The 2025-26 Ninja A-League season is down to the final four teams and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of week 2 of the Finals Series.
Read on below to catch up on everything you need to know ahead of this weekend’s Semi-Finals clashes.
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
Saturday, May 2 – AAMI Park– 5:00pm AEST
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City aiming to right the wrongs of last season and make it through to the Grand Final.
After semi-final defeat to Central Coast last season, premiers Melbourne City are aiming to go one better this season.
If there’s one team that would love to stop that happening, it’s Melbourne Victory.
Victory earned their spot in the semi-finals with a crushing 3-1 win over Canberra United last Saturday.
City captain Rebekah Stott is under no illusions that lifting the Premier’s Plate means their job is already done.
“We’ve done what we needed to do throughout the season to win the Premiership, and I think now we’re heading into finals, which is a completely different ball game.
“It’s do what you need to do to win that game. So that’s our goal. Is to obviously win.
She continued: “I think especially last season, we had a lot of pressure on us. But this season as well, to get that Premiership, we had a lot of pressure out of the Champions League games.
“You learn to deal with that pressure, and I think that kind of experience we can take into the final games, and, yeah, use to our advantage.”
City have now won the Premiers Plate for an incredible three season running, one of which saw them go the entire league campaign undefeated.
Rebekah Stott of Melbourne City in training
However, those Premiership wins have translated into Championship success – and that’s something Stott feels has to change this year, particularly given what City as a club strives for.
“We have everything here at City. I don’t think it’s just the football where those things come to play. I think it’s everything. It’s the gym sessions, it’s the meeting, the setup, everything we have here is is top standard and and you know what you’re supposed to be doing.
“So I think it’s, yeah, it’s expected for us to do well and win things as well. So I think that added pressure and responsibility, it means a lot here at City.”
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Melbourne Victory will come into this match with the underdog tag they revelled in against Canberra United.
Manager Jeff Hopkins was pleased with not only their performance against Canberra, but their preparation in the weeks leading up to it.
Victory Head Coach Jeff Hopkins
“There was an atmosphere in our changing room that we hadn’t had all season and they actually took that out onto the park. We weren’t going to get beaten today, that’s for sure,” said Hopkins in the aftermath of the win at McKellar Park.
“Instead of being nervous or looking forward to the game with apprehension, we want to go out and enjoy it.
“You could tell by the way the girls played today, they weren’t scared to get on the ball, they wanted the ball and that’s how we work on the mentality of them.
“So by being super prepared, that gives them confidence in themselves and in the team that if our mentality is right and our game plan is right as well, they buy in to everything we ask them to do.”
Melbourne City came from behind to win 2-1 when these sides met before Christmas, and then they played out a 0-0 draw when they last met in February.
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Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, May 3 – Spencer Park – 5:00pm AEST
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Phoenix boss gear up for their first ever Ninja A-League finals match
Wellington didn’t qualify for their first ever finals series quietly, they finished in second and earned themselves a direct entry into the semi-finals.
A perk of qualifying directly for the semis means Wellington and their Head Coach Bev Priestman have had plenty of time to rest ahead of the semi-final first leg.
The negative effect of having that amount of time off though is the players won’t have played a competitive game of football since April 3.
Wellington Head Coach Bev Priestman
“To be honest, it was torture hanging around,” said Phoenix boss Priestman when speaking at a midweek press conference.
“But I feel like the minute that we knew who we had, I think everything’s flipped now.
“I think a big part of pressure and a big moment is preparedness, and I think what we do very well is prepare as a group, and we’ve done a lot of work on penalties and closing a game, chasing a game, you know, all those sorts of things.
“But now it’s just (focusing) on the team in front of us and tidying up some things.
“We played a game at the weekend. It was very clunky, I think, given some of the players hadn’t played for three weeks because of injuries and things.
Grace Jale of the Wellington Phoenix
“But at the end of the day, that was really good for us. It was actually a really beneficial game, and it’s dialled the team in a lot now going into this next week, which is great.”
That 2-2 draw with Auckland United aside, the Phoenix squad have had two reasons to celebrate this week. Firstly, the club announced key midfielder Grace Jale has signed on for another Ninja A-League season.
Secondly, Wednesday marked Priestman’s 40th birthday and it was an event the whole team got around.
“Yeah we had a bit of a celebration this morning, which I was at the heart of, obviously!” laughed Priestman.
Wellington Phoenix players celebrate in training
“But, yeah it’s been awesome, I think that and then the (club) awards last night I think, so far, it’s been a great week, and hopefully we can end the week and my birthday present is just get the three points move on.”
From the outside the impact the English coach has had on the Phoenix this season has been there for all to see, after guiding them to the finals for the first time in their history.
“She’s the best, she brings so much character, so much personality,” said Wellington joint top-scorer Brooke Nunn.
“She’s so intelligent, and I feel like she works really well with bringing out the best in people.
“She’s a great coach and a great person. So I think she’s brought so much to the Phoenix, and I think the results speak for themselves.
“We’ve got great players, and you can see all the potential throughout the camp, and you can see everybody has that winning mentality, which has been fabulous to be a part of.
“So I just think here we were so fortunate to get to second place and have to go straight to the semis.
“I think we’re ready to take on anyone. You know, we don’t mind who we have, we’re all together. We’re all really excited how far we’ve come, and we’re ready to keep it moving and hopefully win the finals.”
Roar Head Coach Alex Smith celebrates with his side
Brisbane had a bit more of a struggle at times throughout the season, but they’ve hit form at the right time and promptly dismantled Adelaide 3-0 in the elimination final.
“I think we’re at our best when we’re on the front foot and we’re pressing,” said Head Coach Alex Smith after the win over the Reds.
“We’re a very tough opposition when we’re on the front foot. It’s something we learned towards the end of the season, which I think has contributed to the run of form we’re in at the moment.
“They’re (Wellington) a good team, they’ve put a lot of time and money into their women’s programme this year, so it’ll be a challenge for us but based on tonight I don’t think we fear anyone.
Kijah Stephenson of the Roar celebrates with team mates after scoring
“It’s a challenge we’ll relish. Nothing’s been put in front of us this year that we haven’t been able to handle, and the home and away semi will be no different. We’ll go into next weekend full of confidence.”
Brisbane haven’t beaten Wellington in two meetings this year; first a stoppage time goal from Nunn saw their January clash end in a 2-2 draw, then their March match ended with a 3-0 win to the Phoenix.
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