Securing an excellent 3-1 result in the first leg of the Ninja A-League Semi Finals tie against Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory Women have put together a truly remarkable 2024/25 campaign.
While Victory could not claim the Premiers Plate, finishing just two points behind rivals Melbourne City, the positives have been plentiful in a record-breaking season for Jeff Hopkins’ side.
Best Regular Season to date
Despite Victory Women lifting the Premiers Plate in the 2018/19 season, the underlying numbers display that the 2024/25 campaign has been Victory’s strongest to date.
Finishing off the season chasing City until the final round, Victory achieved remarkable feats in their pursuit of the Premiership.
Club records such as the most wins in a row (nine, previously five), longest undefeated streak (14, previously nine), most wins in a regular season (16, previously 10) and highest points per game (2.30, previously 2.00) have all been smashed during the 2024/25 season, with the potential to be further extended in the Finals Series.
Recording 2.00 points per game (PPG) in the 2018/19 Premiership winning campaign, Victory’s 2.30 PPG this season is truly impressive.
To give context to this figure, 2.30 PPG would’ve been more than enough to finish top of the table in four of the past eight A-League Women’s seasons.
Beyond the ALW, this figure beats out Victory Men’s best-ever PPG in their 2006/07 Premiership winning season (2.14), runaway 2024/25 ALM’s Premiers Auckland FC (2.04) and current Serie A league-leaders Napoli (2.20).
Victory has also managed to go into the league’s record books with the equal-most wins in an ALW season with 16, alongside Melbourne City this season.
“Defence *clap clap clap* Defence”
Enjoying what has arguably been their best regular season since inception, Victory’s success can be put down to a variety of factors.
Defensively, Victory has been the standout team in the competition.
Conceding the fewest goals in the league (21), finding a way past Victory’s resolute defensive line has been a challenge for many teams this season.
This is particularly evident with Victory’s mammoth 11 clean sheets this season, four more than any other team managed.
A mixture of individual brilliance and structural excellence has enabled strong and experienced defenders to shine, along with allowing young players to step into the back four and not look out of place.
Captain Kayla Morrison played a crucial role with her leadership and modern ball-playing abilities, finishing among the best in the league for accurate passes per game (48.2, 3rd), accurate long balls per game (4.7, 4th) and clearances per game (6.0, 6th).
Morrison’s typical partner in the centre of defence, New Zealand international Claudia Bunge particularly impressed with her anticipation in the backline combined with her ability to contribute offensively.
Particularly threatening on set pieces, Bunge registered two goals and three assists – two of which assisted Kayla Morrison, who found the back of the net four times.
Forming a reliable alliance in the heart of defence, the fullback positions were forced to undergo change due to a variety of factors.
Occupying the left-back role in the opening weeks, the retirement of Beattie Goad left a significant hole in the team without a clear backup.
Typically operating as an attacker throughout her career, Alana Jancevski progressively made the left-back position her own over the season.
Starting in a deeper position, Jancevski was able to utilise her wicked left foot to deliver dangerous crosses and long-range strikes.
Recording five goals and three assists, Jancevski’s stunning free-kick against Sydney FC in particular caught the eyes of many and displayed her quality despite only recently turning 22 years old.
On the opposing flank, injury difficulties for off-season English recruit Ellie Wilson required players to step up at right-back.
21-year-old Laura Pickett was a particular regular in this area, making 17 appearances and 11 starts in her first season while finishing amongst the best in her position in tackling and duels statistics.
Usually a midfielder, 20-year-old Rosie Curtis also impressed filling in across the backline and making 10 appearances this season, more than double the amount she had made coming into the campaign.
Playing the entire season in between the sticks with Lydia Williams out injured, Courtney Newbon certainly proved to all her capability in goals.
Claiming the Golden Glove with 11 clean sheets kept, the 24-year-old was a calming presence at the back.
Compared with the other ALW goalkeepers this season, Newbon finished second best in the league for save percentage (76.4%) and pass accuracy (76.7%).
All in all, the cohesiveness and togetherness of Victory’s backline have enabled individual players to truly flourish amongst the league’s best.
Free-flowing midfield to attack
Although the defensive half of the field has been a particular highlight in Victory’s campaign, the work of the midfield and attacking lines cannot be understated.
Utilising a midfield three with the ability to interchange positions, the typical trio of Alex Chidiac, Alana Murphy and Sara D’Appolonia has been first-class.
Chidiac has ranked amongst the best midfielders in the league across passing, dribbling and defending categories, impacting all facets of the game for her side.
An experienced Matilda with 35 caps at only 26 years old, playing alongside Chidiac has undoubtedly aided the growth of Alana Murphy.
Making her Matildas debut in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Murphy’s composure and distribution capabilities, combined with defensive work rate and physicality, have made her one of the best midfielders in the league at the age of 20.
Complementing the two to a tee, Sara D’Appolonia’s tireless running and slick technical abilities have seen her become a key player in Jeff Hopkins’ team.
The work of the midfield has assisted in allowing the attackers on the side to express themselves and shine in front of goals.
Often occupying a role on the right wing, which can see her drift centrally to receive the ball in behind, Emily Gielnik finished tied second in the Golden Boot race with 12 goals.
Her speed and power on the wing make her a nightmare matchup for any fullback, a key player to Victory’s success this season.
Nicki Flannery has impressed since joining the club in the off-season, playing on either wing and recording five goals and two assists, with a number of these being game-defining goal contributions.
Leading the line often in a ‘false nine’ role, Rachel Lowe’s technical ability and wits in and around the box have made her an integral part of Jeff Hopkins’ system.
While registering just two goals, Lowe has provided five assists and will often do the work up front that may go unnoticed by the stats.
Mid-season injury replacement Holly Furphy has been a revelation since joining the club, scoring three goals and displaying exceptional talent that has earned her Matildas shouts.
Along with Furphy, youngsters Ella O’Grady, Jessica Young, Ava Briedis, and Sofia Sakalis have all contributed well when called upon, while Paige Zois made her long-awaited return from injury in Victory’s final game against Brisbane Roar.
Following a history-making regular season for the club, Victory has extended their winning streak to nine games against Original Rivals Adelaide United, hosting the Reds in the second leg at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday, May 10.
