Ӱ is pleased to announce that Isabella Cooper will officiate this Sunday’s 2024-25 Ninja A-League Women’s Grand Final between Melbourne Victory FC and Central Coast Mariners FC at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Sunday’s Grand Final will be Cooper's first appointment as the referee for a W-League/ALW Grand Final, having been Fourth Official in 2017 and 2022, and Additional Assistant Referee (AAR) in 2020.
In further exciting news for Cooper, the Football South Australia product has been acknowledged for her outstanding season, being named the 2024-25 Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year.
Supporting Cooper will be Assistant Referees Maddy Allum (Football NSW) and Paula Orlandi (Football SA), along with Fourth Official Molly Godsell (Football NSW) and Fifth Official Danielle Anderson (Football VIC). Renae Coghill, Elite Coaching Manager- Women's Refereeing (Football Queensland) has also been appointed as Referee Coch for the match, herself a three-time grand final assistant referee (2015, 2016, 2019).
Orlandi (Football SA) will feature in her second Ninja A-League Grand Final, after being 5th Official in last year's match, while Allum (Football NSW) will feature in her second Grand Final after the 2022 clash between Sydney FC and Western United FC.
Further, Godsell (Football NSW) will feature in her first Grand Final at just 22 years of age, after taking control of the Elimination Final in Adelaide, and the Semi Final- Second Leg against Melbourne City FC. Godsell is also a graduate of the Ӱ Referee’s Academy.
Anderson (Football VIC) will be fifth official, after being fourth official on the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Grand Finals.
Ӱ Head of Referees Jon Moss said:
“The appointment of the match officials to this year’s Ninja A-League Women’s Grand Final is a result of their tireless work ethic, attention to detail in training, and high performance throughout the 2024/25 season.
“Izzy has shown outstanding professionalism and consistency this year, and her selection as referee is richly deserved. Equally, her team of officials — who have been superb all season — bring experience, teamwork, and composure to the biggest stage in domestic women’s football.
“Ӱ, along with the Referees Committee, extends our congratulations to Isabella and her officiating team, and we thank the entire panel of match officials for their dedication and discipline throughout the season. We wish those appointed to the Grand Final every success in what promises to be a fantastic occasion.”
A-Leagues Executive Chair, Stephen Conroy said:
“Izzy has set the standard for referees in the Ninja A-League Women this season and is no doubt inspiring a number of junior referees around Australia and New Zealand to follow in her footsteps.
“We congratulate Izzy on an exceptional season of refereeing which has seen her claim the Referee of the Year award for the first time. We look forward to having her officiate the Ninja A-League Women's Grand Final this Sunday.”
Tickets for the Ninja A-League Women 2025 Grand Final are available via www.ticketek.com.au
The Ninja A-League 2025 Grand Final will be shown live on 10 Bold from 2:30pm AEST and available to stream across 10 Play and Paramount+.
2024-25 Ninja A-League Women’s Grand Final Officials Panel
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Sunday, 18 May 2024: 3:15pm AEST
| Referee | Isabella Cooper | Fourth Official | Molly Godsell |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Maddy Allum | Fifth Official | Danielle Anderson |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Paula Orlandi | Referee Coach | Renae Coghill |
