Melbourne Victory Women’s prevailed as 4-1 winners over Melbourne City in a strong preseason hit-out in Bundoora.
Taking on the reigning Ninja A-League Premiers Melbourne City at the La Trobe Sports Park, a number of new faces made their first starts in Navy Blue.
Head coach Jeff Hopkins named off-season signings Rhianna Pollicina, Kennedy White, Zoe McMeeken and Grace Maher in the starting XI, all keen to get hit the ground running in navy blue.
It would start just about perfectly for Victory despite playing against a strong wind in the first half, opening the scoring thanks to an outside-the-box strike from Nicki Flannery.
Flannery would come close to scoring a quick-fire double later after a dangerous ball was played across goal by Holly Furphy, but the 26-year-old winger could only find the side-netting.
As the half-time break approached, Victory would manage to double their lead.
Receiving the ball in the box and turning away from pressure superbly, American forward Kennedy White slipped across the ball to Rachel Lowe for a simple finish in the 43rd minute.
Remaining unchanged heading into the second 45, Victory searched to build on their two-goal lead.
Goalkeeper Courtney Newbon made a number of important claims early in the half, continuing her top form from last season that saw her nominated in the PFA Team of the Season.
With the Citizens seeking to pressure Victory high up the field, the likes of Alana Jančevski, Holly Furphy and Kennedy White would link up impressively well to break through on goal up the field.
Donning the number 10 jersey in midfield, Rhianna Pollicina impressed against her former teammates, combating well in the centre of the park while keeping the play ticking across the field.
She would eventually be partnered alongside 17-year-old Victory Academy graduate, Poppy O’Keeffe, who would quickly make her impact known with her combination of energetic pressing and composed ball-playing.
Victory would progressively enjoy more control over the game in the second half with the wind in their favour, keeping City pinned in their area with excellent pressing from the front.
Past the hour mark, Kennedy White would net her first Victory goal with an outrageous looping chip over the goalkeeper following a quick turnover of possession, an impressive way to begin her scoring in Australia.
A fourth would arrive soon after, following yet another turnover at the back forced by Victory’s pressing, with Nicki Flannery coolly finishing for her second goal of the day.
City would score a consolation goal later in the game after a quick counter-attack was finished off by Leticia McKenna.
In the final stretch of the game, nine youngsters were brought on by Jeff Hopkins.
Laura Pickett and Rosie Curtis would form the centre-back pairing, flanked by Annie Grove and Emily Rutkowski, while Jessica Young and Sofia Sakalis would join up with Poppy O’Keeffe in midfield, behind the front-three of Ella O’Grady, Sienna Techera and Fiorina Iaria.
Down the right, Techera would register a shot on target with a decent strike on goal, while left-winger Iaria would continually threaten the City defence with her electric pace out-wide.
A ball delivered into the box by Emily Rutkowski would seemingly hit the outstretched arm of a City defender in the final minutes, but Victory would not receive a spot-kick as the game came to a close.
Celebrating an excellent start to pre-season preparations against a quality opponent, Victory’s 4-1 win over City saw a range of retained players and new arrivals put together an excellent performance.
With the 2025/26 Ninja A-League season kicking off on November 1 for Victory Women’s, Jeff Hopkins’ side will take on Original Rivals Adelaide United in a pre-season friendly next.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 4 (Flannery x2, Lowe, White)
Melbourne City 1 (McKenna)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19. Zoe McMEEKEN, 23. Rachel LOWE, 66. Alana JANČEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER
