Jessika Nash summed it up pretty perfectly, speaking to media ahead of Friday’s huge Ninja A-League clash against Melbourne Victory.
“These are the games that footballers live for.” Nash said. The 20-year-old is clearly relishing a battle against her former club, with the Mariners able to lock-in a finals spot with a game to spare and in front of home support on Friday evening.
Melbourne Victory present a tough challenge again, this the third meeting between the two teams this season after a 1-1 draw at Unite Round and a 2-0 scoreline in Victory’s favour in February.
Jeff Hopkins’ team are the form team in the division as they come into this game on an 11-match unbeaten run, whilst they have won their last six.
That run has kept them in the race for the Premiers Plate as they continue to threaten their unbeaten rivals Melbourne City’s hopes of back-to-back titles. With a two-point difference to make up, they will aiming for nothing less than a perfect return from the final two matches.
The Mariners need just a point from two games to lock-in finals, but have higher hopes than that as they are looking to jump up to fourth in the Ninja A-League, which would give us a home Elimination Final.
Ready to fight for Victory and a place in the finals! 🙌
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 8, 2025
🎟: https://t.co/Pv3j61ILaF#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/hyRHXWkdDg
📰 Team News
Huge team news from the Mariners camp sees Taren King named in an 18-player squad for the first time since an ACL injury which ruled her out for over 450 days.
After over 450 days, it's almost time.
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 10, 2025
🎟: https://t.co/Pv3j61Idl7#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/aYsrvq5qRj
🌟 Players to Watch
Stealing the headlines this week, understandably, has been Mariners star Isabel Gomez who earned the PFA Player of the Month award for March thanks to her incredible form of late.
‘Incredible’ Izzy Gomez sweeps PFA March Player Of The Month
For Victory, Husband highlighted Victory’s strength throughout the core of their team; solid centre-back pairing Kayla Morrison and Claudia Bunge, creative midfielder Alex Chidiac and prolific striker Emily Gielnik.
🗣 Jess Nash
Hear more from Jess as she gears up to face her former club.
🗣 Emily Husband
Our Head Coach also spoke to the media on Friday.
