Central Coast Mariners were forced to settle for a dramatic 3-3 draw with Melbourne Victory in the Ninja A-League on Saturday 27 December at ‘Our Paradise’ Polytec Stadium, in a thrilling first rematch of the 2024/25 Grand Final.
The contest began evenly, with both sides applying early pressure. Victory sent a couple of efforts over the bar, while Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez went close inside the opening 20 minutes. The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion in the 31st minute when Peta Trimis unleashed a stunning strike from nearly 40 yards, finding the top left corner in a goal of the season contender to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead at the break.
The hosts burst out of the blocks in the second half. Annalise Rasmussen doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute, sliding the ball past the keeper after a slick attacking move, before adding her second just eight minutes later, finishing off a beautiful cross from Annabel Martin to make it 3-0.
A pivotal moment arrived in the 77th minute when Melbourne’s Claudia Bunge was fortunate to avoid a red card after appearing to deny Isabella Coco-Di Sipio a clear goal scoring opportunity. From there, the momentum shifted dramatically.
Deep into stoppage time, Victory mounted a remarkable comeback. Rhianna Pollicina pulled one back in the 91st minute following a scramble in the Mariners’ box, before Sofia Sakalis struck just two minutes later. The equaliser came in the 94th minute, with Ella O’Grady finding the net to complete an astonishing late turnaround.
Post-match, Rasmussen summed up the chaos, saying: ‘I don’t know what just happened, I guess it’s good to get that one point though.’
The Mariners now turn their attention to a New Year’s Eve double header against Brisbane Roar at ‘Our Paradise’ Polytec Stadium on Wednesday 31 December, kicking off at 4:15pm