Coast’s history against Victory has been a tumultuous one, losing their past three meetings, but never without a fight, and they are not willing to back down now.
“To score off a set piece, obviously it’s disappointing, but I think that just shows how much we limited their chances.”
Heading to a grand final is nothing short of a dream come true for the Mariners at the tail end of a successful campaign, and they are confident that their strength as a squad can carry them through to the win.
“I think they struggled to break us down defensively, and I think that’s a big credit to us, our defensive discipline, but you know, full confidence going in there, and there’s no doubt we can beat them.”
Above: Isabel Gomez in action for Central Coast Mariners
A 23-player squad has been announced by Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni ahead of the team’s two game series against Argentina, made up of long term Tillies and some new faces.
“It’s a fairly mixed squad,” said Sermanni, “it’s a balance of a group of our senior international players and quite a few young players.”
One of the new call ups includes Central Coast Mariners’ midfielder Izzy Gomez, who is currently preparing to take on Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women’s Grand Final this Sunday.
Gomez was previously called up in November of last year, but a knee injury cruelly kept her from making it to camp.
“She’s just continued since she’s come back from injury, week in week out, to be a dominant player in midfield,” he said.
“She offers a combination of things, she’s very tenacious but at the same time has a really good midfield skillset. Her passing is good, her decision making is good and obviously as you saw on the weekend managed to score a goal that was apparently just onside,” Sermanni said, referring to the controversial game winning goal Gomez scored to help her side into the Grand Final and break Melbourne City’s unbeaten streak.
Striker Kahli Johnson, who recently made the move from Western United to Calgary Wild FC in Canada’s new National Super League, where she has already scored twice, is another name to make it into the final 23 for the first time
“It’s been quite significantly hit with injuries and withdrawals so the upside of that is it gives opportunities to other players,” Sermanni said.
Players such as Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop, and Mackenzie Arnold will all miss this window due to injuries, while other players such as Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry have withdrawn themselves for personal reasons.
Sermanni was also asked for comment on the now very likely possibility that he will be succeeded by Joe Montemurro, who currently coaches Olympique Lyonnais Femenin.
“Joe would do fantastic in the job, he knows the players intimately, he’s coached at the highest level for a very long time and been extraordinarily successful so there’ll be no issue with Joe coming in,” he said after jokingly saying that Montemurro would be, “terrible,” in the role, but only because he’s from Melbourne.
Speaking moments after the history making win, the joy that Mariners coach Emily Husband was feeling was clear for all to see.
She said that in that moment she was “just really proud. Really proud of the girls and what they’ve done this season and what they’ve achieved and the performances that they’re repeatedly putting on.”
“Just really, really proud of them.”
Heading into the game, Husband said that the mindset had not changed too much after the first leg of the tie.
“For us it was very similar, but I think we just needed to be a little bit more attacking and a little bit better in possession,” Husband explained.
“Obviously, we weren’t anticipating the game to go the way that it went, but I think for me, the great thing about this bunch is that we’re so flexible and adaptable to be able to take whatever the game throws at us.”
Things got significantly easier for her side early when Melbourne City lost two of their first choice starters to injury (Holly McNamara) and a red card (Lourdes Bosch) respectively. However, that did not alter things too much for Husband in terms of her and her side’s approach.
“Look, obviously a sending off will always affect a game in one way or another,” Husband did.
“So we knew that we might see a little bit more of the ball. But ultimately for us it was continuing to focus on what we could control and what we can do with the ball and, and to try and create as many opportunities as we could. “
The match winning goal from Isabel Gomez came with mere minutes left in stoppage time of extra time, but Husband said everything was ready to go in case the game did end up going to penalties.
“We were already set if it went to pens, everyone knew exactly what the plan was. Everybody knew what their role was, so everything was already set,” Husband said.
“Like I said, the girls were ready for whatever the game through today, so that was a massive part of us also wanting to leave Gomez on for as long as we could do, because you give her an opportunity and she’ll always take it.”
Looking ahead to the big dance, Husband already has a plan for how she and her team will prepare for the biggest game of the club’s history since their return to the league.
“We’ll go back over the last few games that we’ve played,” Husband confirmed.
“We’ve played them three times already this year, so we’ve had plenty of practice at it, and now it’s just about us again taking our moments when we’re creating.”
The Mariners will be the underdog in the clash against Melbourne Victory next weekend, but that’s not an issue for the Mariners’ boss.
“Yeah, look, we’ve always been in the underdogs, right?” Husband said.
“The club that we come from, it gives us that title, and we’ve only been in the league two years, so we’re never going to come in all guns blazing. It’s probably where we’re best, where we’re fit, and we’re obviously good at it.”
Above: Chelsea celebrate their sixth successsive title win. Photo: Chelsea FC Women.
Now that yet another WSL season has come to an end, there is time to sit back and reflect on one of the world’s most exciting women’s leagues. Whilst Chelsea took home the title for a sixth consecutive year, there were surprises.
Who could have foreseen Tottenham finishing one above bottom after reaching the FA Cup final last year? Did anyone see the exodus of head coaches coming? Who would have thought that Arsenal would ship five goals to Aston Villa?
There were some standout head coaches, players, and games over the course of the 2024-25 season. Eleven members of the Impetus team have voted on their standouts, with the results presented below.
Head coach of the season – Sonia Bompastor
If there is one winner that is entirely self-explanatory, it is Sonia Bompastor as the coach of the season. Coming in to replace Emma Hayes – who had been at the club for over a decade, winning every trophy possible (barring one), many pundits anticipated a period of transition like Manchester United have experienced since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
In contrast, Bompastor has taken Chelsea to new heights, building on the work of Hayes and adding her own flair to the champions.
Above: Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor with the WSL trophy. Photo: @ChelseaFCW on X.
Coming in second was Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo. Arroyo has guided Aston Villa away from relegation by claiming five wins from their last five games of the season, including statement wins over Arsenal (5-2), Tottenham (3-2) and Liverpool (2-1).
Arriving midway through the season after previous head coach Robert De Pauw left under a cloud of accusations of inappropriate behaviour, Arroyo has steadied the ship to leave Villa in seventh place.
Results:
Sonia Bompastor – 8
Natalia Arroyo – 2
Renee Slegers – 1
Head Coach – Special mentions
Although Bompastor took gold in a landslide in our polls, we also asked our contributors which head coaches they would like to give a special mention to – the top three were Dario Vidosic, Renee Slegers and Rehanne Skinner.
Vidosic was hired by a Brighton that are pushing to become one of the most progressive clubs in England. From building a stadium for their women’s team to investing in experienced players like Lionesses Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, the Seagulls are on the rise.
Vidosic has deployed an exciting brand of football, leading Brighton to fifth in the WSL, a major improvement on last season where they finished in ninth place.
Slegers took over an Arsenal side that were languishing – losing both in the league and in Europe, slipping further and further behind their rivals. Slegers has revitalised the Gunners’ attack through minor tweaks to formation, building on the positives that were there before her arrival.
Rehanne Skinner has significantly transformed West Ham United Women since her appointment in July 2023. Taking over a team that finished 11th in the 2023–24 Women’s Super League (WSL) season, Skinner implemented tactical changes and fostered a positive team culture, leading to notable improvements in performance.
This season, the Hammers finished ninth – important wins against Tottenham and Brighton and draws against Manchester United and Chelsea sealing the perception that they are a very hard team to beat.
Results:
Dario Vidosic – 4
Renee Slegers – 3
Rehanne Skinner – 2
Natalia Arroyo – 1
Player of the season – Mariona Caldentey
Spanish star Caldentey has had a stellar inaugural season for Arsenal. The 29-year-old has started 20 of the Gunners’ 22 games, scoring nine goals, with 1.6 shots per game and one shot on target per game. She has added five assists to this total, and has created 13 big chances during the season, second to fellow Gunner Katie McCabe (16).
For her first season in the WSL, it is arguable that she couldn’t have done more – she has also been recognised with the WSL player of the year award (voted for by fans of all clubs). Accepting that accolade, the player told the BBC: “I’m super happy because I really enjoyed my first season here. Everybody helped me.”
Above: Mariona Caldentey with her Player of the Season trophy. Photo: @UWCL on X.
Player of the season special mention – Olivia Smith
We also asked our team if there is a player they would like to give a special mention to. Olivia Smith joined Liverpool last summer from CP Sporting, and the 20-year-old Canada U20 international has not looked back. She has revolutionised Liverpool’s attack, causing chaos for any backline she has faced.
Smith has started 20 of 22 games, scoring seven goals and having 2.5 shots per game. She has registered the third-most successful dribbles per game (behind Manchester City’s Kerolin and Leicester’s Missy Goodwin, 58%), and the biggest issue for Liverpool will be trying to keep hold of the forward.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce had an outstanding WSL season, her first as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper. Stepping into big shoes after Lioness Mary Earps’ departure, the American shot-stopper played all 22 league matches, recording 13 clean sheets – the joint-highest in the league alongside Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton – conceding only 16 goals.
Beyond traditional metrics, Tullis-Joyce ranks top for goals prevented (6.89), showcasing her shot-stopping ability. Her impact was acknowledged by United with a new three-year contract extension and by Emma Hayes with her first cap for the USWNT.
Above: Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Photo: @ManUtdWomen on X.
Results:
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: 6
Hannah Hampton: 3
Daphne van Domselaar: 2
Defender of the season – Maya Le Tissier
The WSL’s youngest captain is Impetus’ defender of the season. When she was handed the armband at Manchester United last summer, there were questions over her youth. However, those questions have been answered over the course of the year, as Le Tissier led United to a third-place finish amidst the usual external noise that accompanies the club.
Statistically, Le Tissier’s defensive prowess was evident: she recorded 32 tackles – eight more than in the previous season – and won 29 aerial duels, surpassing her 2023–24 total. Notably, she was dribbled past only seven times throughout the season, and had the most accurate long balls – seven, surpassing Leah Williamson’s 6.5.
Above: Maya Le Tissier. Photo: @ManUtdWomen on X.
Results
Maya Le Tissier – 4
Millie Bright – 3
Kerstin Casparij / Nathalie Bjorn / Laia Aleixandri / Emily Fox – 1
Midfielder of the season – Mariona Caldentey
As discussed above, Caldentey has had a standout inaugural WSL season with Arsenal. Rather than repeat her ‘player of the season’ analysis, here are a couple of quotes from her teammates on what she brings to the team:
Emily Fox to OneFootball: “She’s so good. Very hard to defend…she has everything in her toolbox.”
Alessia Russo to OnlineGooner: “She’s been great since she’s come in… I feel like I learned a lot off of her too, she’s obviously a world-class player, and a person too.”
Results:
Mariona Caldentey – 3
Grace Clinton / Erin Cuthbert – 2
Johanna Kaneryd / Yui Hasegawa / Kim Little / Ella Toone – 1
Forward of the season – Alessia Russo
England’s first-choice striker Alessia Russo has had what is arguably the best season of her career. Praised particularly for her work-rate both on and off the ball, she has developed rapidly since arriving at Arsenal in the summer of 2023. This season, she shares the golden boot with Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw (12 goals each), additionally registering two assists.
She had 73 shots overall – 3.5 per game, joint second with Vivianne Miedema (Shaw is first with 3.7). She is joint first with Shaw and Miedema for shots on target per game (1.6) and has been careful with discipline – receiving no cards across the entire season.
Above: Alessia Russo for Arsenal. Photo: @ArsenalWFC on X.
Results:
Alessia Russo – 5
Aggie Beever-Jones – 3
Mary Fowler / Bunny Shaw / Lauren Hemp – 1
Club of the season – Chelsea
Club of the season was never going to be too controversial: the team who won the league won it with two games to spare, recording a record number of wins and going the entire season unbeaten. If that was not enough, they also made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League and won the League Cup; they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final next weekend. The club of the season had to be Chelsea.
Results:
Chelsea – 7
Manchester United / Arsenal – 2
Above: Chelsea celebrate. Photo: @ChelseaFCW on X.
Game of the season – Manchester City 2 – 4 Manchester United (19th January 2025)
Although the last Manchester derby of the season had more at stake (a Champions League spot for next season), the chaos of the earlier encounter between City and United at the Etihad is unforgettable.
From goalkeeper gaffes to a hattrick for a childhood United fan, the game had it all. City’s commitment to playing out from the back, even under pressure, proved costly – and is something subsequent opponents went on to use to their advantage.
The victory propelled United above City into third place in the WSL standings, enhancing their prospects for League qualification. The win also marked United’s first league triumph over a fellow ‘big four’ team in nine attempts.
Above: the Manchester derby. Photo: Richard Sellers / PA.
Results:
Manchester City 2 – 4 Manchester United, 4 votes
Arsenal 4 – 3 West Ham, 2 votes
Arsenal 4 – 3 Manchester United, 1 vote
West Ham 7 – 1 Crystal Palace, 1 vote
Aston Villa 5 – 2 Arsenal, 1 vote
We will be waiting with baited breath to see what the 2025/26 WSL season has in store – a new champion? Will London City Lionesses stay in the top flight?
Above: Caitlin Doeglas, who scored a hat-trick and contributed two assists in Perth RedStar’s 6-2 win over UWA-Nedlands today. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC 1-1 Fremantle City
Fremantle City continued their strong run of form by coming from behind to gain a point at unbeaten Perth SC this afternoon.
The opening quarter of an hour was a real arm-wrestle between these two in form sides. Freo, after a tough start results wise, came into this game unbeaten in three. It was the visitors who conjured up the first opportunity as Abbey Green showed great footwork along the left flank, combining excellently with Sophie Meaden in a move which ended with the latter getting a shot away that Dayle Schroeder saved.
The Azzurri then put together an incisive move with Jess Flannery providing a centimetre perfect long pass through for Louise Tana to the right of centre. Her low shot went across Freo keeper Megan Phillips, and Lincoln was only denied at the back post by a superb covering block.
Perth were now on top, and Flannery’s eye for on point passing showed once more with 22 minutes played as she found Daisy McAllister who broke through but hit her shot just wide of the left-hand post.
Just two minutes later, the Azzurri were ahead. Sam Mathers held possession and found Lincoln outside the box to lay off to Flannery who returned the favour. Under close attention from two defenders, Lincoln showed great poise to play the ball back to Mathers, who was stationed just outside the box. Mathers looked up and saw Flannery outside her. She turned Alex Poad and then bent a stunning shot into the right hand corner.
Freo looked to hit back with 11 minutes of the half remaining as Leyna Wood supplied a pass along the left for Mikayla Lyons at the near post, but Schroeder saved.
Perth had an excellent chance shortly afterwards to double their advantage, as McAllister gained possession from Hannah Reynolds and broke through to the edge of the area where she found Lincoln whose shot went over the top.
Then, just two minutes before the interval, the port city side levelled. Phillips’ high goal kick bounced inside the Perth half for Wood to feed Lyons who ran through and finished calmly under the onrushing Schroeder to ensure the sides went in level at the break.
Above: Perth SC goalscorer Jess Flannery (azure shirt) seen here in action against the Football West Academy last week. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Defences were on top in the second half with clear cut chances few and far between. The best opportunity fell the Azzurri’s way just three minutes in when, from a free kick inside the Perth half, Annabelle Leek played the ball backwards towards Reynolds who was put under immediate pressure by Lincoln. The Perth attacker won the ball and advanced one on one with Phillips, but the visitors’ keeper pulled of an excellent save.
Much of the reminder of this encounter was akin to an arm wrestle with both sides having plenty of possession, but out and out chances were extremely limited.
There was one half chance apiece in the dying minutes. First, Lincoln held off her defender, but Phillips held onto the shot. For the visitors, Catherine Adams saw a shot go narrowly over the top a minute into stoppage time.
Freo will no doubt be the happier of the two sides with this outcome, but it could be argued that the real beneficiaries from this outcome is Perth RedStar, who are now within a single point of the Azzurri.
Subiaco earned their second win over Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) in a fortnight, and rose to within touching distance of the top four as a result.
Subiaco were on the front foot from the get-go this afternoon when Jaalah Rudd posed a threat to with a powerful stride up the wing, an impressive preview of what was to come.
Just 12 minutes in, and the home side had confidently inhabited their favourable end of the pitch. Positioned in a spacious right corner of the box, Greta Bailey made an excellent break. The break allowed a cross to fall at the feet of Soyi Kim, positioned at an open goal. Kim’s one touch securing the home side an early lead.
The visitors were visibly unsure of their tactical identity, enabling Subi to generate a substantial number of chances in the first half alone. MUM’s Gabriella Saraceni’s authoritative stride up the centre midfield at the 33-minute mark, being one of few displays of dominance.
Visiting goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mohan was the redeeming asset to the away side, repeatedly denied promising attempts at goal from the hosts. One of her key saves in this spell came with her blocking a crossbar rebound from a corner, from entering the goal at the 35-minute mark.
Ultimately capitalising on the many opportunities at goal created by Subiaco, a long ball fell at the feet of an offside open Kim. With Mohan off her line in an attempt to save the ball, Kim exploited a now open goal, leaping over the keeper, and raised the scoreline to 2-0. The goal was ultimately allowed; however, the question of offside was a valid one.
Creeping into the mere minutes of added time, Subiaco’s attack from the left side of the box called for Mohan’s immediate attention. Subiaco’s Tayna Campos, able to beat the keeper to it, left the Subiaco goal exposed. Ana Denona skillfully neutralised the threat posed by Campos, kicking the ball out of play, centimetres from the goal line. An exceptional defensive display.
Kim opened the second half in a comparable approach at goal. A long ball from the centre circle, found the feet of an open Kim. Dribbling away, the South Korean calmly netted the home side’s third goal.
Kim continued to emerge as a threat to MUM’s defence, as she netted yet another goal. However, the effort was from an offside position.
Today’s matchup was also one of mutual frustration, with a total of 22 fouls recorded. A foul committed by Denona outside Subiaco’s box resulted in a free kick in prime position. Stella Zampogna’s effort failed to add a fourth goal for the hosts.
MUM made a promising eleventh-hour attempt at goal 88 minutes in, with Sophie Patience and Eduarda Mello making a convincing run up the centre midfield. However, the attempt was whisked out of danger by Brooke Burdett centimetres from the goal line.
With the league now taking a week’s break due to the State Cup, Subi will be looking to hit the top four when they resume NPLW WA duty in a fortnight’s time at home to UWA-Nedlands.
Balcatta Etna hit back from their disappointing defeat to Perth RedStar last time out to defeat ladder leaders Football West Academy (FWA) at their first home game this season.
Home Group Stadium was back up and running after extensive renovations over the close season, which has meant Pete Rakic’s side had to play all games up to this stage away from home. This was a vital win to get Balcatta back up and running, as they condemned the FWA to a second successive loss.
It was though the visitors who hit the front after seven minutes through Cate McAuliffe, a lead they held until the break, when the home side re-grouped and came out firing.
Within two minutes of the second half, Abbey Meakins was positioned just outside the box on the left-hand side and lifted a shot straight over Sofia Borg and in.
Nine minutes later, Meakins was involved again. Her free-kick from the left came back out to her to fire back in again for Alyssa van Heurck to turn and fire home from inside the six-yard box.
The teenage visitors grabbed an equaliser with 22 minutes of normal time in some style. Nelli Johnson beat Rachel Jarvis to the ball and hit an absolute stunner from over 30 yards past a diving Rebecca Bennett.
Then came the real drama. Just as the clock ticked into the 90th minute, Jamie-Lee Gale’s corner came in from the right. The visitors couldn’t clear, and Carys Davis lashed home from the left-hand side of the box.
Then, five minutes into stoppage time, up stepped Meakins with one of her long-range specials, as the midfield star was found unmarked by Monique D’Opera to send in a shot from approaching 25 yards that bounced in front of FWA keeper Borg and landed in the left-hand corner of the net.
Balcatta now re-enter the top four on goal difference from Subiaco, and with two games in hand, could well stay there.
Perth RedStar won theirthird successive match, taking their goalscoring tally to 19 in the period, with this win over UWA-Nedlands at RedStar Arena today.
The match was punctuated by a superb contribution from Caitlin Doeglas, who scored a hat-trick and added two assists, with Renee Leota also hitting three, as RedStar moved ominously within three points of ladder leaders Football West Academy after this latest success.
The home side hit the front with 11 minutes on the clock when Renee Leota pounced on a ball played across her own box by UWA-Nedlands’ Isabelle Dadswell to turn the ball into the net.
The Kiwi star was at it again just before the half-hour mark when a low cross in from the left from Doeglas found Leota in acres of space to tap home from close range.
Three minutes later, however, the visitors got a foothold back in the game. Melina Franklin was fouled five yards outside the box on the left-hand side. Chloe Rodrigo’s low free-kick came in. Hannah Seeley’s first shot was blocked, and the clearance came back to her to hit a follow-up shot in.
Ten minutes before the break, the hosts re-established their two-goal cushion. Four loose touches in a row from the visitors ended with Doeglas crossing in from the left, and an unmarked Leota pounced to complete a 24-minute hat-trick.
With 55 minutes on the clock, Doeglas got on the scoresheet herself in style. Released along the left by a superb pass from Abbey Woolley, the Perth Glory A-League Women striker ran into space before lifting a quality finish from just inside the area.
RedStar gained their fifth after a sumptuous passing move which ended with Grace Monteiro finding Doeglas on the left to hit a first-time shot from the edge of the area across UWA-Nedlands keeper Janina Sauer and in.
Two minutes later, Doeglas completed her hat-trick when her cross from the left hit the arm of Ginger Cain, and the attacker fired the resulting penalty to the right of centre of the net.
The visitors pulled another back in stoppage time at the end of the game when RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco’s clearance fell kindly for Franklin, who lifted a first-time effort straight in.
RedStar are now hitting their straps and after the break for the State Cup, they travel to the Sam Kerr Football Centre to face league leaders Football West Academy. Win that, and the march of the Red Army is well and truly on once more.
STATE CUP 1st ROUND: Friday: Football West Academy v Fremantle City (WD1). Saturday: Mandurah City v Perth RedStar. Sunday: Subiaco (WD1) v Murdoch University Melville, Subiaco (NPLW WA) v UWA-Nedlands (NPLW WA), Balcatta Etna v Sorrento, Queens Park v Hamersley Rovers, UWA-Nedlands (WD1) v Fremantle City (NPLW WA), Perth SC v Perth AFC.
NPLW WA ROUND 9 – Saturday 24th May: Football West Academy v Perth RedStar. Sunday 25th May: Murdoch University Melville v Perth SC, Fremantle City v Balcatta Etna, Subiaco v UWA-Nedlands.
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