‘Proving people wrong’: how Central Coast Mariners reached A-League Women grand final

theguardian.comPublished: 5/15/2025

Summary

The Central Coast Mariners achieved a remarkable feat by securing a historic first-place finish in the A-League Women grand final after a decade of absence. Captain Emily Husband earned her Grand Final coaching spot, guiding her team through thrilling victories despite facing fierce competition from stronger sides like Sydney FC and Melbourne City. Their second-leg win was nearly overshadowed by a controversial VAR decision. Now, they face a formidable challenge against Victory, who command top-tier resources but also claim a strong position in the league rankings.