Melbourne City defender Taylor Otto and head coach Michael Matricciani were doused in water during post-game interviews as the club’s “invincible” squad celebrated securing the 2024-25 Ninja A-League Premiership title in Perth on Friday night.
City are the Premiers again in the Ninja A-League and, having wrapped up the 2024-25 title with a thumping 5-1 win over Perth at Sam Kerr Football Centre, the celebrations began in earnest – and not even a broadcast interview was going to spare either Otto or Matricciani from being soaked in the celebrations.
INVINCIBLE PREMIERS! City go back-to-back as goalfest caps off season for the ages
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Both the star centre-back and City head coach were ambushed mid-interview in hilarious scenes following the clinching of the club’s second consecutive Premiership title, and fourth in Ninja A-League history.
“We might have some trouble getting Taylor Otto back – they have absolutely ambushed you there!” Said Network 10 commentator Teo Pellizzeri, as City players arrived on the scene of the centre-back’s interview to pour bottle after bottle of water over her head.
“Taylor Otto there, absolutely ambushed by her teammates getting the Gatorade bath,” Pellizzeri said at the conclusion of the interview. “That’s normally reserved for the coach!”
Pellizzeri’s words proved prophetic.
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Next up was Matricciani on the broadcast and, as Pellizzeri posed a question to the head coach, City teammates Holly McNamara, Bryleeh Henry and Otto were seen scampering across the background of the shot.
The City trio then appeared with a cooler full of water and ice, and proceeded to pour the contents all over their Premiership-winning coach.
INVINCIBLE PREMIERS! City go back-to-back as goalfest caps off season for the ages
“Stay with us, Michael!” Pellizzeri said, as McNamara jumped on the shoulders of her head coach before fleeing the scene. “As you take a bath, do stay with us – it’s part of being a coach!”
“These moments are very special,” Matricciani said, before admitting: “Look, I’ve forgotten the question, to be honest!”
City were right to be joyous on Friday night as they celebrated an emphatic end to an invincible regular season. The 2024-25 Premiers ended the campaign with their 16th win from 23 games – a season that featured seven draws and zero losses.
Mattriciani’s City are just the fourth team in Ninja A-League history to have gone through an entire regular season unbeaten.
INVINCIBLE PREMIERS! City go back-to-back as goalfest caps off season for the ages
