Central Coast Mariners win A-League women grand final after 13 years in the wilderness
With Sam Kerr watching on in the stands, the Central Coast Mariners completed their fairytale comeback to the A-League women competition, winning the 2024/25 grand final in a penalty shootout against the Melbourne Victory.
It marks an incredible rise for the club after it pulled out of competition in 2010 over lack of funding. In 2023 the hiatus ended with a fifth placed finish.
Now champion status has arrived for the club.
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Sam Kerr watches the A-League women grand final. Getty
"One of the most extraordinary stories in the history of the game in this country. A team born out of recess, revived and now thriving all the very way to the pinnacle," caller Teo Pellizzeri said on Paramount+.
After the penalty shootout ended, Mariners coach Emily Husband was captured in tears on the sideline as she congratulated players and offered condolences to the opposition.
"The fairytale is now complete, what a moment for Emily Husband, tears of happiness," Grace Gill said.
Central Coast celebrate winning the grand final. Getty
22-year-old Isabel Gomez was first to score moments into the second half. Multiple errors at the back from the Victory put Gomez through from close range.
In the 80th minute, Melbourne's Claudia Bunge then scored the equaliser with a header from a corner.
Claudia Bunge celebrates her goal for the Victory. Getty
No side could find the winner in the rest of regular time and extra time as the match headed to penalties.
It was a disastrous start for the Victory, with Alana Jancevski's penalty hitting the post.
Every penalty was slotted from there and it was Bianca Galic slotting the winner.
Bianca Galic celebrates her winner. Getty
