Melbourne City face a unique challenge on Saturday as they host Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women grand final at AAMI Park, with a treble on the line and an immediate flight to South Korea for the Asian Champions League semi-finals the next morning.
City captain Rebekah Stott confirmed the team will celebrate briefly after the match, regardless of the result, before heading to a hotel near the airport for an early departure to face Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Coach Michael Matricciani said any celebrations must be restrained, with the focus quickly shifting to the Asian campaign.
City enter as favourites after winning the premiers plate for the third consecutive season, finishing six points ahead of second-placed Wellington. The sides met twice this season, with City winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 away. The Phoenix, however, scored the most goals in the league and conceded the fewest, led by defender Mackenzie Barry and a strong midfield core.
Wellington coach Bev Priestman, a former Olympic gold medalist with Canada, has revitalised the club after a year-long FIFA ban for a spying scandal. She described the season as a chance to prove herself, while Stott, who reported the drone incident during the Paris Games, expressed happiness at Priestman's return to football.
The grand final marks Wellington's first appearance in the decider, in their 100th match as a club. Barry praised Priestman as the best coach she has ever worked with, while Matricciani acknowledged her as the most experienced in the competition.
