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. 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.

Emily Husband: “

“We’re really excited for it and I think the girls are well prepared. We played Sydney FC four times last year so they are a familiar opponent.” Emily said, in her official pre-match press conference on Friday.

We’ve kept a good core of the team and added real quality. We are looking more complete.

Emily was asked if there is any added ‘spice’ or ‘unfinished business’ after the off-season transfers between the two clubs and last season’s semi-final.

“Both teams are different and Sydney FC are just another opponent. I don’t think [they’re our biggest rivals]. If anything Newcastle Jets, the F3 Derby, are our out-and-out rivals. To us, Sydney FC are just another team of eleven players who we have got to beat on the weekend. We’ll approach the game as we will any other game.”

“We want to continue to climb the ladder and improve on last season’s finish, that’s our main aim. If we continue to stick to the process, we will definitely rival and build on what we achieved last season.

“We’ve got a good few games coming up against highly ranked opponents but our season won’t be made on the first four games. There isn’t a whole lot of pressure on the first game, it’s about us playing well. The results will come if we do that.” Husband said.

On her own development and ambitions as a coach, Husband said:

“I just want to strive to be the best person and coach I can be for my players. There are things I have learned from last season, I love my environment and I just want to continue to improve.”

Emily also spoke about the growth of the A-League and much more, you can watch her full press conference via aleagues.com.au.

Taylor Ray: “I have a new family here”

Our new number 10 is in line to make her Mariners debut against her former club and she is excited for Round One and the season ahead.

“I’m so stoked to be in a new environment where I can learn from Em and different players from different countries.” Ray said.

“Having a semi-final rematch for the first round, I think it’s going to bring a big atmosphere. I have a new family here and I’m really excited for the game.”

“As a team, making the semi-finals again should be a minimum but we want the Championship and Premiers plate, we are all competitive individuals so that is our main goal.” Ray said.

Taylor is keen to meet the fans at Our Paradise for the first time, and is keen to continue inspiring young boys and girls on the Central Coast.

“I had the privilege to go to one of the Mighty Mariners Holiday Clinics and there were so many boys and girls there, it was great.” Ray said.

“For us women to go out there to inspire the younger females, we want to show them that they can do this as a profession. Having fans at the game is so important, we want to promote that.

“It’s great to have players like Raz and Leia that have grown up here, it shows kids from their local area that they can do it as well.”

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