The 2025-26 Ninja A-League season has reached its climax with just six teams remaining, and aleagues.com.au has you covered for all the details ahead of the first week of the Finals Series.
Canberra United vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday, April 25 – McKellar Park – 2:00pm AEST
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Final table position
Canberra United: 3rd
Melbourne Victory: 6th
Heyman Ready for Finals Comeback as Victory Skipper Embraces Underdog Status
Canberra United is making their return to the finals for the first time since the 2020-21 season, and they’re eager for a lengthy finals campaign.
With uncertainty surrounding the business direction of the club, captain Michelle Heyman understands that their performance carries greater weight beyond just football.
However, old rivals Melbourne Victory stand between them and a place in the Ninja A-League Semi-Finals.
“We’re definitely entering a new phase. The best perspective is to treat the season as finished, so everything else is behind us,” Heyman remarked during the Ninja A-League Finals Series launch.
“Finals football is an entirely different kettle of fish compared to regular season matches. We know how Victory operates, their fundamentals. We understand Jeff as a coach and are familiar with the key players who consistently play full matches.”
“We expect their style to remain the same. Our focus for the past few weeks has been entirely on ourselves, concentrating on our approach and our desire to play an aggressive attacking style.”
After maintaining steady placement within the top four for the majority of the season, Melbourne Victory barely secured their finals position, finishing just above Central Coast Mariners on goal difference.
Captain Kayla Morrison is hopeful that the squad’s experience and manager Jeff Hopkins’ leadership will propel them forward.
“Ultimately, it’s all about having finals experience. I reckon we boast a veteran squad, with most of our starting players having been involved in finals before, be it with Victory or other clubs,” she shared.
“Jeff has a knack for bringing us together ahead of the Finals Series, reminding us that while it may not always be pretty, we will find a way to win.”
Melbourne Victory have transitioned from being contenders for the Premiership to just managing to clinch a finals spot by goal difference on the final matchday, raising questions regarding their capability to progress to the Grand Final.
This underdog label fits Morrison and her squad perfectly.
“I think it actually relieves some pressure,” the captain chuckled. “People often say we shouldn’t have even made it to finals. We shouldn’t be in this situation.”
“However, the last two times we’ve lifted the Grand Final trophy, we entered as underdogs as well.”
“Playing with a sense of freedom and having that doubt from other teams spurs us on, giving us a little extra incentive with that chip on our shoulder to go out there and play more freely.”
In both encounters this season, the narrative was the same: Victory scored first, but Canberra rebounded with three unanswered goals to finish 3-1 at the final whistle.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Saturday, April 25 – Spencer Park – 5:00pm AEST
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Final table position
Brisbane Roar: 4th
Adelaide United: 5th
Reds Hope Reset Has Worked as A-Leagues Legend Ready to Relive Glory Days
Brisbane and Adelaide enter this match with contrasting form. The Roar have triumphed in their last three fixtures, netting 11 goals, while Adelaide has lost three straight, conceding eight goals in that span.
Adelaide’s Ella Tonkin shared earlier this week that the squad is focusing on the successes they achieved earlier in the season.
“Finishing the regular season on a low note wasn’t ideal, but we have experienced plenty of triumphs this season that positioned us for finals,” she stated.
“We’re looking to carry that momentum into this weekend’s match. This break has allowed us to regroup and reset.”
A notable absence for Adelaide has been goalscorer Fiona Worts, who left for an enticing offer in Asia.
Tonkin believes this change, along with a tough schedule, contributed to the team’s downward spiral towards the end of the season. Nonetheless, they are prepared to bounce back on Saturday.
“Our struggles began after a demanding three-match week, particularly after our third game against Canberra.”
“It became tough following those three matches in quick succession where we were depleted by the time we faced Canberra.
Additionally, we faced injuries and, of course, losing Fiona was a massive blow to our strike force. There were a combination of factors that contributed to our decline, including a shift in mentality.”
“Once we experienced that defeat, we fell into our heads a bit, but this two-week break has provided the necessary mental reset, which we hope will lead to more positive outcomes.”
Their bid for consecutive semi-final appearances is obstructed by Brisbane Roar.
Having drastically underperformed at the end of last season and missing the 2024-25 Finals Series entirely, Brisbane has managed to turn their form around this season, securing a spot in the finals once again.
Qualifying for the Finals is a significant milestone for the club, given they last participated in the Ninja A-League Finals Series during the 2020-21 season.
For club captain and Matildas legend Tameka Yallop, this achievement is long overdue, as she was once an integral part of the Roar’s most successful A-League Women’s teams.
“I believe we had a strong build-up last season and were rather unfortunate not to secure a top-six finish. This season, things have aligned in our favour,”
“It has felt like we have been building towards this for a couple of seasons now, with the team we have currently pushing us beyond that brink, and everyone’s eager to compete.”
“I think it’s exciting and also reflects the competitiveness of the league. If you look at all the teams battling for a top six finish until the very last game, it’s incredible that we’ve managed to complete a full season, both home and away.”
“There has been significant growth and transformation, and it’s great to see us back in the upper half of the table. I’d love to make my mark, but it will take a collective effort, which is what we’ve been striving for in recent years.”
“While I’m thrilled to be a part of it, this means a great deal to many players who are experiencing this for the first time and are equally driven.”
“In summary, we’re all pretty excited for the weekend.”
The honours are even between these sides this season; Brisbane claimed victory in Adelaide with a 3-1 scoreline in December, while Adelaide triumphed 2-0 in Brisbane in February.
Compiled by SportArena.au.
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