Brisbane Roar 2-3 Newcastle Jets
By Isabelle Campbell 16/3/25
Above: The Newcastle Jets score a late winner. Photo: A-League Women
Newcastle Jets secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brisbane Roar at Perry Park, with Lauren Allan scoring the decisive goal in the final minute of extra time. Despite creating multiple chances, Brisbane were unable to hold onto their lead, leaving the Jets with a hard-fought win.
Newcastle entered the match having been struggling on the road, with an uninspiring away record of one draw, six losses, and a solitary win from their travels this season. For Brisbane, the fixture was significant for several reasons, it marked the return of Ruby Cuthbert to the team sheet, who was in contention to make her first appearance of the season following an injury. Additionally, Keeley Richards was given her first start in goal for the season.
The match got off to a blazing start, with Brisbane Roar taking an early lead just seven minutes into the game. Laini Freier delivered a perfectly timed pass to Tameka Yallop, who made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. Newcastle Jets responded with urgency, determined to get back into the match. Emily Pringle came close to doubling Brisbane’s lead, but her effort was ruled offside.
In the 17th minute, the Jets found their equalizer when Emma Dundas unleashed a powerful shot from distance, beating the keeper and bringing the visitors level. However, the Jets’ joy was short-lived. Just a minute later, Yallop struck again, collecting the ball outside the box and firing a fierce shot past Danielle Krzyzaniak to restore Brisbane’s advantage.
The game continued at a frantic pace, with both teams looking to get ahead. Brisbane was forced into a substitution when Grace Kuilamu went down with an apparent arm injury. Evdokiya Popadinova came on in her place and almost made an immediate impact, firing a shot on target, but Krzyzaniak was there to make the routine save.
Newcastle came close to another equalizer when Sophie Hoban floated a dangerous ball into the box, but Cassidy Davis’ attempt sailed just over the crossbar. Despite the Jets’ persistent efforts, Brisbane controlled most of the possession. Laini Freier made a darting run forward, showing her speed and skill on the ball, but was outpaced in a footrace by Jets defender Josie Wilson.
The Jets weren’t short of chances, with Davis rattling the crossbar twice in quick succession. Lauren Allan also had her go at goal, but her shot drifted wide, leaving Roar untouched.
As the first half drew to a close, Brisbane maintained their slim lead, with the game remaining to lean in the home side’s favour despite the Jets’ continued pressure.
The second half resumed with Brisbane Roar immediately on the attack, as Yallop looked to complete her hat-trick just minutes after the restart. A powerful shot from the Roar captain narrowly missed, curling just an inch to the right of the post. Despite her near miss, the Roar continued to press forward, but it was Newcastle Jets who found themselves back on level terms. In the 49th minute, Deven Jackson fired a clinical strike past Keeley Richards, restoring levelness at 2-2.
The match quickly became a battle of chances, with both sides creating opportunities but failing to convert. Freier, who had been a constant threat throughout, was presented with multiple good chances to put Brisbane ahead, but each effort was either blocked or saved by Krzyzaniak. The Jets, for their part, also took their chances but struggled to break through the Roar defense.
As the clock ticked down, the game grew more frantic, with both teams pushing for the decisive goal. In the 70th minute, Brisbane’s Alicia Woods looked set to make the difference, breaking into the box and unleashing a powerful shot, only for Krzyzaniak to produce a brilliant save to deny her.
The drama intensified as Newcastle thought they had found the lead when Claire Adams charged the ball into the net. However, the referee’s offside flag was quickly raised, and the Jets’ hopes were dashed for the moment.
With the match entering the dying moments and both teams desperately searching for a winner, the game reached its peak in the final minute of extra time. It was none other than Lauren Allan, Newcastle Jets’ all-time leading goalscorer, who sealed the victory for her side. The forward found the back of the net in dramatic fashion, ensuring a 3-2 win for the Jets.
Despite a hard-fought performance, Brisbane Roar were unable to secure any points at home, leaving them to reflect on a match that slipped through their grasp in the final moments.
The next round of the campaign will see Brisbane Roar travel to take on third place Adelaide United while Newcastle Jets head to The Home Of The Matildas to battle it out against Melbourne Victory.
Check out our Instagram feed – @impetusfootball – to view Impetus’ Ant Sartori’s photo gallery from the game.
Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (3-2-4-1): Richards, De La Harpe, Kruger, McQueen, Hoyos, Pringle, Hayashi, Woods, Yallop, L. Freier, Kuilamu. Substitutes: Kinsella, Hecher, Popadinova, Cuthbert, Gibbon.
Goals: Yallop 7’, 19’
NEWCASTLE JETS (3-4-3): Krzyzaniak, Wilson, Cicco, Prior, Davis, Dundas, Copus-Brown, Jackson, Allan, Hoban, Baumann. Substitutes: Breier, Rolley, Hammond, Robertson, Adams.
Goals: Dundas 17’, Jackson 49’, Allan 90+5’
Referee: Isabella Mossin
Attendance: 2,548.
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