A quick look at the 2024-25 Ninja A-League fixture would’ve been enough to bring a smile to any Australian football fan following Kyah Simon’s return to Sydney FC.
Round 1. Saturday, November 2. Industree Group Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC.
It’s set to be Simon’s first game back in Sky Blue after seven years and, in a twist of fate, it just so happens to be against her former side in Gosford.
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The Matildas star joined the Mariners in 2023-24 for the club’s return to the Ninja A-League. Central Coast’s 15-year absence from the competition came to an end last season, and Simon’s season followed the comeback theme at the club; an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury denied the veteran striker any minutes at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and her return to the Ninja A-League saw Simon continue on her road to recovery.
Eventually Simon’s season gathered momentum. She ended the campaign with 12 appearances to her name, three goals and one assist as the Mariners made the Semi-Finals, only to be knocked out by eventual Champions – and Simon’s new club – Sydney FC.
FULL STORY: Matildas icon returns to Ninja A-League champs after 7 years
In her first interview as a Sydney signing, Simon was asked about the Round 1 matchup with the Mariners, and whether her departure from the club would spark a rivalry between the two sides this season.
“I think it always does when you play against your old team,” Simon said.
“I think there’s always that little bit of extra motivation. It’s obviously a derby just being up the freeway as well.
“I think ultimately, being in the Sydney FC setup, any team is a rivalry.
“I think always when you’re at the top, every team has that extra motivation to want to beat the best, and ultimately, Sydney are the best from last season. So there’ll definitely be, I think, an extra bit of rivalry. And yeah, I’m sure we’ll be up for the challenge.”
“I think that adds to the drama, to the hype and that extra motivation. As players, that ultimately it gives you bragging rights.
“We want to win. We’re here to win and be a successful club and team. And ultimately, every game that we go in is going to be a rivalry or a derby, to some extent.”
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The 33-year-old has returned to the club where she won two Premierships and just as many Grand Finals early in her career; now she’s targeting more success in Sky Blue as her new team targets a third-consecutive Championship.
“I think winning and winning trophies is in Sydney FC’s DNA,” Simon said. “I think as a professional footballer, you want to be successful no matter where you go. You want to win trophies, medals and Championships, and that was definitely one of the biggest draw cards for me.
“It’s ingrained in the culture here in Sydney, from the men’s men’s side to the women’s side, and I’m hoping that we can emulate some of the success from previous seasons.”
Get your tickets to Central Coast v Sydney FC in Round 1!
The club is in safe hands heading into the 2024-25 campaign after head coach Juric was handed a fresh two-year contract following Sydney’s 2024 Grand Final triumph over Melbourne City.
Juric has taken Sydney FC to seven-consecutive Grand Finals since his appointment 2017 and is the longest-serving head coach in Sydney’s history.
However, the recent departure of Tony Gustavsson as Matildas head coach, and the instalment of Tom Sermanni as interim boss, has led to links between Juric – a former Matildas assistant – and the top job with the national team.
Simon, who won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with the Matildas in 2010, was asked whether she felt her new coach should be in the conversation to take on the top job.
“I played under Ante who was in the Matilda set up years ago, so I’ve had a long standing relationship with Ante,” Simon said.
“He’s a quality coach. I think his track record speaks for itself in terms of what he brings to the club, what he can offer as a coach.
“It’s up to him in terms of personal preference, where he sees his career going, but he’s definitely proven his value, I think, as a head coach at club level. And who knows what is next on the cards for him?”
Get your tickets to Central Coast v Sydney FC in Round 1!
