A-Leauge Women finals: Emma Checker hoping Mariners game won’t be her last

Former Matilda Emma Checker is seeking to prolong her career by at least another week when her side Melbourne Victory come up against the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

It is an elimination final – it is do or die – but for Melbourne Victory’s Emma Checker it is a last chance to ensure she ends her 13-year career on a high.

Checker, 28, announced just a few weeks ago that this season would be her last as a professional footballer.

She made her debut as a 15-year-old in the A-League's – playing at Canberra United, Adelaide United, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and overseas for clubs in Korea, France, Iceland and Sweden.

Checker has even pulled on a Matildas jersey eight times – making her debut as a 16-year-old in 2012.

Her experience tells her that Sunday’s elimination final with Central Coast Mariners could be her last match – but her heart hopes Victory can continue their streak and progress to the semi-final and even the grand final.

“It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Checker said.

Professional football is all she has known. Picture: Getty Images

“Playing football at this level is all I’ve ever known.

“I signed my first elite contract when I was 15 – from then on football has been the one thing I’ve always prioritised and focused on.

“Football has always been No. 1 and the goals that I’ve had in the space is what has always driven me. But I feel like the last six to 12 months a lot in my life has changed and with that came a change in priorities.

Emma Checker playing with Adelaide United against her current club in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

“I still have moments where I think was this really the right decision but deep down I know it is the right one and I’m looking forward to the changes that will come in life from this.

“But I can guarantee you one thing I’m wanting is to finish on one last trophy.

“I want it regardless but if that was the way I go out then I can look back on it with pretty fond memories.”

Standing in Checker (and Victory’s way) is Central Coast Mariners.

Victory only just managed to claw into the top six with their final round 4-0 over reigning champions Sydney FC.

Sam Kerr of Perth Glory and Checker facing each other in an A-League clash. Picture: AAP Image

“We had a really positive end to the season with our last result against Sydney FC but at the same time we are not overconfident,” Checker said.

“We respect our opponent and they’ve got a lot of qualities coming into this game as well.

“For us it is about focusing on ourselves and believing that what we have is enough to get the job done. We know that when we are at our best we are hard to beat.”

Checker said the must win final round game against Sydney FC had given the less experienced players on the team a taste of what an elimination final can feel like.

“For us the Sydney game was finals week and it was a great opportunity to expose the group to the pressure of finals because there really was that pressure and I think if anything it was a real positive for us.”

Melbourne Victory will play Central Coast Mariners on Sunday at 4pm.