Melbourne Derby stakes are always high, but when you throw in a chance to make a grand final, and a first ever finals meeting between the rivals, it just made Sunday different. We had photographer Rachel Bach at AAMI Park to take us to places we don’t usually see, and for a different view on what goes on in an A-Leagues match day.
Hours before kick-off, the players arrive. I am perched out the entrance, awaiting them. They are so relaxed.
That mood continues as they head onto the pitch.
The Victory players are throwing and kicking an American football. Every time a player catches the ball, their teammates’ loud cheers and applause echo around the stadium.
Down the other end, Holly McNamara and Rhianna Pollicina present Rebekah Stott with a gift – today is her 100th A-League match.
Such is the life of a photographer, I turned just in time to catch this special moment!
While the player head back inside to begin final preparations, I make mine. I know I have some spare time before they emerge again for warm-ups. I choose my shooting position along the sideline – opting for the half without a linesperson in front of me. I want to make sure my view is as obstacle-free as possible.
As the players come out to warm up, I start snapping away. This is my chance to get comfortable with the conditions and the movement.
The sun hides behind the clouds for most of the warm up, and another photographer informs me that rain is now a possibility. Photographing in Melbourne means being prepared for anything, despite the forecast.
After the players leave the pitch, I head towards the middle of the ground. I crouch down behind the broadcast camera, knowing that once the players walk out I’ll need to quickly move out of the way. Whilst I want to make sure I capture the best frames possible, I don’t want to stop others from doing their jobs. Being aware of your surroundings is key.
As I’m heading back to my spot on the sideline, the City players form a huddle in my path. I take the opportunity to snap a few frames of Emma Checker’s address to her team. There’s plenty of passion on display.
The match begins, and there are chances at both ends early. There are times where I’m focused on a player who takes a shot, but I don’t track the ball. Instead, I keep my camera pointed at them and use cues such as their facial expressions or crowd noise to tell me what’s happened. Without seeing her attempt, I can tell Stotty has come close to scoring based on this photo. I don’t have to rely on those cues as much for action down the other end, where I have a wider view.
As the match progresses, the crowd noise is loud. I find it difficult to hear the players speaking, and wonder if they’re having the same problem. There is one voice that stands out, however. Melissa Barbieri is behind me in the stands, unable to play due to a red card suspension. She’s offering instructions and encouragement like she would when she stands in goal – there’s no holding back.
Eventually, Melina Ayres breaks the deadlock.
I’m down the opposite end, but I fire off frames as her teammates run to celebrate with her. There’s plenty of luck involved with capturing these moments.
At halftime, Victory lead 2-0. I decide to start the second half in the same spot – perhaps I’ll be in the right position for another Victory goal. If City gets within one goal, however, I could switch ends. If they manage to equalise, it would be a great moment to capture. These are the types of scenarios that I’m constantly considering.
I wait by the tunnel as the players come out for the second half. Kyra Cooney-Cross jumps up to high-five a young fan – it’s one of my favourite frames for the day. The players always have time for their fans, and I love showcasing that.
It doesn’t take long for the first scenario I considered to occur – Victory captain Lia Privitelli scores. She turns around and starts sprinting. I can tell from the angle of her body that she’s heading towards the bench, so that’s where I focus. Their faces say it all.
Whilst City manages to put one away late in the match, time is running out. The fourth official signals for five minutes of additional time. It’s a nerve wracking wait for the final whistle – I always hope the ball – and therefore some players – are close to me so I can capture their reactions. In this instance, I’m lucky – play ends right in front of me.
Victory players jump into each other’s arms, while City players fall to the floor. I have to balance capturing the joy and devastation – both emotions tell important stories.
Across the field, I watch as injured City player McNamara heads straight towards teammate Pollicina. When City last played here, the roles were reversed – Pollicina was consoling McNamara, who’d just torn her ACL. It’s moments like this where you see the strong bonds within teams on full display.
With so much going on, it can be difficult to know where to focus. My adrenaline is pumping. I’m constantly looking around the ground for moments that show a range of emotions.
As the players start to leave the field, I follow Victory around the pitch. They celebrate with each other, as well as with their fans. At times I find myself running to get in front of them – I don’t want to miss anything. You never quite know what’s coming next, but it’s certainly exciting.
As the celebrations start to wind down, I notice Amy Jackson out of the corner of my eye. She’s smiling as she kicks a ball with a young child. They start to walk across the pitch together, hand in hand. What stands out to me is that despite the ice strapped to her ankle, she’s so generous with her time and attention. These interactions are common in the Liberty A-League.
It’s been a memorable season in Melbourne, and the third derby was no exception. With so much on the line, you could see how much this match meant to the players, to the staff, to the fans. It was written all over their faces – both in victory and defeat.
For Victory, it’s been a tough road to finals, but they’ve peaked at the right time. They were simply too good for their rivals yesterday. Now, a chance to win back-to-back championships beckons. There’s everything to play for in Sydney on Sunday in the biggest match of the season.
