Melbourne City Champion and Matildas star Holly McNamara paid tribute to the late Rado Vidosic following her starring role in the 2025-26 Ninja A-League Grand Final.
Having already captured another Golden Boot during the regular season McNamara’s goalscoring prowess was once again on display during the Grand Final, bagging two quick-fire goals to help City defeat Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at AAMI Park.
The result means Michael Matricciani’s side have now sealed an incredible Premiership/Championship double having previously fallen short in their quest to do so in the last two seasons.
MATCH REPORT: Melbourne City complete Ninja A-League Premiership/Championship double
“Pretty good, I think,” laughed McNamara when asked how she felt after the full time whistle sounded.
“It was a crazy game. I think we were on top in the first half and they were in the second half, so yeah, to kind of come away with a result, we’re all ecstatic.”
For Head Coach Matricciani the result carries extra weight given his side almost won a plethora of trophies last season, only to fall agonisingly short.
Having chalked up a remarkable unbeaten season to clinch the Premiers Plate, City then succumbed to defeats in both the Semi-Finals of the Ninja A-League as well as in the final of the AFC Women’s Champions League.
“We’re very proud, we’ve put in a lot of work the last couple of seasons, and to get the reward of both the domestic trophies. Yeah, super proud moment.
He added: “Look, we can put all the structures and tactical plans in place, but we have a player like Holly (McNamara) and Leticia (McKenna) score the two goals that they did tonight, that’s the difference.
“So you know we can think that we make a big difference as coaches sometimes, but the reality is the players are the ones playing and they’re the ones winning us the games.
“Very lucky to have these players, along with the whole squad, work extremely hard all game, and yeah, super proud.”
A three-time Premiership winner as well as a Championship runner-up, McNamara has achieved a lot in her five year stint with Melbourne City, particularly when factoring in her painful record when it comes to knee injuries.
Steph Catley (R) and Rado Vidosic (L) with Championship trophy
But now the Matildas star can finally call herself a Ninja A-League Champion and she was quick to pay tribute to former coach Vidosic after the game, who passed away earlier this year following a battle with cancer.
“I think looking back, it’s what, my fifth year here now, and a lot of the girls were in the same boat when Rado kind of brought us in,” McNamara said.
“He nurtured us a lot. I think reflecting a bit on that today Bubs (Goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri) and I had a little conversation about that.
“Rado and kind of everything that he did for us, that was kind of for him today.
“He helped us a lot, so I think that that’s where the kind of winning mentality came from. Dario smashed us with that too, and now Michael instilling that as well. So I think just over the years, City have brought in the best coaches for us girls to kind of flourish and make it to that next level.”
