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Leticia McKenna scored one of the two screamers in the grand final, likely pipping teammate Holly McNamara for goal of the game. The City midfielder explains her thought process before launching a rocket as she speaks with Paramount+, as her mind begins to drift toward an Asian Champions League semi-final in a few days.
double quotation markIt’s so special. I can’t believe it, but I can believe – this group works so hard.
It just came to me in the moment. Holly scored a banger at the other end so I just thought I’d try my luck. It as been a wild few months.
We’ll all be together tonight, and on the plane tomorrow morning, but we can take a lot of confidence from this.
Updated at 04.19 EDT
Melbourne City captain Rebekah Stott is left grinning from ear to ear as she speaks with Paramount+ and gives high praise to her teammates for scoring some memorable goals at the right time.
double quotation markIt was unbelievable. We nailed the game plan tonight. You can just see the talent on the pitch. To pull that out tonight, in a grand final, is so special.
ShareFull-time: Melbourne City 3-1 Wellington Phoenix
Melbourne City are A-League Women champions for a record-equalling fifth time after a rollicking grand final win over Wellington Phoenix. It took two goals in as many minutes from City striker Holly McNamara to separate the two teams at half-time, before a screamer from Leticia McKenna extended the lead. The Phoenix soon responded with a goal to Makala Woods and kept pushing right to the death but City held on to break their six-year championship drought.
90 mins: Credit to the Nix as they keep pushing hard even as the game ticks into stoppage time. There will be another three minutes.
88 mins: City are happy to keep the ball in the corner with McNamara playing a lone hand up front. The Nix win it back claim a goal kick that Victoria Esson quick sends long. Macey Fraser reads it best and picks up the ball in midfield then sends in a tricky cross that City are happy to see bounce across the goalmouth and out for a corner.
85 mins: Aideen Keane has been more prominent in the second half and is finishing full of running while others begin to tire. She dribbles the ball into the box and tries to find McNamara charging past but the block earns City a valuable corner.
83 mins: Bryleeh Henry picks up the ball from a throw-in on the right side and sets off for the penalty box. The run comes to nothing with no one in front of her as City are camping back now, but it’s a reminder that Henry has been a key to most of the premiers’ brighter moments.
80 mins: City are slowing this right down at any opportunity now but concede a sloppy corner. Ellie Walker gets on to the end of the cross but can’t keeper the header down to stay on target.
77 mins: City are back in command and have the second half of a domestic double within touching distance. Leticia McKenna is subbed out with her screamer looking all the more important as the Nix keep pushing for a second.
75 mins: Holly McNamara streams forward again with Mackenzie Barry for company and the Nix captain tidies up again. Barry is understandably giving McNamara next to no room in this second half, but the damage has likely already been done.
72 mins: City won’t mind some moments of confusion over a drop ball and which team has soon earned a throw-in. Mackenzie Anthony picks up the first yellow card of the final.
70 mins: Mackenzie Anthony has been called into the action and almost makes an immediate impact for the Nix. Anthony’s header is on target but she can’t get enough behind it to truly test Malena Mieres.
67 mins: Phoenix coach Bev Priestman is ringing the changes now with Manaia Elliott and Pia Vlok both pulled off in favour of fresh legs. Elliott is left grimacing on the bench hopefully just due to fatigue from her tireless efforts trying to track City’s Bryleeh Henry.
64 mins: Bryleeh Henry charges into the box with Manaia Elliott trailing behind her. The City attacker gets a foot to the long crossfield pass but can’t quite bring it under control. That’s a warning to the Nix though as they chase the game while in danger of one more goal going the other way all but ending their hopes.
62 mins: A moment to breathe for the players as City take back control in the midfield. But their defence is sitting deep and continuing to invite pressure.
60 mins: While the Nix are pushing forward with a wave of momentum behind them and a desperate need to narrow the margin, gaps are starting to open up going the other way whenever City win back the ball. McNamara nearly gets away on the counter but an untidy touch allows the ball to trickle out for a throw. Still half an hour to go!
57 mins: The Nix keep coming with Makala Woods now looking like the key to their hopes as something seems to happen whenever she gets near the ball. Malena Mieres collects a high ball and tries to take some time and heat out of the game.
54 mins: The Phoenix have awoken. A surge into the box from Elliott ends with the cross bouncing off the back of a City defender and out for a corner amid hopeful appeals for handball. The Nix again threaten from the second ball but Brooke Nunn’s shot is off target and after a bit more chaos City keeper Malena Mieres finally cleans up the mess.
ShareGOAL! Melbourne City 3-1 Wellington Phoenix (Woods ’52)
The Nix breathe some life back into the contest as City fail to clear a second ball off a corner. Emma Pijnenburg bangs it back into the danger zone where City keeper Malena Mieres can only knock the ball down in front of her. Makala Woods pounces to tap home and give her side a sniff.
51 mins: The Phoenix win a free kick in a dangerous area but an untidy cross allows the City defence to clear the danger for a corner.
ShareGOAL! Melbourne City 3-0 Wellington Phoenix (McKenna ‘49)
Melbourne City refuse to let Wellington Phoenix play out from the back as they yet again win the ball back in their own third. Leticia McKenna launches a rocket from outside the box to pick out the far top corner and tighten her side’s grip on the trophy.
Updated at 03.49 EDT
46 mins: The second half gets under way with Phoenix master coach Bev Priestman needing to find a way to inspire her side to a comeback against the premiers City.
Here is the classy finish from Holly McNamara that opened the scoring in the A-League Women grand final at AAMI Park.
ShareHalf-time: Melbourne City 2-0 Wellington Phoenix
The A-League Women premiers have one hand on the championship trophy after Holly McNamara scores a braces within sight of the break. City are yet to lose when taking the lead this season, leaving the Nix with a mountain to climb if they are to win their first trophy.
Holly McNamara scores a goal for Melbourne City against Wellington Phoenix during the A-League Women grand final. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAPShare
Updated at 03.11 EDT
49 mins: McNamara breaks again and threatens to put the Phoenix right on the ropes. But with the break only seconds away the City attacker lets off with a tired cross that fails to reach her teammates racing into the box.
47 mins: The Nix need Makala Woods to provide a spark and the American very nearly does just that. Woods beats a couple of City defenders but her shot fails to test keeper Mieres.
45 mins: The Nix show few signs of being rattled but you could excuse them if they were. Brooke Nunn tries her luck from long distance but merely hands a goal kick to City. Three minutes of stoppage time to come.
ShareGOAL! Melbourne City 2-0 Wellington Phoenix (McNamara ‘43)
Holly McNamara has two goals in as many minutes with a clinical finish in the far corner. Shelby McMahon wins the ball in the midfield then unleashes the City striker to carry the ball into the box and double the lead. The Matildas striker again looks a class above.
Updated at 03.14 EDT
GOAL! Melbourne City 1-0 Wellington Phoenix (McNamara ’42)
Holly McNamara opens the scoring for City and it’s a horror show for the Nix. The golden boot winner is given all the time and space she needs on the deep left corner of the penalty box to pick out her spot in the far side of the goal.
Holly McNamara and Bryleeh Henry celebrate as Melbourne City take the lead over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park. Photograph: Kelly Defina/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 03.12 EDT
40 mins: Aideen Keane beats off a Phoenix opponent in the midfield then sets off to pressure their defence. But Keane’s gut-busting run down the left ends with a shot straight at the keeper.
37 mins: Holly McNamara puts the ball in the back of the net with a glancing header off a cross from Bryleeh Henry. But the flag is raised almost immediately and the City right winger strayed offside in the buildup. A good call from the sideline. But the right side of City’s attack continues to trouble to Phoenix.
34 mins: The Nix almost nick one with a scramble in the box off a corner. Grace Jale gets a hasty shot away from in close but City’s Spanish keeper Malena Mieres stands tall.
31 mins: Leticia McKenna is denied by an extra coat of pain on the crossbar. The City veteran takes the free kick, loops the ball over the wall and beats the leaping keeper. That would have been an opener to remember.
29 mins: City are searching for a way through the Nix defence when Shelby McMahon’s fast feet encourage a loose challenge and earn a free kick in a dangerous spot.
Updated at 02.47 EDT
27 mins: City clear a corner and quickly counter with Holly McNamara finding space. The golden boot winner goes to ground – not for the first time today – and is not too pleased with the attention she has been receiving.
Holly McNamara shows her frustration. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 02.49 EDT
25 mins: The Phoenix enjoy their longest period in possession but are regularly breaking down in midfield. Brooke Nunn fails to control a simple pass with space in front of her as City defences take the moment to clear any danger.
23 mins: This is hugely entertaining as the ball bounces from end to end but neither team is creating much of note and we’re yet to see a shot on target.
21 mins: The Phoenix break with Brooke Nunn streaming through the middle. The English veteran picks out Makala Woods in space on the right but the American can’t get her foot around the shot as the ball is sliced wide.
19 mins: City have dominated for long periods with more than 70% possession and 120-50-ish passes. But the Nix defence has been solid so far with the shots sitting at 3-1 without any yet being on target.
17 mins: Malena Mieres is called into action for the first time this afternoon. The City keeper collects the high ball with ease but the Phoenix will appreciate a moment of respite.
15 mins: Leah Davidson opens up with a speculative shot from long range. The ball sails across the face and past the far post as the Nix continue to be exposed down the right side.
Leah Davidson strikes the ball. Photograph: Kelly Defina/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 02.50 EDT
13 mins: Melbourne City continue to attack with another corner. Leticia McKenna tries an outrageous overhead kick but the shot trickles wide of the post.
11 mins: Phoenix get a foot on the ball with some control through the midfield. But there is little attacking threat before City win it back and begin building more pressure.
9 mins: The hosts are camped in their own attacking half with the Nix defence hanging on grimly. Victoria Esson is in no hurry to take a goal kick to give her teammates a well-earned breather.
7 mins: City applying all the pressure as Leticia McKenna almost gets a shot away through traffic but for a critical boot from Emma Pijnenburg.
5 mins: City with a big shout for a penalty as Bryleeh Henry is set free by a sublime through ball and tries to round the keeper at the edge of the box. Phoenix keeper Victoria Esson comes steaming off her line and gets a subtle touch on the ball before Henry stumbles over her. VAR is called into action but the calls for a penalty are waved away. A huge moment but the tips of Esson’s gloves might have saved her there.
Bryleeh Henry tries to run around Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Victoria Esson. Photograph: Kelly Defina/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 02.52 EDT
3 mins: City knocked the ball around the back to give everyone an early touch but 17-year-old Pia Vlok ensures it isn’t without some discomfort.
1 min: Melbourne City quickly win the ball back from the kick-off and are the first to apply some pressure in their final third. Holly McNamara is knocked down and winded but the golden boot winner is soon back to her feet.
ShareKick-off
Peeeeeeep! Wellington Phoenix have first rights as the A-League Women grand final gets under way at AAMI Park.
The Phoenix have never beaten City – or even split the points – in eight previous meetings in the A-League Women. But this would be some stage to turn the tables.
The players from both sides are lined up in the middle of the pitch with the national anthems about to ring out and only a few minutes until kick-off at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix players walk on to the pitch for the A-League Women grand final. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 02.17 EDT
Wellington coach Bev Priestman has made an immediate impact in her first season with the A-League Women team. But she insists the grand final is about much more than just restoring her own reputation. Priestman served a one-year suspension over the Paris Olympics spying scandal while head coach of Canada women’s team, but is now one win away from leading the Phoenix to a first championship in her own return to the game.
The Phoenix coach, who led Canada to gold at Tokyo 2020, spoke with Joey Lynch about the aftermath of the Olympic spying scandal and turning around a side that had been a welcome addition to the ALW even while initially playing the part of lovable losers.
double quotation markWhat happened in Paris, and off the back of that, and the media runaway stories that you know necessarily aren’t accurate. You just become very isolated, very, very quickly, in a job where it is about being part of a team. That isolation hits you really hard, as well as things playing out in the public domain. The biggest joy I’ve had this year is just again, getting back on the pitch, working with people who want to be better. I’ve loved that.
ShareWellington Phoenix XI
Victoria Esson (GK); Ellie Walker, Mackenzie Barry (C), Marisa van der Meer; Brooke Nunn, Emma Pijnenburg, Grace Jale, Manaia Elliott; Lucía León; Pia Vlok, Makala Woods.
Phoenix are set to play in 3-4-1-2 with Lucía León behind the forwards, though no doubt that will spill into more of a 3-4-3 at times.
American striker Makala Woods is in red-hot form with seven goals in 14 matches since joining the Phoenix in January, while 17-year-old Pia Vlok comes into the starting lineup after cementing herself as a star of the future for the Football Ferns.
ShareMelbourne City XI
Malena Mieres (GK); Taylor Otto, Rebekah Stott (C), Danielle Turner; Bryleeh Henry, Leah Davidson, Leticia McKenna, Karly Roestbakken; Aideen Keane, Holly McNamara, Shelby McMahon.
City name a familiar starting XI that is most likely to settle into a 3-4-3 formation. Golden boot winner Holly McNamara is, as always, the danger woman for City. Though Shelby McMahon is quickly making a name for herself when it comes to scoring clutch goals.
Exciting winger Danella Butrus is back in the squad after missing the semi-final while the 20-year-old recovered from a concussion sustained on international duty with the Young Matildas last month. Nigerian international Chinaza Uchendu remains suspended for one more, critical game.
Updated at 01.34 EDT
Grand finalists dominate PFA’s A-League Women team of the season
Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix make up more than half of the 18 players selected in the PFA’s A-League Women team of the season.
City defender Rebekah Stott received the most votes from her peers picking the side and was named captain. Golden boot winner Holly McNamara was also voted into the starting lineup alongside teammate Leticia McKenna. Forward Aideen Keane earned a place on the bench.
While the premiers provided four players to the team of the season, runners-up and grand final rivals the Phoenix had six players picked. Centre-back Mackenzie Barry, midfielders Pia Vlok and Grace Jale, and attacker Brooke Nunn were named in the starting lineup. Goalkeeper Victoria Esson and defender Marisa van der Meer were named on the bench.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman was voted by the players as the best manager of the competition in her inaugural season at the helm of the New Zealand outfit.
Perth Glory’s Teresa Morrissey was the players’ pick for goalkeeper, Brisbane Roar provided Aimee Medwin and Daisy Brown, Adelaide United defender Ella Tonkin, Central Coast Mariners Isabel Gomez and Annalise Rasmussen, and Melbourne Victory Claudia Bunge and Rhianna Pollicina.
A-League Women golden boot winner Holly McNamara has been voted into the starting XI for the PFA’s team of the season. Photograph: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesShareALW grand final preview
Melbourne City have a third consecutive A-League Women premiers’ plate in the bag but have had little time to celebrate with two huge steps still to come in their quest for a historic treble.
Even if they beat Wellington Phoenix in the final today, City will have to keep a lid on any party. Win or lose, they are due to fly out at 7.25am tomorrow morning to travel to South Korea for the Asian Champions League semi-finals, and a clash with Japanese club Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
As Jack Snape reports, the players are prepared for an unusual climax to a season. “We’ll have a little function after [the grand final] with our family and friends, and then the club’s booked us a hotel at the airport, so we’ll get a good night’s rest and then straight over to Korea,” City captain Rebekah Stott says.
SharePreamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the A-League Women grand final between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park. City are on the march toward history with a third consecutive premiers’ plate already secured and a domestic double up for grabs as they host the league decider. A win would also secure them a record-equalling fifth women’s championship but, despite their recent success in the league, their first title since 2020. While their focus will no doubt be on the 90 minutes – and possibly more – at AAMI Park, once the final whistle blows a hint of attention must turn to their midweek Asian Champions League semi-final in South Korea.
City booked their spot in the final with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Victory when 17-year-old Young Matildas midfielder Shelby McMahon lashed in a fierce shot from outside the penalty box in the second leg of their semi-final. Matildas midfielder Leticia McKenna had given City the early advantage when scoring from a free kick in the first leg, as the premiers eased through 2-0 on aggregate.
While much of the spotlight is on City’s hopes for a domestic double – and possibly a treble – Wellington Phoenix are just one win away from their own breakthrough to a first A-League Women crown. Wellington entered the ALW in 2021 and made little impact on the competition as they missed the finals in the past four seasons. Their fortunes turned, however, with the arrival of former Canada coach Bev Priestman in the off-season, as they finished runners-up behind City in the league and are now just one win away from a trophy.
The Phoenix defeated Brisbane Roar 2-0 after extra time in the second leg of their semi-final to claim their spot in the decider. American striker Makala Woods grabbed a first half goal and added a second in the first period of extra time to help Wellington overcome a first-leg deficit and down the Roar 3-2 on aggregate. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals in 14 games since arriving in the ALW in January and looms as a huge threat in the final as the Nix turn to her pace and polish on the counter.
City edged their home match between the sides 1-0 in December, then claimed the return meeting in New Zealand the following month 2-1. The Phoenix finished six points behind the eventual premiers but scored more goals than any other team in the league, and conceded the fewest, so fair to say the final is far from a formality for City.
Kick-off in Melbourne is 4.15pm local / 6.15pm NZST. I’ll be back shortly with the lineups and team news. But now is the time to hit me up with questions, thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email, or find me on X @martinpegan and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
Wellington Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry and Melbourne City skipper Rebekah Stott pose with the A-League Women championship trophy at AAMI Park. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAPShare