Emily Gielnik is adamant that she has a rightful place within the CommBank Matildas framework as the Melbourne Victory star aims for an international comeback following an impressive performance in the 2024-25 Ninja A-League Finals Series.
Gielnik and her Victory teammates will take a break during the first week of the finals, having secured second place behind their rivals Melbourne City. The champions-in-waiting are poised to face one of the elimination finalists in the next round.
For Gielnik, the Finals Series represents not just a shot at silverware but also a significant opportunity to reinforce her credentials for the Matildas.
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After a lengthy 785-day hiatus, Gielnik made her return to the Matildas setup in December. However, the 32-year-old was absent from the latest international fixtures in 2025, despite finishing the Ninja A-League regular season with an impressive tally of 12 goals.
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“It’s no secret… I genuinely believe I can return and that I belong in that environment; I’ll keep proving that to myself week after week,” Gielnik shared with reporters.
“Participating in the finals is another opportunity for coaches to gauge your potential and assess your performance.”
Having re-joined Victory in 2023 for a second spell at the Melbourne club, Gielnik’s future after this season remains uncertain.
One thing is certain: Gielnik will not be seeking advice from the expected next Matildas coach, Joe Montemurro, who is renowned in A-Leagues circles and currently leads Lyon’s women’s team.
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“That could be risky, as I think if you try too hard to meet another coach’s expectations, you might lose your authentic self, resulting in undue pressure,” she said.
“I’ve made that mistake before, trying to please everyone by doing what I thought coaches wanted. It hasn’t worked out for me.”
“I need to reassess, trust my instincts, find the right fit for me, and hit the ground running.”
In action this weekend will be Australian international Chloe Berryhill, who leads Western United into their Elimination Final against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
Similar to Gielnik, Berryhill’s Matildas journey has been hampered by injuries in recent years.
Nonetheless, she is not letting thoughts of an international return drive her performance in the Finals Series.
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“The national team is always somewhere in the back of your mind. However… it’s not my main focus,” she explained.
“My priority is to perform well in the finals, to contribute to Western, and anything beyond that, if it leads to national selection, will be a bonus.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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