Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au brings you all the biggest talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 23, thanks to Mitre.
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‘One trophy down’ for history-making Melbourne City: ‘Words can’t describe the feelings’
Melbourne City head coach Michael Matricciani was at a loss to describe his side wrapping up the Premiership on Friday night.
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The 5-1 rout of Perth Glory not only delivered back-to-back Premier’s Plates but also secured an invincible season for the 2023-24 Grand Finalists, while Holly McNamara clinched the Golden Boot.
City’s 16th win of the campaign, to go with seven draws and 0 defeats, ensured the club’s fourth Premiership in their Ninja A-League history.
FINALS SERIES: What you need to know with Ninja A-League fixtures locked in
Matricciani’s City will face the lowest-placed Elimination Final winner after securing a week off as premiers.
INVINCIBLE PREMIERS! City go back-to-back as goalfest caps off season for the ages
“Look, words can’t describe the feelings that are going through, my body at the moment,” Matricciani said. “I’m just super proud. From day one, the club has welcomed me. The players have welcomed me. It’s been an absolute pleasure coaching them so far.
“One trophy down and to go undefeated, you know, I couldn’t have ever imagined that. But, it’s a true testament to the determination and the quality and the focus of these girls. So all the credit goes to them and yeah, just, really excited.”
Invincibles in 2024-25, they have become just the fourth team to go the entire regular season unbeaten.
Ninja A-League unbeaten regular seasons:
- Canberra United (2011-12) – P10, W7, D3
- Melbourne City (2015-16) – P12, W12
- Melbourne City (2019-20) – P12, W11, D1
- Melbourne City (2024-25) – P23, W16, D7
“I’ve never really thought about it [going invincible],” he said. “We’ve never talked about it once.
“Obviously, the media and people talk about it, and always around when we’re breaking the record of, 19, 20 games or whatever, it was undefeated. You obviously have that thought in your process. But as a manager, as a staff, we were never talking about going undefeated, we always focus on what’s next.
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“We’re always focusing on, how we can get better. And even the lead up to this game was all about how we can continue to improve. We still have a lot of football to go, but we wanted to get this one done. And what a super, super performance tonight.
“So really pleased. But yeah, I think after the season like we might enjoy it a little bit more, but we’ve still got a lot of football to play.”
Adelaide complete turnaround as Elimination Final awaits
From the wooden spoon in 2023-24 to third place and the Finals Series this season. It has been an incredible turnaround by Adelaide United.
MATCH REPORT: Wonderful Worts turns on the style as comeback win sends Adelaide flying into finals
The high-flying Reds will now look ahead to an Elimination Final against Western United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday, April 27 in what is only their second ever Finals Series.
“I’m just super grateful. Last year was tough, but the club stuck by the players and coaching staff,” said head coach Adrian Stenta.
“We made some changes, yes, but a lot of the core remained, and they’ve shown real character to turn things around. I couldn’t be prouder of this group.”
Stenta added: “We’ve played all of the top eight sides in recent weeks and had to lean on different players. The level hasn’t dropped when we’ve made changes, and that’s what you want heading into a finals series.
“We’ll be a tricky proposition for anyone.”
It was also a milestone match for Adelaide star Dylan Holmes, who made her 100th appearance as a Red.
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“Dylan probably epitomises everything this club stands for. She’s a fantastic person and was great again today,” said Stenta.
“I hope she’s here for many more years – I’d love to see her rack up another hundred.”
Melbourne Victory full of confidence after ‘best season we’ve ever played’
Bring on the Finals. That is the vibe coming out of in-form Melbourne Victory following their 2-0 win over 10-player Brisbane Roar.
Nickoletta Flannery’s stunning first-half strike and Alex Chidiac’s second-half nutmeg guided Victory to a club-record extending 13th game without defeat, which also includes an historic run of eight consecutive wins.
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Victory’s Premiership hopes were dashed by rivals Melbourne City on Friday night but the second-placed outfit closed out the regular season with momentum still on their side.
“I’m really proud of the team,” said head coach Jeff Hopkins. “This is the best season we’ve ever played. Our biggest haul of points. 53 points is great for us and this makes seven wins in a row, our 11th clean sheet for the season.
“We are in really good shape and looking forward to the finals series. I put it down to the playing group. They are a really determined group of players.
“They are all technically very good, but are comfortable to push the sleeves up and go out there to work hard and do what they need to do to win games.
“They really want to win this year and that focus has been really important for us. They have worked really hard.
“Every international break we have played games, they are super fit and every day, they come in they leave everything out on the field.”
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Bragging rights for Mariners in F3 Derby
The iconic guardrail is in the hands of Central Coast Mariners after Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Newcastle Jets and it means the Mariners head into their Elimination Final on a winning run.
MATCH REPORT: Finals-bound Central Coast claim hat-trick of F3 Derby wins after come-from-behind triumph
The Mariners, who have won three straight games against rivals Newcastle, got their hands on the unique F3 Derby trophy – a piece of guardrail from the M1 motorway.
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“Very important for us,” Mariners midfielder Bianca Galic told Paramount+ post-game with Canberra United awaiting in the Elimination Final.
“We wanted to go into this finals run on a good note.
“Coming back from behind showed how much fight we have in us.”
Newcastle goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak produced an inspired display with a string of impressive saves but it was not enough to lift the Jets past the Mariners.
“Credit to Newcastle’s keeper tonight,” added Galic. “She definitely pulled off a lot of saves that we would’ve been more frustrated with than usual.”
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Kiwi young gun celebrates landmark goal for finals-bound Canberra
There was a landmark strike and a golazo as Canberra United ensured they head into their Elimination Final in good form.
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MATCH REPORT: Golazo headlines in-form Canberra United’s latest win as an Elimination Final awaits
After Darcey Malone broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, Gordon stepped up and curled a set-piece past a helpless Aimee Hall five minutes into the second half.
Bronte Trew’s second goal in two games gave the Wanderers some hope before Nathan’s goal sealed a third consecutive win for Canberra, who are back in the Finals Series for the first time since 2020-21.
“It felt really good,” Nathan told Paramount+. “I felt like we had a really good team performance and it was just a cherry on top.
“It’s good momentum going into our finals game next week.”
Nathan continued: “We’re so happy to make finals. we’ve worked so hard this season.
“I feel like we’ve put in a lot in training and we’re looking forward to the moment (in Elimination Final).”
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End of an era for Wellington Phoenix
A new chapter awaits Wellington Phoenix following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with finals-bound Western United.
MATCH REPORT: Western dealt finals blow as Nix snatch a draw in legend’s final outing
During the week, the Phoenix opted not to extend Temple’s contract into a third season and at Porirua Park, Wellington’s Emma Main cancelled out Sara Eggesvik’s second-half opener in the draw.
Temple walked on to the pitch with his two daughters and was warmly greeted by the Yellow Fever.
“It was lovely to be able to do that.
“We moved here from Auckland nine and a half years ago so it’s them as well as me you know.”
Temple said: “Whoever comes in next can just add layers and the foundations are there to go on and keep getting better.
“I wish the club all the best. I’ve loved being here at the club. It’s been an awesome nine and a half years and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Phoenix captain Longo also announced her shock retirement from professional football.
“I didn’t want today to be about me,” said Longo when speaking to club media after the game.
“I’m pretty emotional. I got subbed off and then the girls scored a goal so clearly they don’t need me!
“I’ve said right from the start that I just wanted to give absolutely everything in the Phoenix jersey, and I think I’ve done that.
“Never guarantee what the future holds but it’s my last game of professional football.
