Match Preview: New-look Mariners kick-off against the Champions

The eagerly anticipated 2024/25 Ninja A-League season is finally here, as Emily Husband’s side kick-off the season with an exciting home clash against Sydney FC.

The Mariners enjoyed an extremely successful return to the competition last season, finishing the season fifth on the ladder before advancing to the semi-finals where we narrowly lost to Sydney over two legs.

Ante Juric’s team went on to win the final with a 1-0 victory over Melbourne City, retaining their title and lifting the Championship for the third time in six seasons.

Consequently, the Sky Blues come into the 24/25 season heavily fancied for top spot again, despite losing key players Jada Whyman, Charlotte McClean and Cortnee Vine.

Husband’s new-look squad:

Juric can still count on Grand Final Player of the Match and Australia international Mackenzie Hawkesby, who scored all three of Sydney’s goals against the Mariners last season.

English forward Millie Farrow is Sydney’s marquee signing of the new season, arriving from Perth Glory – she will look to better her 23/24 season tally of seven goals.

For the Mariners, Husband has an exciting new-look squad to work with after a busy summer of ins and outs.

Increased firepower and creativity up front comes with the additions of versatile, former WSL forwards Jade Pennock and Brooke Nunn. Husband also has exciting youngsters Peta Trimis and Annalise Rasmussen as well as Shadeene Evans in her attacking options.

An already outstanding midfield including Young Matilda Izzy Gomez and 23/24 Mariners Medalist Bianca Galic, has been further bolstered by the arrival of the talented Taylor Ray, who is in line to make her Mariners debut against her former club on Saturday. Tess Quilligan has also resigned, providing solid depth in midfield.

At the back, another exciting young Australian forms the core of our team as Young Matildas captain Jessika Nash arrives from Melbourne Victory, she will partner Ash Irwin at the back, with Taren King still sidelined with a lengthy injury suffered last season.

In the full-back positions, American right-back Brianne Riley and Coastie local Leia Puxty reinforce Husband’s defensive options, with Annabel Martin, entering her second year at the club, able to operate on either side

Sarah Langman looks set to start the season as number one, with new signing Teresa Morrisey and Chloe Carmichael providing solid competition between the sticks.

Rounding off our arrivals so far are highly-rated youngsters Lily McMahon and Tiana Fuller who have signed scholarship contracts with the club.

Close contests last season

The two could barely be separated in the 23/24 season, in four meetings across the regular season and finals, each team won once, with two draws.

A 0-0 draw in early January was followed by an extraordinary win for the Mariners at Leichhardt Oval just ten days later.

The Mariners led before having Langman sent off, Irwin filled in between the sticks and it looked like Hawkesby had broken Mariners hearts with a 92nd minute equaliser before the 10-player Mariners won it in the most dramatic fashion, Wurigumula netting a 99th minute winner.

The two met again in finals, Hawkesby scored in a 1-0 for Sydney at Our Paradise in the first leg before scoring again in the second leg. The Mariners piled on the pressure and got one back before half time but couldn’t find an equaliser in the second half as our return season came to an end at the semi-final stage.

Pre-season form

Husband’s side enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season; a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets, a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix and finally a 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers, whilst an eye-catching result from Sydney’s pre-season saw them beaten 5-0 by the Jets.

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