With the new Ninja A-League 2025-26 season just a week away, aleagues.com.au caught up with Central Coast Mariners and CommBank Matildas star Isabel Gomez, as she prepares to go again this season…
It still hasn’t quite sunk in for Isabel Gomez.
Only a few short months ago, the 23-year-old midfielder was standing on the podium at AAMI Park, confetti falling all around her, as the Central Coast Mariners ended the Ninja A-League 2-2024-25 season in the best possible way – with the Championship trophy secured and on its way back to Gosford.
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“It feels like the Grand Final was yesterday. To already be starting the next season — it’s kind of crazy,” laughed Gomez when speaking to aleagues.com.au as the Mariners began their pre-season campaign several weeks ago.
That dizzying turnaround sums up the last twelve months for Gomez, who has been on quite the rollercoaster ride since signing on with the Mariners for their return to the Ninja A-League in 2023-24.
But it’s the last 12 months in particular that have been a whirlwind for the midfield maestro.
The series of dramatic events in the life of the Mariners midfielder began in November 2024, with Gomez’s impressive club form earning her a maiden CommBank Matildas call-up. However, a cruel twist of fate rendered Gomez unavailable for selection after she suffered a knee injury shortly after reeving the call – an injury which left her sidelined for three months.
Downbeat and disheartened, yes. But Gomez went after her rehab like she would a loose ball in midfield, and it was her tigerish desire that would ultimately help steer the Mariners to one of the most memorable Ninja A-League triumphs of all time.
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Not only did she score the dramatic last-gasp goal that saw the Mariners defeat the previously invincible Premiers Melbourne City in the Semi-Finals, but she then scored in the Grand Final, converted her penalty kick in the shootout and was named Player of the Match as Emily Husband’s side secured a dramatic 5-4 win over Melbourne Victory in the shootout.
To cap it all off? Well, Gomez finally got her cap, with the midfielder making her international debut in the second half of the Matildas’ 4-1 win against Argentina back in June.
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“I do feel a bit proud, actually,” she says with a smile. “It’s been nice — not just winning the Grand Final, but getting a cap as well. It’s a really nice feeling.
“My friends and family have been amazing. I get messages saying how proud they are and how they can’t believe they’re seeing me out there. It’s really nice to hear those things.
“And I do get a couple of kids once in a while (who recognise me) — that’s another really good feeling!”
Having established herself as one of the premier midfielders in the Ninja A-League, overseas interest in Gomez’s services was high during the off-season.
As is visible from the graphic below, Gomez’s output from last season (albeit with the caveat being she spent three months out injured) would see her easily compare with some of the best midfielders in European football’s top five leagues over the last 15 years.
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So why then did she decide to stay on the Coast?
“Yeah, there was some interest outside of Australia, which was a good feeling. But I think my thoughts were just one more season at Central Coast, to have a solid season and then we’ll go from there.”
Exactly where the Mariners go this season though, promises to be one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the Ninja A-League 2025-26 campaign.
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As is to be expected in the competition, talented players move on to pastures new while the ever-reliable conveyor belt of young talent offers up the next crop of youngsters just itching to get their shot in the Ninja A-League.
But while the Mariners no doubt pulled off a real coup by keeping their star midfielder at polytec Stadium for the coming campaign, they have lost the tactical brains behind the operation, with Championship winning head coach Emily Husband moving on from the club to join Matildas boss Joe Montemurro’s coaching staff.
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“Yeah, it does feel like that (strange) a little bit, Em (Husband) was a big part of our journey and to not have her, it’s hard.
“But I guess that’s football, and that’s just a challenge that the team has to face.
“The whole squad is kind of new as well, so that’s another challenge we’re facing as well.”
Among those to have left the club in the off-season from a playing perspective were regular first-team starters Bianca Galic, Jessika Nash and Taylor Ray – three players of whom proved themselves to be critical cogs in the Mariners’ title-winning machine last season.
However, now under the tutelage of new head coach Kory Babbington, Gomez believes the fact that her side could look completely different in season 2025-26 could well prove to be big advantage.
“I guess it gives a bit of excitement in our team now,” she says.
“People might not know what to expect from us – and honestly, we’re not totally sure yet either!
She added: “But through pre-season, we’ll find that out.”
The defending Champions kick off their Ninja A-League title defence against last season’s beaten semi-finalists Adelaide United at polytec Stadium on Sunday, November 2.
