Canberra United 1-2 Brisbane Roar
By Kieran Yap 4/4/26
Above: Momo Hayashi Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar have secured finals football for the first time since 2021 after defeating Canberra United 2-1 at McKellar Park. Goals to Aimee Medwin and Alicia Woods secured the result, despite a strong start from the hosts and a trademark goal from Michelle Heyman.
Alex Smith’s side arrived in Canberra needing a win to guarantee a spot in the top six, after a strong start to 2025/26 there were signs of another late season fade in form. The departure of Leia Varley and injuries to Sharn Freier, Tameka Yallop and Grace Kuilamu threatened to derail another promising season.
Although Yallop has returned to action recently, The Roar were without Zara Kruger for this important encounter. The midfielder is currently on international duty with The Young Matildas in Thailand.
Canberra United have also enjoyed their best season since 2021, and although they could not realistically change their ladder position, a win would mean that The Central Coast made finals over Melbourne Victory. In a practical sense, it could mean less travel for Canberra in the month ahead.
Teagan Bertolissio was a key figure missing from the home team. She joined Kruger in Green and Gold.
Despite having mostly form to play for, Canberra began the game in attack mode. Sasha Grove and Michelle Heyman combined to put Emma Hawkins into a scoring position, but her shot was poorly struck and Chloe Lincoln was untroubled.
Brisbane handled the initial surge and opened the scoring despite losing star recruit benet Jensen to early injury. Kijah Stephenson’s beautifully weighted pass evade the entire Canberra defence and Aimee Medwin finished with equal quality on the half volley.
Although Brisbane remained dangerous, Canberra continued to attack, and should have euqalised when Hawkins disposed Lincoln, but it took until the hour mark to draw level. Bethany Gordon’s lofted pass was flicked on by Heyman to make it 1-1.
The eventual winner came in spectacular circumstances. Alicia Woods 68th minute corner landed inside the far post for her first goal of this season.
The home side were not cowed by going behind, and Hawkin’s deep cross was almost turned in by Grove at the back post. Despite the athleticism of the attempt, an outretched, acrobatic volley, Lincoln was well position to save.
The Matildas goalkeeper was the difference in between these sides. Her penalty save from Mary Stanic-Floody effectively decided the result.
This was a huge win for Brisbane. Finals football has been elusive over the past five years despite having some of the nations most talented youngsters. Had they lost today and missed the six, they would have had many valid excuses, but Brisbane dug in, and combined quality with grit to get the result that they needed.
Canberra United will fear nobody in the coming weeks. They are a talented, tactically versatile and unpredictable team, who can beat anybody on their day.
They still boast the greatest striker this league has seen, and with their off-field future uncertain, they could be inspired to win their first trophy since 2015.
Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (4-4-2): James, Grove, Taylor-Young, Robers, Sasaki, Gordon, Anton, Hawkins, Aulicino, Heyman, Christopherson. Substitutes: McKenzie, Malone, Bobbin, Skelley, Stanic-Floody.
Goals: Heyman 62’
BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-2-1): Lincoln, Cuthbert, Beard, Seidl, Studer, Stephenson, Hayashi, Woods, Medwin, Jansen, Miller. Substitutes: Meyers, Kinsella, Yallop, Hansen, Piazza, Franco.
Goals: Medwin, 21’ Woods 68’
Referee: Isabella Mossin
Attendance: 1,934.
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