Cortnee Vine Leads Sydney FC's Pursuit of 7th Straight Grand Final Amid Criticism of Women's League

Cortnee Vine, a star forward for the Australian women's national football team, is determined to lead her club Sydney FC to a record 7th consecutive Grand Final appearance, despite facing criticism about the lack of investment and professionalism in the domestic women's league. Vine, who played a vital role in the Matildas' success at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, turned down lucrative offers from overseas clubs to remain in the A-Leagues, the competition she credits for her development as a player.

However, Vine has been vocal about her frustration with the state of the women's game in Australia. She believes the league needs to become more professional to compete with top leagues like the WSL and NWSL. Issues such as part-time contracts, lack of resources, and poor training conditions have hindered the growth of the women's game, despite the success and popularity of the 2023 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm angry that the success of the World Cup has not translated into more investment and growth for the domestic league," Vine stated in a recent interview. "The women's league needs to step up and provide better support for the players if we want to continue developing world-class talent."

Sydney FC, who finished as league runners-up, will face the Central Coast Mariners in the semi-final match, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final. Defender Margaux Chauvet is confident in her team's ability to secure the win, acknowledging the high stakes as the Mariners also push for their first-ever Grand Final appearance. The match is expected to draw a large crowd at Leichhardt Oval.

Why this matters: The success of the Matildas at the 2023 World Cup highlighted the immense potential of women's football in Australia. However, the lack of investment and professional standards in the domestic league raises concerns about the long-term development and sustainability of the women's game in the country.

Looking ahead, the Matildas aim to build on their World Cup performance and win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Coach Tony Gustavsson has a strong squad to choose from, but the team faces challenges such as injuries to key players like Sam Kerr and a tough group draw against powerhouses like the USA and Germany. As Vine and her Sydney FC teammates focus on their Grand Final pursuit, the broader question of how to elevate the women's game in Australia remains a pressing issue for the football community.

Key Takeaways

• Cortnee Vine, a Matildas star, aims to lead Sydney FC to 7th Grand Final
• Vine criticizes lack of professionalism in Australia's domestic women's league
• Sydney FC faces Central Coast Mariners in semi-final, winner advances to Grand Final
• Matildas aim for Olympic medal in 2024 but face challenges like injuries, tough draw
• Success of 2023 World Cup not translated into investment for domestic women's league