Courtney Newbon’s Melbourne Victory will go head-to-head with Sarah Langman’s Central Coast Mariners in Sunday’s Ninja A-League Grand Final, but it could have been so different for both goalkeepers.
It is a fascinating Grand Final storyline from a parallel universe – the same one that captured the minds of fans during the 2023-24 Finals Series.
Last season, Newbon started as a last-minute replacement signing for Central Coast heading into Round 1.
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Why? She was drafted in after Langman, 29, suffered an injury on the eve of the season.
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However, the Mariners opted against extending the 24-year-old’s short-term deal in favour of recruiting Melbourne Victory legend Casey Dumont, who had departed Melbourne at the end of 2022-23 to take up a deal with Hawthorn in AFLW.
Then, Newbon – who has a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology – ended up at Victory as an emergency signing after injuries to Miranda Templeman and then Matildas great Lydia Williams.
It led to a reunion in the Elimination Final as the Mariners came out on top against Newbon’s Victory.
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Fast forward to this weekend’s showpiece and it will be another tantalising reunion.
No longer a short-term recruit but the undisputed number one with 25 appearances in 2024-25, Victory’s Newbon will go up against the goalkeeper she stepped in for in Gosford almost 24 months ago.
It will be the first time both Newbon and Langman – who has made 26 appearances for the Mariners this term – will play in a Ninja A-League Grand Final.
Victory have broken all kinds of club records to earn a spot in the big dance at AAMI Park, while the Mariners have defied the odds and unbeaten premiers Melbourne City to reach their first Grand Final after just two seasons in the competition following a 14-year hiatus.
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