Ninja A-League preview: Premiers and Champions Melbourne City eyeing another successful season

Ninja A-League preview: Premiers and Champions Melbourne City eyeing another successful season Next up in our Ninja A-League previews, we’re off to Victoria and a look at the reigning Premiers and Champions Melbourne City. A third straight Premiers Plate and a Grand Final win signalled a changing of the guard in the A-League last season.  Melbourne City 2026/27 A-League preview Manager: Michael Matricciani  Last season: 1st (Premiers) Finals: Champions Melbourne City the team to beat Domestically, Melbourne City are now the team to beat. The only disappointment will have been their Asian Champions League semi-final defeat to Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Chasing success on all fronts again, City will have to adjust to life without Holly McNamara. The back-to-back Golden Boot winner moved to Everton in the WSL at the end of last season. A number of other key players have also left to pursue overseas moves.  Embed from Getty Images Alexia Aposotolakis, Leah Davidson and Laura Hughes have all moved to England while Bryleeh Henry has joined Swedish outfit Rosengård.  American centre-back Taylor Otto will also be a big miss, having joined Calgary Wild in the Northern Super League. In their place, City boss Michael Matricciani has assembled something of an A-League allstar team. The headline signing is without doubt the return to the league of Matildas star, Cortnee Vine. The former Sydney FC star joins following two years in NWSL with North Carolina Courage. Embed from Getty Images Melina Ayres is a proven goalscorer in the league and City will be hoping she can fill the considerable void left by McNamara. Momo Hayashi, Taylor Ray and Avaani Prakash will add undoubted quality to the midfield. Defensively, Aimee Medwin and Jessika Nash — who has returned after a year in Italy with Sassuolo should prove to be very good additions. Another trophy-laden season will be least City expect this year. But having swept all before them domestically, another deep run into the Asian Champions League could be the best barometer of progress. Related articles from Her Football Hub: Ninja A-League preview: Central Coast Mariners’ Finals hopes hinge on new attacking era Ninja A-League preview: Brisbane Roar ready for action with history-making Johnathan Clemente at the helm Ninja A-League preview: Adelaide United undergo squad overhaul after historic back-to-back Finals