Recap: Melbourne City beat Wellington Phoenix in A-League Women grand final
Saturday, 16 May 2026
- Melbourne City beat Wellington Phoenix 3-1 in A-League Women grand final after a first-half brace from Holly McNamara.
What to expect
The Phoenix won’t fear Melbourne City even though they have lost all eight previous games against them and enter the grand final as underdogs.
Opposition coach Michael Matricciani admitted the Phoenix were “the better team” when Rebekah Stott snatched a 1-0 round-six win, scoring with City’s only shot on target from an 86th-minute free-kick, with the Phoenix missing experienced goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
The Phoenix won’t have a huge home crowd behind them this weekend, but City rarely get strong support which means they won’t be walking into a cauldron either, and the early trip to Melbourne has given Wellington the best possible preparation.
Having finished first and second on the table, the sides appear evenly matched. Both boast prolific strikers, dangerous wide threats, a rising star in midfield and experienced defenders anchor their back lines.
Motivation will be high on both sides. The Phoenix have enjoyed a record-breaking season under Bev Priestman and are determined to cap it with the club’s first piece of silverware. City, meanwhile, remain one of the competition’s benchmark clubs but, despite topping the table in each of the past three seasons, have not won a grand final since 2020. Their unbeaten regular season last year ended in semifinal heartbreak against Central Coast Mariners after a controversial offside call.
To avoid a similar howler, VAR will be used for the only time this season during Saturday’s grand final.
Squads
Phoenix: Victoria Esson, Tiana Jaber, Mackenzie Barry, Ellie Walker, Grace Jale, Macey Fraser, Manaia Elliott, Lucía León, Daisy Brazendale, Marisa Van Der Meer, Lara Wall, Aimee Danieli, Brooke Nunn, Pia Vlok, Zoe Benson, Mikaela Bangalan, Mackenzie Anthony, Makala Woods, Emma Pijnenburg.
City: Ellie Wilson, Danielle Turner, Taylor Otto, Leticia McKenna, Danella Butrus, Alexia Apostolakis, Holly McNamara, Deven Jackson, Shelby McMahon, Rebekah Stott, Laura Hughes, Karly Roestbakken, Leah Davidson, Caitlin Karic, Aideen Keane, Bryleeh Henry, Melissa Barbieri, Malena Mieres, Ayana Aoyagi.
Form
The Phoenix are coming off a huge high after beating Brisbane Roar 2-0 in extra time at a packed out Porirua Park last weekend to overturn a 2-1 deficit and win through to their first-ever A-League Women grand final. American striker Makala Woods scored both goals. Top qualifiers Melbourne City won both legs of their semifinal against rivals Melbourne Victory 1-0.
TAB odds
City $1.52, Phoenix $2.50.
What they said
Phoenix coach Bev Priestman: “It’s the 100th game, first grand final and [potentially a] first Melbourne [win], there’s not much more that you’d want there. We want to be pioneers. We have been to this point and when you put a challenge that high, people find another level in themselves. It’s there if we want it. We’ve got to show up, be united in everything we do, believe in ourselves and give it a crack. Finals football, anything can happen; a bad decision, penalties, all these things happen but at the end of the day we’ll give it our best crack.”
City coach Michael Matricciani: “When I first stepped foot into this club, we had high expectations that were made very clear to be by management and the playing group. We want to win every match that there is to be won. Last year we played for three trophies and got one. We’ve won one already [this season] and we’ve got two more to go.”
Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry: “This is a huge occasion for us and of course for New Zealand as well. It’s our first grand final and it’s our 100th game as the Phoenix women’s team. It’s a massive day for us and we’ve just been trying to enjoy every moment.”
City captain Rebekah Stott: “They’ve been unbelievable. The first game against them, we probably didn’t deserve to win that but it’s been really cool to watch them week in and week out with the football they’re playing. As a Kiwi, it’s great for women’s football in New Zealand.”
Players to watch
Brooke Nunn (Phoenix): The Phoenix winger is chasing back-to-back A-League Women titles after winning last year’s grand final with the Central Coast Mariners. A devastating one-on-one dribbler and fierce competitor, Nunn has been central to the Phoenix’s success, scoring six goals and providing six assists during the regular season before creating Makala Woods’ extra-time winner with a cross from deep in last weekend’s semifinal.
Holly McNamara (City): “Holly Mac”, as she is affectionately known, has set the A-League Women standard in recent years, returning from a third ACL injury to claim back-to-back golden boots. For the Phoenix to win the grand final, they must limit the service to the 19-cap Matildas forward in what could be a possible A-League swansong before heading overseas.
History
The Phoenix have played Melbourne City eight times and have lost all eight games, though the last two meetings in Melbourne have been close. Last season the Phoenix led 1-0 after an hour but conceded two goals in the space of three second-half minutes to lose 2-1, while City scored with their only shot on target in the 86th minute to snatch a dramatic 1-0 victory in round six of this season.