Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners meet this Sunday in the 17th Ninja A-League Grand Final. aleagues.com.au previews the contest, the key match-ups, the storylines, the coaches and where the match could be won and lost.
In a lot of ways, this Sunday’s Ninja A-League Grand Final is a battle between the old guard and the new.
Melbourne Victory, arguably the biggest club in Australia with extensive history in the competition, host a Central Coast Mariners outfit whose return last season makes them, for all intents and purposes, the youngest side going around.
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Jeff Hopkins, the most experienced coach in Ninja A-League history, won the very first Grand Final back in 2009 with Brisbane Roar. His opposite number Emily Husband has been a professional head coach for just two years and represents a bright new generation.
On one side, you’ve got Emily Gielnik, the decorated Matildas striker with 60 caps for her country. On the other, teenager Annalise Rasmussen with an entire career ahead of her.
In four trips to the decider, Victory have lost just once. Mariners have broken new ground by just reaching this Grand Final, knocking off a Melbourne City side who had not lost in 24 matches thanks to a 121st minute goal that will be talked about for years to come.
Now, the stage is set for an intriguing Grand Final with storylines galore.
Hopkins v Husband: The master v the newcomer
Victory boss Hopkins is a Ninja A-League institution and this weekend could see him extend his record four Grand Final triumphs, provided he gets past a highly-rated newcomer.
“A lot of the girls are not only motivated to win this trophy for themselves, but we want to win the trophy for Jeff,” Gielnik said on Dub Zone.
“It’s not brought up enough, who we play for and why we play, but he’s a big part of the reason. He brings out the best in everyone. He’s one of the fairest guys I know.
“He’s a great coach, and he deserves a little bit of silverware. He’s been at the club for a long time, but nothing would make me happier this year than to top it off lifting that trophy.”
In the other dugout is Husband, who makes history as the first woman to coach in a decider since Jess Fishlock player-coached Melbourne City to the title in 2017.
Her journey from NPL coach to bona fide A-Leagues rising star is a brilliant one, underpinned by astute recruitment, the building of a special culture and a willingness to back unheralded talent with a point to prove.
Should the Mariners triumph, she would become just the fourth woman to win the Championship.
Newbon v Langman: A twist of fate
Not even two years ago, it would’ve been absurd to suggest that Courtney Newbon and Sarah Langman would be rival goalkeepers in a Ninja A-League Grand Final.
In fact, a twist of fate in 2023 set up an extraordinary storyline that will play out this Sunday.
It was an injury to Langman on the eve of the Mariners first game back in the competition that opened the door for Newbon to sign an injury replacement deal that re-launched her career. She took the opportunity with both hands, before the signing of Casey Dumont – who incidentally decided the last final between these two teams from the penalty spot – saw her released and ultimately join the Victory.
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This term, both Newbon and Langman have been in inspired form, ranking second and first respectively for save percentage across the Ninja A-League.
Newbon leads the league in clean sheets (11) and her influence is such that she even provided an assist for Gielnik in the Semi-Final first leg win over Adelaide United a fortnight ago.
In three meetings between Victory and the Mariners this term, there have been just five goals scored; rest assured, goalkeeping could play a big role in deciding this Grand Final.
A case for the defence: Could we see a selection curveball?
Hopkins’ sides are known for their defensive solidity and this season has been no exception with Victory boasting the best defensive record in the competition.
Captain Kayla Morrison remains one of the most reliable defenders in the Ninja A-League and her partnership with New Zealand international Claudia Bunge, who has also proved a force going forward of late, is the backbone of a steely rearguard.
Meanwhile, Alana Jancevski has been reborn at left-back this season, providing wicked delivery from wide areas that the Mariners will need to protect themselves against, while the experienced Ellie Wilson is an England youth international.
At the other end of the park, Husband has a decision to make.
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Taylor Ray has been repurposed brilliantly as a centre-back since Ash Irwin’s injury early in the campaign but the return of captain Taren King, who came off the bench against City in the semi-final last weekend, offers a temptation to rejig a working system.
Despite an injury scare of her own in the Elimination Final, Ray got through 80 minutes in the Mariners’ most recent outing and looks raring to go for the big dance.
“Are we at the point where Taylor Ray goes back into midfield, because Taryn King can start in defense, and the Mariners decide we don’t want to use Taylor Ray as a center back?” Ninja A-League commentator Teo Pelizzerri said on Dub Zone.
“We want to use her as a midfielder, because it was only (Greta) Kraszula’s all this third start of the season in both legs of this semi final, which again (was) bold coaching.”
Ninja A-League legend Teresa Polias added: “I do believe, given her injury, it’s all about minutes. And I think she started over Taren King because they were unsure how long she could actually go for.
“So, you know, it’s risky, and Taren King’s come back from a major injury too, so I think, you know, we’ll see things remain as they were.”
Whatever happens, you can expect to see three former Victory players in the Mariners’ defence. Jessika Nash has been an everpresent this term since arriving in the off season, while cross-code star Sarah Rowe provides athleticism and go forward from right-back.
Then there’s left-back Annabel Martin.
“I think the combativeness of Annabelle Martin, let’s not forget a play who was jettisoned by the victory,” Pelizzerri explained.
“She was there through their darkest times, through their wooden spoon seasons, and then when the victory finally started to improve Victory, said, ‘Annabelle, we don’t want you to be part of this journey. Go and find your fend for yourself elsewhere’.
“So if there’s one player that is going to be determined to come back and prove a point, it’s Mildura girl, Annabel Martin against one of her former teams.”
Gomez, Chidiac and a midfield arm wrestle
Further up the park, a midfield arm wrestle looks set to play a big role in deciding who wins this game.
Victory have held the upper hand in this department historically, with the likes of Matildas midfielders Alana Murphy and Alex Chidiac, alongside US import Sara D’Appolonia, represent one of the most accomplished engine rooms in the competition.
“It seems like this is a battle of contrasting midfields where Victory draws a lot of fouls. You’ve got the laconic Murphy, you’ve got the evasive Chidiac, and then you’ve got the really explosive (Isabel) Gomez,” Pelizzerri explained.
“Discipline for the mariners will be huge, because Chidiac draws a lot of fouls, and as we’ve seen, Victory very rarely foul.
“I don’t think you could have more light and shade in terms of the midfield. But the reality is, Victory’s midfield has had the measure of these Mariners’ one in the head to head so far.”
On the other side of the coin, Bianca Galic has been brilliant for the Mariners this term, while Isabel Gomez is getting better and better since returning from the devastating injury that caused her to miss out on her maiden Matildas call-up in Novermber, suffered against – you guessed it – Victory.
Greta Kaszula started the semi-final second leg, but Tess Quilligan – whose introduction turned that clash – looms as a tantalising option for Husband, given her ability to keep the ball.
X factor looms after decisive SF moment
Both of these teams have significant fire power.
Gielnik’s pedigree has her among the top four scorers in competition history alongside the likes of Michelle Heyman, Sam Kerr and Tameka Yallop. Nikki Flannery has long been tipped as a possible game-changer at this stage of the season, while Rachel Lowe’s quality in that false nine role has been clear to see, particularly in recent weeks as the goals began to flow again.
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In yellow, Rasmussen has improved her game in front of goal this term and looks set for a big career, while Jade Pennock’s experience and influence have been clear.
The player who looms as the biggest wildcard in this Grand Final however is Brooke Nunn.
Throughout this season, the former Arsenal star’s street smarts have been on show and they told again over the weekend as Lourdes Bosch bit after a scuffle and was sent off inside half an hour. That moment changed everything and is a large reason why the Mariners are here.
“Brooke is an interesting one, she brings a lot of good energy,” Ray said on Dub Zone.
“She’s a goofy individual, but she’s also got that fiery side. She’s such a kind hearted person, but on the field, she knows how to be professional, but she’s also mentally strong where she is going to be a little bit cheeky to players, and how she handles that is really street smart because how they react, obviously, that could help us.
“Getting that red card meant (Melbourne City) went down to 10 men, and that changes the entire like context of the game.
“Little things like that actually play a big role in those big situations.
“She’s a class player. Technically, great with her feet, she drives, she can shoot, she can score, and we’ve seen that throughout the season. I’m just actually really excited for her to express herself more this weekend, because I know she has more to give than what we saw on the weekend – and that’s just the beginning for her.”
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners. This Sunday at AAMI Park. Don’t miss it.
