‘Fine line’: undefeated City face fight to keep stars

Anna Harrington | April 17, 2025

On the verge of an ‘Invincibles’ season headlined by Holly McNamara’s goal-scoring heroics, Melbourne City are hopeful of convincing their superstar striker to stick around.

City can complete an unbeaten season and seal the A-League Women premiership with a win or draw against Perth Glory away on Friday.

Golden Boot leader McNamara’s remarkable return from a third career knee reconstruction has her back in the Matildas fold after notching a league-topping 14 goals.

That tally comes despite playing just 16 of 22 matches, and starting only eight as she continues to build fitness.

The 22-year-old’s red-hot form is attracting understandable attention from overseas suitors and given she is out of contract at season’s end, the world is her oyster.

But with Sam Kerr still sidelined and Mary Fowler out for the long term with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), her next move – and the gametime that delivers – could be pivotal.

“We are having conversations,” coach Michael Matricciani said.

“As a club, we would love to keep her. But a player of that quality is going to get interest and she has been getting interest.

“Then it’s going to be up to her to decide, with her agent and family, on what she feels is going to be best for her career because there’s no doubt she is going to kick on and play at a lot higher level.

“Whether she feels that she needs to stay potentially another year, especially with the Asian Cup coming up with the Matildas.

“Because there’s that fine line with some players that are on the fringe or are breaking into the Matildas, that you want to keep playing.”

Matricciani is well aware McNamara isn’t the only player who could have overseas suitors come knocking.

Matildas midfielder Leah Davidson is also out of contract while interest could yet come for the contracted Bryleeh Henry and Laura Hughes.

“It’s a difficult situation with some players because they want to play, they want to secure themselves with better deals,” Matricciani said.

“But it’s that risk if you make that move too early or you get promised things that maybe don’t eventuate and you’re not playing, then it’s obviously going hinder your chances of being in the Matildas setup.”

But first, City have their sights set on getting the job done against Perth – a loss would give Melbourne Victory the chance to leapfrog them by beating Brisbane.

City then want a treble: the premiership, championship and Women’s Asian Champions League titles.

“We need to do our our part,” Matricciani said. 

“We’ve put ourselves in this position that, if we win, we’ll be premiers.

“Yes, this is an important match. 

“We have a chance to win a trophy, but we obviously have a big final series, and a Champions League campaign ahead.”