Melbourne Victory won the NPLW U20 Championship on Sunday, courtesy of a 0-5 final-day success away to Preston Lions.
The Girls in Blue, led by Head Coach, Reide Mulholland, and Assistant Coach, Bella Santilli, claimed the title in style to cap off a memorable inaugural season playing in the competition, after the Club, in August 2025, was granted a licence to compete in the Senior and U20 competition.
Victory headed to Genis Steel Stadium knowing a round 26 win would land top spot on the ladder. However, as they were being held at the break, second-place Spring Hills FC, despite an inferior goal difference, were in front against Avondale to keep the pressure on.
This was quickly relieved by the visitors, who showed no signs of nerves on the road, netting five times without a Preston reply in the final half hour, with Olivia Nicolazzo, Maisey Gasper (2), Addison Broadbent and Tanisha Winstanley on target to make it 19 wins from 26 matches.
Their tremendous maiden season effort featured 112 goals, 28 of which were scored by league Golden Boot winner Anastazia Simic. The forward and her teammate Violet Hall received call-ups during the campaign to a Junior Matildas group preparing for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
