Annalise Rasmussen was Central Coast Mariners’ first signing upon their return to the Ninja A-League. Now, the young gun is gearing up for Sunday’s Grand Final.
From 11-year-old Gosford prospect to first-team star and now a mouth-watering A-Leagues decider against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park. It has been a long journey to this point.
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That journey is not lost on Rasmussen, who became Central Coast’s inaugural signing as the Mariners returned to the competition following a 14-year-old hiatus.
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“It’s pretty crazy,” the 19-year-old told reporters.
“I remember all throughout high school, like me and my friends would go down to Gosford and watch the men’s teams play.
“Obviously now I’m the one playing, and to play at AAMI Park, it doesn’t happen all the time. So, yeah, it’s pretty surreal.”
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The Mariners have defied the odds to make the Ninja A-League Grand Final in just their second season since returning to the competition.
Central Coast shocked two-time reigning premiers Melbourne City in extra time of their nail-biting Semi-Final. City had enjoyed an invinicible campaign, having not lost a game up until that point.
Rasmussen has played a key role for the Mariners, scoring a career-high six goals heading into Sunday’s showpiece.
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“I didn’t even know what to expect,” Rasmussen replied when asked if she thought it was possible to reach a Grand Final two seasons in.
“I don’t even think, not only me, but I don’t think anyone believed that we’d get to the Grand Final.
“To be here today, it’ credit to Em (head coach Emily Husband), starting from scratch. I don’t even know where she would have begun but credit to her for getting her team here.”
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Asked the same question, Mariners head coach Emily Husband added: “Yes and no.
“I always had the belief in the players that I’ve picked, that they can do something extraordinary, and they have done that.
“Obviously, you don’t anticipate for things to happen this quickly. But I thought after the back of the season, the first season we had in the competition, I knew that we could go one better.
“Whether it was going to happen this year or next year, I wasn’t too sure, but I always had the faith that if it gives us a little bit more time, we could really, really achieve something fantastic together.
“Credit to the players that they have been fantastic this season and they’ve done it.”
