As the Central Coast Mariners’ bus rolls into AAMI Park on Sunday morning, Sarah Rowe will be awash with nostalgia.
The vehicle will glide down Olympic Boulevard, heading towards its destination. A quick glance out of the window will reveal Olympic Park, where she has trained for the last six years—not as a footballer but as a star of the AFLW.
The talented Irish player is not just a footballer; she’s a triple-sport athlete, having started her sporting career as an international representative for Ireland, before playing Gaelic football back in her homeland.
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In 2018, she made the leap to AFLW club Collingwood, adding Aussie Rules to her impressive portfolio.
Now, just five rounds into the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season, with her commitments in the AFLW complete, Rowe has opted to spend her Aussie Rules off-season at the Mariners. This Sunday, she’ll step onto the pitch for her inaugural Ninja A-League Grand Final, just a stone’s throw from Collingwood’s training grounds.
“Collingwood trains right next to AAMI Park, so it really feels like I’m coming home this weekend,” Rowe shared in the lead-up to the Grand Final.
“I’ve received a flood of messages from my teammates at Collingwood throughout the week, and many of them will be supporting us at the game on Sunday. It’s a thrilling time for all of us, and they are all cheering me on.”
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Despite her extensive experience across three sporting disciplines, Rowe’s switch from Aussie Rules to football has not been without its hurdles. A notable challenge has been the alteration in her usual playing position; she has transitioned from right wing to the right back of head coach Emily Husband’s defensive lineup.
To date, Rowe has logged 19 appearances for the Mariners on their path to the 2025 Ninja A-League Grand Final.
Her late-night video review sessions and tactical discussions with head coach Husband have been pivotal in helping Rowe secure her spot in Central Coast’s strongest starting lineup.
“There are definitely highs and lows,” Rowe explained. “Every time you switch back to a different sport, you really need to hone in and focus. Fortunately, with the right coaches and teammates around you, assistance is plentiful—many of the girls have been incredibly supportive this season.”
“I used to play as a right winger, but now I’ve been placed as a right-back. I needed considerable help on the defensive side of things. Em (head coach Husband) has been brilliant, dedicating extra time to assist me. During those lonelier hours when everyone else heads home, we do a lot of video analysis together.
“I’ve received a lot of support here, and I expect it will be the same when I return to Collingwood. I’ll need that additional guidance from my coaches to reach my goals.”
This Sunday afternoon at AAMI Park, while Rowe’s Collingwood teammates will be in attendance, she will also see familiar faces from her previous club during the Grand Final.
Having previously played for Victory in the Ninja A-League during the 2022-23 season, she’s acquainted with many of the players there.
“I know quite a few of them,” Rowe said.
“I received a message from Jeff (Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins) following the Semi-Final, congratulating us. I jokingly responded, ‘I hope you’re not too pleased for us next Sunday!’
“There’s a great deal of respect for Victory among us. However, on match day, once we cross that white line, it’s all about business, and we aim to give our all in the game.”
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The Mariners’ journey to the 2025 title decider came after a stunning Semi-Final victory against Melbourne City.
City were previously undefeated in their 2024-25 campaign leading into the second leg of the Semi-Final but were shocked by a 1-0 defeat, allowing the Mariners to claim a 3-2 aggregate win following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Finishing the regular season in fourth place, the Mariners enter the Grand Final against second-placed Victory as the underdogs, mirroring their position in the Semi-Finals against City.
“We feel like there’s no pressure on us,” Rowe added.
“We see ourselves as the club that no one expected to make it this far, and we’ve always believed we could. So, we don’t feel any pressure; it’s purely excitement, and we’re ready to play freely this weekend.”
“Reaching the final is what every club aspires to achieve,” Rowe continued.
“These are the moments that dreams are made of. We just want to enjoy it, immerse ourselves in everything, and stay focused. At the end of the day, it’s just another match, and our goal is to compete and win.”
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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