City name a familiar starting XI that is most likely to settle into a 3-4-3 formation. Golden boot winner Holly McNamara is, as always, the danger woman for City. Though Shelby McMahon is quickly making a name for herself when it comes to scoring clutch goals. Exciting winger Danella Butrus is back in the squad after missing the semi-final while the 20-year-old recovered from a concussion sustained on international duty with the Young Matildas last month. Nigerian international Chinaza Uchendu remains suspended for one more, critical game. Grand finalists dominate PFA’s A-League Women team of the season Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix make up more than half of the 18 players selected in the PFA’s A-League Women team of the season. City defender Rebekah Stott received the most votes from her peers picking the side and was named captain. Golden boot winner Holly McNamara was also voted into the starting lineup alongside teammate Leticia McKenna. Forward Aideen Keane earned a place on the bench. While the premiers provided four players to the team of the season, runners-up and grand final rivals the Phoenix had six players picked. Centre-back Mackenzie Barry, midfielders Pia Vlok and Grace Jale, and attacker Brooke Nunn were named in the starting lineup. Goalkeeper Victoria Esson and defender Marisa van der Meer were named on the bench. Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman was voted by the players as the best manager of the competition in her inaugural season at the helm of the New Zealand outfit. Perth Glory’s Teresa Morrissey was the players’ pick for goalkeeper, Brisbane Roar provided Aimee Medwin and Daisy Brown, Adelaide United defender Ella Tonkin, Central Coast Mariners Isabel Gomez and Annalise Rasmussen, and Melbourne Victory Claudia Bunge and Rhianna Pollicina. Melbourne City have a third consecutive A-League Women premiers’ plate in the bag but have had little time to celebrate with two huge steps still to come in their quest for a historic treble. Even if they beat Wellington Phoenix in the final today, City will have to keep a lid on any party. Win or lose, they are due to fly out at 7.25am tomorrow morning to travel to South Korea for the Asian Champions League semi-finals, and a clash with Japanese club Tokyo Verdy Beleza. As Jack Snape reports, the players are prepared for an unusual climax to a season. “We’ll have a little function after [the grand final] with our family and friends, and then the club’s booked us a hotel at the airport, so we’ll get a good night’s rest and then straight over to Korea,” City captain Rebekah Stott says. Hello andwelcome to live coverage of theA-League Women grand final between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenixat AAMI Park. City are on the march toward history with a third consecutive premiers’ plate already secured and a domestic double up for grabs as they host the league decider. A win would also secure them a record-equalling fifth women’s championship but, despite their recent success in the league, their first title since 2020. While their focus will no doubt be on the 90 minutes – and possibly more – at AAMI Park, once the final whistle blows a hint of attention must turn to their midweek Asian Champions League semi-final in South Korea. City booked their spot in the final with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Victory when 17-year-old Young Matildas midfielder Shelby McMahon lashed in a fierce shot from outside the penalty box in the second leg of their semi-final. Matildas midfielder Leticia McKenna had given City the early advantage when scoring from a free kick in the first leg, as the premiers eased through 2-0 on aggregate. While much of the spotlight is on City’s hopes for a domestic double – and possibly a treble – Wellington Phoenix are just one win away from their own breakthrough to a first A-League Women crown. Wellington entered the ALW in 2021 and made little impact on the competition as they missed the finals in the past four seasons. Their fortunes turned, however, with the arrival of former Canada coach Bev Priestman in the off-season, as they finished runners-up behind City in the league and are now just one win away from a trophy. The Phoenix defeated Brisbane Roar 2-0 after extra time in the second leg of their semi-final to claim their spot in the decider. American striker Makala Woods grabbed a first half goal and added a second in the first period of extra time to help Wellington overcome a first-leg deficit and down the Roar 3-2 on aggregate. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals in 14 games since arriving in the ALW in January and looms as a huge threat in the final as the Nix turn to her pace and polish on the counter. City edged their home match between the sides 1-0 in December, then claimed the return meeting in New Zealand the following month 2-1. The Phoenix finished six points behind the eventual premiers but scored more goals than any other team in the league, and conceded the fewest, so fair to say the final is far from a formality for City. Kick-off in Melbourne is 4.15pm local / 6.15pm NZST. I’ll be back shortly with the lineups and team news. But now is the time to hit me up with questions, thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email, or find me on X @martinpegan and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!