Melbourne City win A-League Women’s 2025 premiership as incredible unbeaten streak continues
Melbourne City’s back-to-back A-League Women’s titles took on extra significance for one player in particular given her journey back to the game.
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Back to back premierships, undefeated all season – Melbourne City’s players have a lot to be proud of but it means something extra special to Holly McNamara who was forced to watch last year’s success from the sidelines.
City clinched the title with a 5-1 win over Perth Glory on Friday night – their 23rd consecutive win in the A-League’s Women’s.
McNamara ruptured her ACL in November 2023 – just weeks into the last season, for the third time.
It meant she had to watch from the bench as City lifted the Premiership Plate and then fell short in the grand final to Sydney FC.
The dynamic attacker made her return in December and has been a key part of City’s success scoring 15 goals this season. An average of a goal every 57 minutes.
“Watching on the sidelines was hard it was a lot nicer to be on the pitch this time. It felt more real thank last time,” McNamara said.
“To go this whole season undefeated has been unreal and to get the premiership has been great, we’ve got a really good group here and we really want to go all the way.”
McNamara said losing last year’s final to Sydney FC had been the team’s motivator all season.
“The feeling of losing the grand final was really tough and we don’t want to feel that again,” she said.
McNamara finished top of the golden boot race – ahead of Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik.
But it wasn’t something she had set out to achieve, especially on the back of her injury.
“Coming back from my injury I didn’t put a goal on anything,” McNamara said.
“Scoring goals is nice but I get a lot of good service in this team, so it’s my job to do.”
Coach Michael Matricciani said he was very happy for McNamara given how much effort she has put into the season and getting back on the pitch.
“Her mentality from day one, the way she did the little exercises and details was phenomenal, she is a winner and we’ve seen it on the pitch,” he said post match.
“She is a top player, she always wants to improve, she has a huge future in front of her and we are very happy to have her here at the moment.”
Matricciani who only took the reigns at the club this season, wants to ensure the team go all the way this time. He said the focus had never been on going undefeated.
“I’ve got so many feelings going through my body at the moment,” he said.
“I’m just super proud, from day one the club has welcomed me it’s been a pleasure coaching them so far, one trophy down, one to go and to go undefeated, I could have never imagined that.”
“We’ve never really thought about it, never talked about it once, the media talked about around when we were breaking the record with 19 games undefeated but as a manager and a staff we were never thinking about it.”
“We are always focusing on what’s next and how we can get better, even the lead up to this game it was about how can we get better,” he said.
City dominated Glory from the start, scoring two goals within the opening six minutes off Taylor Otto and Bryleeh Henry.
Otto got a second in the 26th minute.
McNamara added to her impressive season goal tally with a fourth – sending the away side into the break up 4-1.
Her goal was her 15th of the season and has her three clear of Emily Gielnik in the golden boot race.
City’s Leticia McKenna sealed the win with the side’s fifth goal in the 68th minute.
While City will get a week off with the top two teams earning automatic spots in the semi-final Matricciani said there would be little rest with the team planning an internal game next week.
A-Leagues Executive Chair Stephen Conroy congratulated City on their record breaking season.
“They’ve had an incredible ‘invincible’ season – going 23 games undefeated – and playing some fantastic and entertaining football,” he said.
“Credit must also go to Melbourne Victory for pushing City all the way to the final round. We look forward to both sides, along with Adelaide, Western United, Central Coast and Canberra, lighting up the Ninja A-League 2025 Finals Series which kicks off next weekend.”
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