Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie is hoping third time’s a charm as the Socceroo eyes the ultimate glory in Saturday night’s historic Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final against Melbourne Victory.
Leckie – a three-time Premiership winner – is eyeing his first Championship since returning home to Melbourne, where a capacity crowd will witness the maiden Melbourne Derby Grand Final in the 20-year history of competition.
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Saturday will represent Leckie’s third Grand Final in City colours, having lost his previous two appearances in deciders and the 34-year-old former Hertha Berlin, Ingolstadt and Borussia Monchengladbach forward is looking to hoist the trophy aloft.
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“It’ll mean a lot,” Leckie told reporters when asked what it would mean to win the Grand Final. “I came back wanting to be successful.
“I think I came out back at a good age, and the one thing that I haven’t been able to do is win a Grand Final. So third time lucky.
“We’ve had a really consistent season and if we can play to the best of our ability and put it all together, I think we’ve got a real strong chance.
“In saying that, we understand Victory strengths and they’re a quality side, and they’ve proven that. They’ve gone all the way from fifth position. So they’ve also got the right mentality and the players to to give us a hard time. So we’ve got to be on our game.”
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Saturday night’s Isuzu UTE A-League showpiece is sold out at AAMI Park, where 2021 champions City will feature in their fifth Grand Final in six years.
“Making a Grand Final’s one thing, but the fact that it’s never been a Derby, Melbourne Victory versus Melbourne city, it’s pretty special,” Leckie told reporters.
“It sets for a great occasion.”
Leckie added: “It’s amazing that the tickets were sold so fast. It’s a big occasion, and everyone’s excited for it. We are too. So we are too.
“There’s nothing better than a full stadium and the experience of being out there to compete on that stage, and also potentially do something special is all the motivation every player needs to go out there and give everything.”
How to watch?
For Australian viewers, the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final will be telecast live on Network 10, and streamed exclusively on 10 Play and Paramount+.
For New Zealand viewers, the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final will be shown live on Sky Sport, streamed on Sky Sport Now.
