Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers Extra

Ben Gilby reports on both head coaches’ post-match media conferences, plus Tom McCarthy provides another superb photo gallery from Macedonia Park (5/3/23).

Above: Tash Rigby shows her delight after scoring her first A-League Women goal with teammates Alana Jancevski and Cyera Hintzen. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis lamented his side’s “clunky” performance in the first half of today’s game with Western Sydney Wanderers but remains confident that the Glory can finish inside the top four.

“It wasn’t as smooth and clean as we’re used to and capable of. But there was a mentality there where we stayed in the game despite things that weren’t working with our play. We were a bit clunky,” he told the media after the match.

The draw meant that Perth can no longer enter the top four by winning their game in hand, but with games away to sides in the lower reaches of the ladder in the coming weeks, Epakis believes the gap can be bridged.

“We’re certainly capable of making up those points in the coming games. I would have preferred the (three) points and so did the team. We’re six unbeaten…I’m pretty confident we can make it up.”

Asked how he asked his team to turn things around at the break after being on the back foot for much of the opening 45 minutes, the Perth boss said: “The first 30-40 minutes, they (Western Sydney Wanderers) had some good passages of play. Credit where credit is due they were pretty determined. We tweaked a few things to deal with the extra body they had in midfield and changed our press a bit and needed to be more aggressive.”

Above: Tash Rigby runs through on the lead-up to her goal. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

The highlight of the afternoon was club icon Tash Rigby’s first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th game. The Glory boss has been a massive fan of what the defender offers his team ever since he took over three seasons ago.

“What a goal! At half-time, she was pretty fixated on ripping into them in the second half. What you get with Tash is she wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves the club, and moments like that it’s just her putting all those things out there. She deserves that goal and deserves everything she gets.”

Epakis was also impressed with the efforts of striker Cyera Hintzen, who had another hard-working afternoon.

“She is the best nine in the competition. She is so rounded. She is not just a striker who scores, she creates chances and creates space for others, she presses. She makes selfless runs for others. She is a really special player and is important to what we do. Cyera just needs a moment to create something.”

Above: Cyera Hintzen tries to round Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

Western Sydney Wanderers boss Kat Smith was delighted that her side’s hard work in training paid off as they worked to reduce the impact Perth Glory’s attacking threats to emerge with a point that could have been all three.

“It was certainly entertaining! It was a cliched game of two halves. We had some opportunities and the balance of possession. What we worked on in training we certainly saw on the park, so that’s a tick. We’re searching for quality in the final third and will keep working on that.”

Wanderers were forced into making changes with two players on Young Matildas duty, and they would also lose Beth Gordon to injury in the second half, but Smith’s side never looked adversely impacted.

“We made some changes in personnel, we have players who can step up and step into those positions. The game opened up and, yeh, you just hold on, don’t you?”

Reflecting on the shift in momentum after the break, the Wanderers head coach said: “Goals change games. From there we had to try and settle and go again. That gave Perth a bit of ascendency. We didn’t change much in the second half as we were good first half. If we had been in a position to score one in that first half, it would have been different.

Above: Western Sydney Wanderers had lots of joy breaking through the middle at Macedonia Park to get shots away. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

“We were finding good pockets of space but needed to be more connected in midfield. We were engaging our fullbacks to join the attack. Then against the run of play came the goal and there was a bit of panic stations. We changed our formation to get more players out wide and some more box entries.”

One of Western Sydney’s key attacking threats during the game was Sophie Harding. The former Newcastle Jet was looking to run through the centre of the park at every opportunity and proved to be a thorn in Perth’s side all afternoon.

“Sophie has some very good weapons in terms of her pace. She likes to get possession and drive with it. She is so quick that sometimes she gets isolated, so we’ve been doing a lot of work with her in terms of what area of the park we want her to get the ball in.”

Smith ended her media conference by updating the situation surrounding two of her players, first of all the injury to Beth Gordon, and then the status of goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer. “Beth had a dislocated shoulder. She has had it put back in. We’ll look after her. The care for her was first class.

“It was Jordyn Bloomer’s last game for the club (before returning to the NWSL). Jordyn has been excellent. The value she has brought in has been irreplaceable in terms of her onfield professionalism and presence. She sets the tone with her expectations of the squad.”

Tom McCarthy’s photo gallery from Macedonia Park:

To read Ben Gilby‘s match report of Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/03/05/honours-even-despite-rigbys-landmark-strike/

Honours even despite Rigby’s landmark strike

Perth Glory 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

by Ben Gilby (5/3/23)

Above: The historic moment when Tash Rigby scored her first A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance to win the match for Perth Glory against Western Sydney Wanderers today. Photo: Anthony McCarthy.

Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers played out an entertaining draw which will always be remembered for Glory captain Tash Rigby scoring her first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance.

Whilst Perth have extended their unbeaten run to six matches, this is a damaging result to their Finals hopes. Wanderers will feel frustrated not to have taken all three points at Macedonia Park after unpacking an intelligent game plan which combined energetic attacking play with wrapping up the home side’s attacking weapons for the whole of the opening 45 minutes.

Both teams went into the game making changes. Perth Glory boss Alex Epakis handed a first start for the hugely talented youngster Alana Jancevski since December with Ella Mastrantonio also in the 11 at kick-off after initially returning from suspension on the bench last week. Hannah Blake and Sarah Cain dropped down to the bench as a result.

Above: Olivia Price looks to get past Alana Jancevski. Photo: Keep Up.

The visitors were without Gemma Ferris and Alexia Apostolakis, both on Young Matildas duty, but on the positive side of the ledger, could welcome back Sarina Bolden who had been in action at the Pinatar Cup competition for the Philippines in Spain.

The Wanderers made a fast start and conjured up a real chance within the opening two minutes as Sophie Harding fired an early long ranger which crashed back off of the angle of post and bar with Morgan Aquino beaten in the Perth goal.

The hosts replied from a rare error at the back from new Matildas defender Clare Hunt who lost possession from Jordyn Bloomer’s place kick as Sofia Sakalis picked her pocket and played in Cyera Hintzen outside her, with the American striker’s effort rolling narrowly wide.

With 20 minutes on the clock, possession was officially at 50% each, but the visitors had more of it in the areas that mattered and looked full of energy. However, Wanderers were not just looking good coming forward, they were successful in nullifying the key link-ups between Sakalis and Hintzen that have been such a major contributing factor in the Glory’s five-match unbeaten run were being stifled. Hana Lowry and Jancevski were also seeing limited possession as Kat Smith’s side worked hard to nullify their impact.

Above: Amy Chessari, who went close for Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Keep Up.

Western Sydney continued to pose the questions and rack up the chances. Amy Chessari had a shot in the box that deflected narrowly wide for a corner. Runs through the centre of midfield towards the box were continuing to cause Perth real problems and two further efforts from such moves came their way.

First, Amy Harrison received the ball and turned away from Lowry to fire a shot that went just over the bar. Then Harding ran through the space and unleashed another effort. The visitors were patiently probing.

Perth had the last opportunity of the half when Jancevski’s outside of the boot pass found Hintzen who broke through to get a shot in that Bloomer held. It was just a reminder of the home side’s potential. The fact that the scoreline remained 0-0 at the break raised questions as to whether Wanderers had missed their chance.

That seemed to be the case, as from the restart, it was immediately apparent that Perth’s attacking weapons were being allowed far more time on the ball. For the first time all afternoon, Sofia Sakalis had time and space to dance up the wing and cut inside to create. It was a warning that Western Sydney did not heed.

Above: Perth Glory celebrate Tash Rigby’s historic goal. Photo: Keep Up.

Within nine minutes of the restart, captain Tash Rigby had possession along the right and played a rapid-fire one-two with Jancevski before steering home her first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance. The Western Australian native has been a huge part of the fabric of Perth Glory down the years and this was a richly deserved goal.

Once the joy calmed down after the goal, the Glory were never quite able to push on to ensure the win, and as the half went on, Wanderers got their second wind and began to gather more of the possession, despite losing Bethany Gordon with an excruciating looking injury that after the match was diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder.

Finally, with 10 minutes to go, the visitors got the goal they deserved for their efforts. Harding sliced her way through again and looked to have been pushed wide of the target by Kim Carroll, but out came Aquino who brought Harding down, giving referee Isabella Blaess no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Amy Harrison to level matters.

The final periods were harem-scarem with opportunities at both ends. Football Fern Hannah Blake, on as sub for Jancevski, broke through and curled a shot wide of the right-hand post when a powerful drive may well have been a more realistic choice.

Above: Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate Amy Harrison’s equalising penalty. Photo: Keep Up.

There was one final chance at the death as Demi Koulizakis crossed for Hintzen at the back post, but the striker couldn’t direct her effort on target.

This outcome means that Perth have now lost their advantage in the Finals race. Even winning their game in hand will not be enough to break into the top four without teams above them dropping points.

To read Ben Gilby‘s report of the post-match media conferences and see Tom McCarthy‘s photo gallery from Macedonia Park, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/03/05/perth-glory-v-western-sydney-wanderers-extra/

Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-2-3-1): Aquino, Rigby, Anton, Carroll, Foletta, Mastrantonio, Lawrence, Jancevski, Lowry, Sakalis, Hintzen. Substitutes: Blake, Cain, Green, Koulizakis, Langman (GK).

Scorers: Rigby 54′.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-1-4-1): Bloomer, Matos, Hunt, Abdul Massih, Gordon, Harrison, Price, Chessari, Steinmetz, Harding, Bolden. Substitutes: Caceres, Chlastáková, Hristodoulou, Khamis (GK), Rue.

Scorers: Harrison (pen) 80′.

Referee: Isabella Blaess.

Attendance: 656

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Sydney show class to topple leaders

Sydney FC 3-0 Western United

by Ben Carey (5/3/23)

Above:  Mackenzie Hawkesby and Rachel Lowe celebrate after Lowe gave Sydney the lead. Photo: KeepUp.

Sydney FC emerged victorious from an exciting top-of-the-table clash against Western United on Sunday afternoon.

It was their second meeting of the season, with Western getting the better of Sydney last time in Melbourne. This time, Sydney had the home advantage, and they used it to full effect, exacting revenge over their closest A-League competitor in match full of goals and drama.

Western had the first big chance of the game. Four minutes in, Hannah Keane made an amazing run towards the goal, weaving past Sydney defenders, eventually cutting it back to Danielle Steer, who had an opportunity to tap it past the keeper but could not find the back of the net.

About 15 minutes later, Western United attacked unsuccessfully and Sydney pounced on an opportunity for a counterattack. Cortnee Vine made a good run and linked up with Mackenzie Hawkesby out wide who had a superior angle. She put a good shot on target, but Hilary Beall in the Western goal was equal to it, jumping upwards and tipping the ball onto the crossbar and out.

Sydney had the upper hand for the rest of the first half. On numerous occasions they pinned Western into their defensive half and were just relentless, passing the ball around and trying different avenues of attack. But Sydney was unable to convert on any of their chances and Western United did just enough to stay out of trouble.

Above: Sydney FC turn away from Western United and maintain possession. Photo: Keep Up.

Not long into the second half, the deadlock was broken. In the 51st minute, Hawkesby in the midfield hit a good cross to Vine who played an immaculate through ball to Rachel Lowe. Lowe had made a fantastic run and done very well to stay onside and Vine’s ball set her up to go one on one with the keeper. She didn’t panic, remained composed, and tucked it past Beall to draw first blood for Sydney.

10 minutes later, Vine intercepted a poor pass in the midfield and ran through all the way to the goal line, and crossed a dangerous ball into the box. Western United failed to block or clear the ball and Lowe slotted in her second goal of the match.

Princess Ibini, who had been quiet in the first half, had been looking very threatening in the second. In the 81st minute, she decided to join the goalscoring party. She received a wonderful ball from Nat Tobin in the midfield, ran forward, and chipped the keeper. The ball hit the inside of the crossbar and bounced in. It was Ibini’s sixth goal of the season.

With 10 minutes to go, it seemed like Sydney would simply close out this emphatic win over Western United. But there were still a few more twists in the tale. A minute into stoppage time, Tobin received a second yellow card, resulting in an indirect red card and she had to leave the pitch. The decision puzzled a number of people on and off the field, most of all Tobin, who was confused about what she’d done to earn a second yellow.

Immediately prior to the booking, a Western player was tugging on Tobin’s shoulder. Tobin broke free, perhaps brushing the player in the chest with a stray arm, but certainly not with any force or malice. It was either that or backchat about the initial foul.

Above: Western United’s Jaclyn Sawicki and Sydney’s Nat Tobin contest possession. Photo: Keep Up.

Either way, it was a baffling decision by referee Lara Lee. Moments like this are evidence of why the A-League needs a low-tech VAR system or at the very least an external review process to get bad on-field decisions overturned (as was seen recently in the WSL with Ella Toone’s overturned red card).

A few minutes after the Tobin incident, Jada Whyman had a rough collision in the air with several players when she came out to collect a ball. She and Charlotte Mclean both received medical attention and were substituted due to injury. Despite all of the drama, Sydney managed to close out the match without conceding.

All in all, it was an exciting, but surprisingly one-sided clash. The first half was tight, but Sydney came out guns blazing in the second. Their accurate and quick passing, dynamic movement, and intent to move forward and attack proved too much for Western.

It was a stark contrast to their last meeting where Western United were pulling all of the strings. But they have looked like a completely different team ever since losing Chloe Logarzo and Jessica McDonald, who were a vital part of the team who dominated the first half of the season. It’s like if The Beatles lost John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They just don’t seem to be as sound in the midfield or have as many options in attack anymore.

Next Saturday, Western United will play Brisbane Roar away and Sydney FC will take on Wellington Phoenix at home.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Mclean, Fenton, De La Harpe, Hunter, Vine, Tobin, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini, Lowe. Substitutes: Offer, Green, Collister, Dos Santos, Badawiya.

Scorers: Lowe 51’, 64’, Ibini 81’.

WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Beard, Cummings, Cerne, Sardo, A. Taranto, Sawicki, M. Taranto, Vlajnic, Keane, Steer. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Iermano, Dakic, Jaber, Robers.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 566.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Connors cancels Phoenix party

Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Brisbane Roar.

By Kieran Yap (4/3/23).

Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate Marisa Van Der Meer’s goal against Brisbane Roar. Photo: @WgtnPhoenixFC twitter

As far as low scoring draws go, the match between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar was one of the more entertaining games of the round. Goals from Marisa Van Der Meer and Shea Connors meant that the honours were shared, but this was a game filled with subplots, coaching maneuvers, and brilliant individual play.

In an inconvenient compliment to both sides, this game was effected by The Young Matildas camp. Claudia Cicco was called up from Wellington’s squad, while Zara Kruger was Brisbane’s representative in the Under 20 Australian team.

The Roar were also without Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry for this match, which meant a slight reshuffle of Brisbane’s midfield and attack. Hollie Palmer was pushed slightly further forward than usual. Her creativity has been crucial for The Roar so far this season.

Going into this round she was only behind Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby for chances created. Brisbane captain Ayesha Norrie played a hybrid role. The talismanic midfielder drifted between midfield and defence depending on the momentum of the game and state of possession.

It was in attack, where the most interesting move was made by Roar coach Garreth McPherson. Without Crummer, Sharn Freier was introduced on the left wing and Shea Connors shifted into a central role.

Connors was dominant as a centre forward in the NSW NPLW last season. Her mobility, dribbling, and tenacity provided Brisbane with their best moments. She can play with her back to goal and has the ability to take players on. The two-footed striker is a threat from either side of the penalty box and the change in position made Brisbane a threat even though Wellington dominated possession.

The Phoenix have grown in confidence as the season has gone on. Much of that has been the gradual overcoming of injuries, but also the emergence of new stars. Players like Michaela Foster and Millie Clegg have given them class and depth. Paige Satchell and Alyssa Whinham are both very handy players to be able to bring off the bench, and Wellington’s growth as a squad means that Natalie Lawrence can be more creative with line-up decisions and impact games with substitutions.

Wellington controlled the majority of possession on their home turf. Without Gorry, Brisbane made few attempts to hold onto the ball, and instead tried to get the ball long to Connors and Indiah-Paige Riley as quickly as possible.

Brisbane’s direct style forged almost opened the scoring. Connors surged down the middle of the pitch, but could only win a corner despite the electric turn of pace.

Wellington’s dominance was rewarded with the opening goal in the 26th minute. Foster has earned a reputation as a dangerous set-piece taker this season. Her free kick to set up Van Der Meer’s header affirmed her status as one of the Phoenix’s most valuable players.

Brisbane almost struck back through another solo run from Connors. The in-form Brianna Edwards saved well for Wellington. But this was a warning that even though they defended deep, they were still vulnerable on the counter attack.

Wellington had threats of their own. Millie Clegg has become a dependably creative force in their attack and her swerving footwork opened up space for a shot that brought the best out of Hensley Hancuff. The Roar keeper pushed wide what looked to be a certain goal.

Connors continued to test the Wellington defence in the second half. She won the ball from the Phoenix defender and raced toward goal. To her frustration, her shot missed the target and skidded wide.

When her goal finally arrived it was worth the wait. The Roar midfield obviously backed her pace and another long pass was exactly what she wanted. Although she was shoulder to shoulder to Mackenzie Barry when the move started, Connors had enough acceleration to get goal side and kept her composure to finish low beyond Edwards to level the scores in the 80th minute.

Neither side was happy with the draw and Wellington brought on Whinham and Satchell in an attempt to break the deadlock. Barry’s perfectly hit long ball almost set Satchell up for a winner. The lighting quick winger caught up to the ball and rounded Hancuff, but her touch took her wide and the chance petered out.

The final stages of the match were end-to-end and Brisbane would feel unlucky not to have snatched a late win. Connors’ low ball across the face of goal only needed a touch to go in, but Margot Robbine was well-defended and Wellington escaped the attack unscathed.

The draw does not do much for either team’s season. Brisbane’s finals hopes appear to have dwindled and Phoenix will just want to keep improving and retain players.

With four games left to play, neither side looks likely of cracking the top four, but both are still capable of playing some highly entertaining football. This was a fantastic football match and although neither coach was happy with the result, they could find positives in the performances.

“We’ve said it a few times this season that we deserve something out of the game, but we deserved to win the game,” Lawrence told media post-match.

“I don’t think we’ve been that dominant in a game yet in our history, where we’ve had so many chances. Some of the stuff there was actually described to me as scintillating, which I thought was quite a nice way to describe it.”

Despite their improvements on the pitch, Wellington Phoenix are still bottom of the ladder, four points adrift of Newcastle Jets. Yet at the present time, whilst Phoenix are clearly getting better, the same cannot be said for Newcastle, which offers Lawrence and her team real hope of avoiding the wooden spoon.

“We are still in reach of them,” the Phoenix head coach said. “We play them and we have two games in hand, so I feel like destiny is in our hands to achieve our goal of not only beating the points tally of last season but getting off the bottom of the league.

“This game has meant that we’ve got points out of four games this season, which is one more than last season. There are huge, huge positives.”

Lawrence was also frustrated by the fact that Brisbane Roar captain Ayesha Norrie escaped a red card for pushing Betsy Hassett in the face.

“I don’t know what the referee saw there but if that’s not a red card I don’t know what is. Once again, we leave a little bit frustrated with the officiating. If they’re down to 10 players, we’re 1-0 up and we’re as dominant as we are then the game probably looks a little bit different.”

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): Edwards, Barry, Van Der Meer, Taylor, Foster, Wisnewski, Hassett, Knott, Clegg, Pritchard, Robertson. Substitutes: Brown, Vosper, Whinham, Satchell, Rolston.

Scorers: Van Der Meer 26′.

BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-3): Hancuff, Ling, Norrie, Rankin, Rasschaert, Palmer, Davern, Kramer, Freier, Connors, Riley. Substitutes: Shuttleworth, Stephenson, McQueen, Levin, Robbine.

Scorers: Connors 80′.

Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.

Attendance: 2,574.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On her Side.

McNamara dazzles on return in City win

Newcastle Jets 0-4 Melbourne City

By Jonathan Tay (4/3/23)

Above: Maria Rojas and Hannah Wilkinson (left) celebrate with Chelsea Blissett (right). Image: @MelbourneCity twitter

Returnees Holly McNamara and Maria Rojas starred as Melbourne City defeated the Newcastle Jets 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Rojas opened the scoring for City in the first half, before late goals for Rhianna Pollicina, Bryleeh Henry, and Hannah Wilkinson sealed the away victory for the Melbournians.

This was McNamara’s first official game action after over 12 months out, having suffered an ACL tear in February 2022. The 20-year-old was a breakout star of last season’s Liberty A-League, with four goals and three assists in just eight games before her devastating injury.

Melbourne City also welcomed back Rojas to the squad for the first time since Gameweek five. The Sky Blues had sorely missed her creativity and goal-scoring ability, having seen the expected goals on average more than halve in Rojas’ time away. The Chilean was part of her national team’s ultimately unsuccessful campaign to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.

For Newcastle, Teigan Allen and teenager Chloe Walandouw were drafted into a Jets backline missing both centre-backs Emily Garnier and Taren King. Each was suspended after a red card and yellow card respectively last weekend in a dispiriting 6-0 loss to ladder leaders Western United.

The opening stages of the match were an even contest; whilst Melbourne City customarily dominated possession, they created few clear-cut chances. Newcastle were competitive and looked to carve out opportunities on the counter-attack. Lauren Allen couldn’t quite control her shot after getting on the end of a nicely-shaped Murphy Agnew cross, and Cass Davis had their best chance of the game; her fierce strike palmed onto the post by City keeper Sally James.

Things changed however midway through the first period. City boss Dario Vidosic had initially deployed striker Wilkinson out on the left wing to begin the game, a curious decision given her lack of pace and difficulty beating players with the ball on the ground.

A switch in positions with McNamara paid almost immediate dividends, with the opening goal coming in the 25th minute. A Pollicina through ball found McNamara in stride as she burst towards the byline. Her centering ball back to Pollicina saw the midfielder strike the post with her effort, but Rojas was on hand to put home the rebound from close range.

McNamara went on to provide a huge reminder of the talent the league saw from her before her extended absence last season. Her touch-tight control, speed, and one-on-one ability were all on display out on the wing as she took advantage of the undermanned Jets defence. Her dribbling allowed her to create consecutive chances from dangerous crosses for Henry, Pollicina again, and Wilkinson, whilst she had two first-half shots herself saved by Jets keeper Georgina Worth.

City midfielder McKenna had a rasping effort palmed away by Worth in injury time of the opening period; the Newcastle goalie produced a valiant performance in an ultimately lost cause on the day. Melbourne City racked up 12 shots in the first half alone and showed glimpses of some of their early season, free-flowing offensive form.

McNamara picked up in the second half where she left off, latching onto another Pollicina pass; her run beyond the defence forcing Worth into a breakaway stop. However, with the Jets resorting to physicality in an attempt to slow her down, and her minutes being managed in her first game returning from injury, McNamara’s impressive showing ended at the 60-minute mark, as she was substituted for Chelsea Blissett. City though, kept the pressure on, with Pollicina and Henry calling Worth into further saves, as the Melbournians sought the comfort of a two-goal lead.

Newcastle rarely threatened to find an equaliser, an Agnew drive straight at James the closest they came. A second did eventually come for City, followed just three minutes later by a third. Kaitlyn Torpey’s curled cross landed at the feet of Wilkinson, who laid off to Pollicina to finish well, before Henry connected with Blissett between the lines, and fired low into the bottom corner. Wilkinson wrapped up the scoring in the 94th minute, on hand to follow up another Pollicina long range strike which smacked the crossbar.

With the win, City continue to keep pace with the top of the league and move into second place (though Sydney FC, in third, play tomorrow). They will hope McNamara and Rojas continue to re-energise the squad heading into the four remaining matches before the Finals. Newcastle meanwhile, suffers their seventh loss in eight games and will have a challenge on their hands to stave off the wooden spoon whilst playing out the string of their season.

Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Worth; Clough, Allen, Puxty, Walandouw; Johnson, Davis, Agnew; Allan, Brodigan, Gooch. Substitutes: Coelho (GK), Roach, Andrews, Morley, Morley, Pountney.

MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): James; Torpey, Checker, Bowen, Grosso; McKenna, Pollicina; Henry, Rojas, McNamara, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Varley (GK), Accardo, Blissett, Malone.

Scorers: Rojas 25’, Pollicina 79’, Henry 81’, Wilkinson 90+4’.

Referee: Kelly Jones.

Attendance: 940.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Heyman hat-trick overcomes resurgent Reds

Canberra United 4-2 Adelaide United

By Ryan Miller-Woods (4/3/23)

Above: Michelle Heyman (left) and Laura Hughes for Canberra United. Photo: @CanberraUnited twitter

Canberra United are really mounting a serious late-season charge for the Finals with a 4-2 victory against Adelaide United at McKellar Park.

Michelle Heyman continued her superb run of scoring following last week’s brace with a hat-trick today. Canberra’s other goal came from Grace Maher. The visitors had Katie Bowler and Maruschka Waldus on the scoresheet.

Canberra went ahead in the third minute when Grace Maher converted into the bottom left-hand corner.

The home side doubled their advantage when Maher’s long-range pass found Nicki Flannery outside the box who crossed the ball to Vesna Milivojevic. Her shot in the box slightly deflected off Waldus and into the path of a charging Michelle Heyman who directed it into the back of the net.

Nanako Sasaki had a decent chance of scoring for Adelaide but was not able to capitalize on the opportunity after the offside flag was raised.

Adelaide responded through Katie Bowler who scored with her first-time shot going over Keeley Richards and into the bottom left corner in the 20th minute.

Grace Jale started the move that resulted in Canberra’s third. Flannery’s cross from the edge of the box found Heyman who directed a charging header into the bottom left corner in the 30th minute for Heyman’s second within a 20 minute spell.

The scoring spree was not finished yet as within two minutes, Nanako Sasaki’s free kick found Waldus in the box who headed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Sasaki’s creativity continued in the second half. She launched a great pass to Hayward who flicked the ball into the air and then soon after had a shot towards goal that went over the bar in the 56th minute.

There was a coming together between Hannah Holgerson and Richards in the box in the 70th minute which brought a delay to the proceedings. Unfortunately, new signing Holgerson was visibly in tears after being helped to her feet on the pitch before being substituted off in the 72nd minute for Zoe Tolland.

A Canberra goal kick launched the next major opportunity with possession finally working its way to Flannery who was gifted a very good opportunity towards goal in the 73rd minute as her shot just sailed over the bar.

Jale provided an amazing through ball which found Heyman who ran onto the ball and into the box with her shot going past Grove into the bottom left corner to double Canberra’s advantage in the 76th minute.

For Heyman, her third goal of the match and her first hat trick this season brought her total amount of goals for the season to 12 and the competition had a new Golden Boot leader.

Adelaide came agonisingly close to grabbing a late consolation in the 88th minute as a cross by Isabel Hodgson found Dylan Holmes in the box whose header trickled towards the left post.

This victory for Canberra against Adelaide marks their fourth win in a row and most importantly for them, they are now tied on points with Melbourne Victory.

Adelaide showed glimmers of hope, but tt doesn’t get any easier for them. They are home to Perth Glory next round. Whilst Adelaide won the encounter between the two sides at the start of the campaign, both teams are in a very different place now.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (3-4-3): Richards, Murray, Ilijoski, Hughes, Maher, Jale, Taylor-Young, Faulknor, Milivojevic, Flannery, Heyman. Substitutes: Segavic, Taranto, Wu, Middleton Gett.

Scorers: Maher 4’, Heyman 11’, 30’, 76’.

ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, E. Hodgson, McCormick, Waldus, Hayward, Holmes, Sasaki, Westland, Barbieri, Bowler, I. Hodgson. Substitutes: Farrow, Holgersen, Kontoutsikos, Tolland, Worts.

Scorers: Bowler 20’, Waldus 32’

Referee: Isabella Libri

Attendance: 1,003.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Site.

A-League Women Friday Media Conferences

by Ben Gilby (3/3/23)

ADELAIDE UNITED

It will be a much-changed Adelaide United squad that travels to Canberra this weekend in a bid to end their winless streak.

With the South Australian side currently on a run of eight games without a win, scoring just four goals in the process (with a tally of only nine for the whole season), it is not going to get any easier.

This week the club lost striker Chelsie Dawber who was recalled by her NWSL side Chicago Red Stars and immediately loaned out to Damallsvenskan outfit IFK Norrköping who are about to start their new season. She told the Swedish team’s media officer about the move:

Also missing will be Dawber’s fellow attacker Emilia Murray who is on Young Matildas duty with teammate Grace Wilson. Sasha Coorey is still out with a knee injury. In a bid to plug the gaps, Adelaide United have added Hannah Holgersen and Erin Kontoutsikos to its squad on short-term contracts. Both players have been added to the extended squad for the trip to the national capital.

Holgersen is a 25-year-old Danish striker who has made 10 appearances for Aarhus GF in the top tier of the sport in Denmark. Kontoutsikos is a product of the Football SA NTC side.

Above: Dylan Holmes in training this week ahead of Adelaide United’s trip to Canberra. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.

Adelaide United’s Dylan Holmes has backed her side to build on their efforts at Melbourne Victory last weekend when they look to record their first win of 2023 at Canberra United tomorrow.

Speaking to the media today, Holmes reflected on that match last week: “Overall it was definitely a frustrating result, but there are a lot of positives that we can take out of the game, leading after going behind. We have had problems scoring this season, so that was a good thing.

“We showed some great resilience. Conceding a goal early is hard to take, but we bounced back. It feels like every goal against us is a freak one. Annie (Annalee Grove) is having a great season for us, and anyone who knows how much work she put in during pre-season won’t be surprised to see how she is doing. She has stood up at key moments for us.”

Asked about Adelaide United’s poor current run of results, Holmes said: “Through the course of the season, in games we have lost, we have been competitive and mixing it with the best. It’s been us not taking chances and the other team taking their chances.”

In tandem with losing two of their key attacking players for the trip to Canberra, Holmes and her team mates also face a home side who are in superb form.

“Canberra are a great side. In the last few weeks, they have hit good form and are scoring a lot of goals. Canberra is always a tough place to go and play. It should be a really good game. It is a must-win for both teams.”

Whilst the Reds are currently doing it tough, the midfielder believes the number of youngsters being blooded this season means better times are ahead in South Australia.

“Since January we have been struggling a bit. The great thing is we have some really young South Australian girls who will hopefully be around for the coming years, so the future looks bright. At the current time, results are not going our way, so some of the older ones can try and help develop the younger ones so we are even stronger next year.”

NEWCASTLE JETS

Above: Emily Roach speaking to the media this week. Image: Newcastle Jets.

On-loan Newcastle Jets midfielder Emily Roach has told the media this week that she is looking to combine playing minutes with a successful end to the season with Gary van Egmond’s side, despite a tough baptism on her debut.

Roach was part of the Jets side that went down 6-0 to league leaders Western United at home last weekend. She has mixed emotions about the afternoon, saying: “It was a tough one, but great to get out on the field in front of all the fans. That was awesome, (but) we need to be a lot better than last weekend.

“I prefer playing in the midfield, I played at nine (against Western United), but it was great to be out there. I think I did alright. Western United are a really, really good team, so it was tough to get the ball.”

The midfielder, a Queensland native moved to Canberra United for this season but found it a challenge to break into their starting line-up. “Canberra United’s squad is so unreal, there is so much talent,” Roach said. “I just want to get some game time, so I’m here for the last six games of the season.”

Despite a tough period for the Jets, their new signing sees a real desire within the squad to put things right and move away from the wooden spoon battle.

“Everyone is so positive still. The girls are not the kind to jump on each other after a loss. We’re still working hard in training every day to make sure we don’t get another result like that.”

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

A-League Women Thursday Media Conferences

2/3/23

MELBOURNE CITY:

by Jonathan Tay

Above: Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic directs training. Photo: Melbourne City.

“The Mac is back.” That was Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic’s triumphant announcement of young starlet Holly McNamara’s return to his squad ahead of their weekend clash with the Newcastle Jets.

Having torn her ACL in February last year, McNamara has gone through plenty of hard work to get to this point, having just tipped past the 12-month mark.

“She’ll be ready for Newcastle,” Vidosic said. “I know what it’s like, and I know what she’ll probably be feeling after such a long time away and it’s now building up. Not just us but the whole league, everyone’s really excited. It’s never nice to see anyone out; when you’re on the sidelines and you’re watching especially for an extended period of time. The work she’s put in to get to this point, we’re all really anticipating and looking forward to watching her play.

“I don’t want to give away too much – just in case anyone’s listening – but she’s capable, pretty much the green light; we’ll talk again today to the medical team and decide. We’ve still got today’s session and tomorrow’s session and we’ll just see how everyone feels, and tactically how we’ll go into that game.”

After an extended break, with the international period immediately followed by their bye week, the City boss provided an update on current absentees within the squad. Vidosic also touched on another returnee, Maria Rojas, who unfortunately comes back to Melbourne after an unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign with Chile.

“We’re hoping to have Naomi (Chinnama) back in a couple games,” Vidosic stated. “Bubs (Melissa Barbieri) is not long after that and Karly (Roestbakken) we’ll have to see; she’s a day-to-day prospect. We’ve got Dani (Galic) away with the under-20s [Matildas], and we wish her a successful trip. We’re excited to have Cote (Maria Rojas) back as well; she’s rejoined us and is ready for this weekend. It’s exciting when everyone’s back together.

“We were Chile’s number one supporter for that game; we were all glued to the screens, and I think she made a great impact when she came on and scored. They were a little bit unlucky with the ball off the crossbar three times, but it’s hard when it’s that one game – like a grand final – to qualify for the biggest prize, to go to a World Cup. So we gave her a couple days off, mentally just to refresh. She was excited to be back and she can’t wait to get back on the pitch and show her qualities as arguably the best player in the league when she left to go with the national team.

“It’s a good headache to have, I haven’t had the chance to choose from a 100% fit squad all season – it’s a part of football unfortunately. It’s good to have people coming back where we’ve got options; it just comes down to how individuals have trained and what our tactical approach is for the weekend.”

Above: Dario Vidosic makes a point to his squad in training. Photo: Melbourne City.

City are looking to bounce back after suffering consecutive defeats before the international window to Sydney FC and Western United. With just five games remaining, they have a task on their hands to close the eight-point gap to the top of the ladder (with one game in hand). They take on a Newcastle Jets side who are in the midst of another dismal season, having lost six of their last seven, including a 6-0 thrashing last weekend also against Western United.

“I just want to win, I want 15 points, we want to win every game from here until the end,” Vidosic affirmed. “If we don’t, we don’t, sometimes football can be against you. We’ve been in games this season where we’ve been the dominant team and haven’t picked up the three points. But in terms of the progress we’ve made, in terms of collective and individually it’s something we can be proud of.

“We’ll go out (with the) same mentality, we don’t just want to make the top four; from day one ours has been to win. We know now there’s less games, and it’s starting to get to the exciting part of the season where all the trophies are there to be played for. So for these last five games, we’ll continue to be us.

“They’ll (Newcastle) come out hungry. They were very unfortunate, they had a send-off very early in the game at one-nil; they needed a result so they couldn’t really sit back and defend. On Saturday it’s going to be a completely different game; we know their strengths, we know they’ve got dangerous players and they’ll want to bounce back after a six-nil – no one likes losing.

“Sometimes it’s not your day, where you try something and it doesn’t work. Every team has quality players and on any given day you can be beaten if you don’t turn up or give your best efforts.”

Newcastle Jets host Melbourne City at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday with a 3pm local time kick-off.

PERTH GLORY:

by Ben Gilby

Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. Photo: Perth Glory.

Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis told the media today that if his team wants to play Finals, they need to concentrate on their own progress rather than that of Melbourne Victory who they are looking to chase down to make fourth place.

With the defending champions dropping points in recent weeks, Perth know that if they can keep winning, they will go ahead of Victory once they play their game in hand.

“It’s hard to ignore (the fact that Victory are dropping points) because the players watch the games, we watch the games as staff as you want to know what’s happening. What we have to do is to continue to be us and focus on ourselves individually and as a collective. If we worry about what next door are doing, our own grass will get too long.”

With four successive wins and five games undefeated, there’s not a lot of worrying going on at present at the club’s Fremantle Oval base, with Epakis revealing: “The players are happy, the staff are happy, but we’re all committed, and focussed.

“Everything we are doing on the training field – the preparation and effort going on during the week is getting us points on the weekend, but we’re also fixated on the next game and the one after that.

“The key message now is we can’t change what we are doing and must keep going in our mindset whether it’s in our hands or not. Knowing that’s there in the background is nice, but we won’t shift anything in what we’ve done.

“We tweak things, but we’re not training in a different way, just keeping momentum. It’s just making sure the players are physically and mentally ready. We have six games this month and the big road trip. Where possible we need to freshen.”

Above: Hana Lowry is congratulated by proud captain Tash Rigby in Perth Glory’s most recent win against Brisbane Roar. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

Perth Glory’s most recent victory was last Saturday’s 2-0 success at home to Brisbane Roar, with home-town hero Hana Lowry scoring high-quality individual goals. Whilst those strikes put the locally produced star in the headlines, the purple’s boss highlighted her regular workload that often goes under the radar.

“Hana is a perfectionist. She tries unbelievably hard at every aspect of her game. She will be striving to be better this weekend. A lot of the things she does do not always result in goals. There are assists, there is killer passing, there are a lot of elements in her game she is doing well at right now. She is very level-headed and grounded.”

This Sunday sees the Glory at home once again and going all out to extend the fortress- like record that they currently have at their Macedonia Park home in Balcatta which has seen Epakis’ side keep three consecutive clean sheets, scoring eight goals in the process.

Their opponents Western Sydney Wanderers have banished fears of the wooden spoon since the arrival of Sarina Bolden gave Kat Smith’s side a focal point up front to provide a link with their strong approach work. The Perth boss sees Wanderers as a potential banana skin.

“Where they are right now, they probably want to finish the season as high as they can and build for next season. They have the players that, if we’re not focussed, they will hurt us. That has been a really key message. We can’t take anyone for granted. They have players in transition who can cause problems with their speed and impact.”

Perth Glory host Western Sydney Wanderers at Macedonia Park on Sunday with a 4pm local time kick-off.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Chelsie Dawber & Emilia Murray: the future is from Adelaide

In this week’s Midweek Dub feature, Kieran Yap spoke exclusively to Adelaide United attackers Emilia Murray and Chelsie Dawber (1/3/23).

Above: Emilia Murray celebrates her Round One goal. Image via Keep Up.

Adelaide United fans are no strangers to having quality strikers at the club. Michelle Heyman, Mary Fowler, and last season’s Julie Dolan medallist Fiona Worts are some of the names to have led the line for the Reds.

Two more names have now been added to that illustrious list. Chelsie Dawber and Emilia Murray are two of Australia’s most promising forwards. Both are South Australians playing for the club they grew up as fans of.

Dawber enjoyed a career-best season in 2021/22. Her 10 goals were the result of consistent, and often spectacular play. She has a powerful and precise right foot that is capable of defence-splitting passes or thunderous strikes. Her form earned her a contract in the NWSL with Sam Kerr’s former side, Chicago Red Stars.

Murray is one of the brightest prospects in Australian Football. The 18-year-old is lightning quick and as courageous as she is creative. She has become a fixture in Young Matildas squads and has broken through to be a regular in Adelaide United’s first team this year.

In Round one, the pair of local stars combined to score a dramatic winner over Sydney FC.

“I knew we needed to get a goal,” recalls Dawber of the moment.

“It’s something that I do quite often that goes a bit unnoticed, my long balls and switches of play. I looked up and saw that she was there. I always knew that Millsy’s (Murray) always making that run in behind. Even if she doesn’t get the ball, she’s always going to be there.

“I looked up and hit it, she was in the right position, it was a deserved first goal in the A-League Women.”

It is hard to do the goal justice in words. Dawber’s pass was from almost halfway. The ball sailed to the perfect position between Murray’s run to the edge of the box and the onrushing Jada Whyman. It was late in the game with no room for error, and a spectacular winner from the leaping Murray.

“I was on the bench, then I got subbed on and I think I was on for about 10 minutes or so,” says Murray of her breakout moment. 

“I knew that I just had to make as much impact as I could.  Chelsie and I have a great connection on the pitch. I saw her, she had space and I just put my hand up and she put a beautiful ball into me and I just went for it.

“I don’t always do headers, it was definitely a first, then I saw it go into the net and I was in shock. In my peripheral vision, I could see her coming but I went for it. I knew I had the players around me, but I leapt up and got whatever I could onto it.

“I was genuinely in so much shock as you could probably see in some of the photos.”

Murray has been in the Adelaide squad for a number of years, both as a train on and senior player. But this is the first campaign she is featuring regularly on game day. It has required a slight change in position, although its paid dividends in Round one.

“Back in NTC and NPL, I used to switch out between wing and number nine, so it was familiar with me. I do love the wing because I can run all day and I can go up and down the line. It’s a different mindset playing in nine but I do love it.

“In NPL I find myself in so many different spaces and get played every through ball, but obviously it’s a lot harder in the A-League Women. I love the challenge and it’s so good being up against amazing centre-backs.”

While Murray is enjoying the beginning of her career, Dawber is operating at the peak of her still-young career. She is now one of the more experienced attackers in the Adelaide squad. To the halfway point of the season, she had an involvement or assist in every single Reds goal except one.

At age 23, she is already a barometer for the team. A player fans can look to for impact in the big moments and opposition supporters are beginning to fear.

“I’ve always been the younger one in teams that I’ve played in,” says Dawber. “I don’t think it changes too much for me in the way that I play, but as a leader I try and help the likes of Milsy (Emilia Murray) and the younger players that come on, and try and pass on the knowledge that I’ve learned.

“I love Milsy, she’s a great girl. She’s always willing to work hard and learn from other people. She’s what I want in a teammate, someone who is going to make that run or is going to make that pass for you to score, or the next person to score.

“I think she’s going to be a great player, just with a bit more experience and knowledge, she’s been awesome to play with so far.”

Starring in the Green and Gold

Dawber and Murray both represented Australia in the past year. Their experiences were vastly different, but both impressed in the Green and Gold.

Dawber was selected to be part of Australia’s first Under 23’s Women’s side to compete in the AFF Championships in Manilla in 2022.

Travel chaos meant that her tournament did not go to plan early.

“My trip started off a bit later than everyone else,” she recalls. “It took about three days to get from America to the Philippines. My flight was delayed from Chicago to LA, then I missed my flight from LA to the Philippines.

Dawber missed the first few training sessions, where tactics were bedded down. However, with Australia trailing to the host nation, she was given a chance to find an equaliser. The match ended in a 1-0 defeat, and things would only get harder before they got better.

“I was struck with food poisoning. Mackenzie Hawkesby and I, we both ended up going to hospital in the Philippines. I spent about four or five days in the hospital, then came out and played the last game of the tournament. I scored two goals in the first 20 minutes and was playing quite well, then I had no energy left because I hadn’t eaten in five days.

“As terrible as that experience was I was grateful that I was able to play in some games and stick my foot in the door for the national team squads. It was very cool to play with lots of girls I’ve never played with before. It was also good to get to know those girls and the coaching staff of the Matildas as well.”

Although they did not progress beyond the group stages, Australia’s Under 23’s played some stunning football. One of Dawber’s strikes was a contender for goal of the tournament.

“I knew we had to score lots of goals that game just to get through the tournament, so I thought I’d back myself and see what happens,” she said of the moment.

The well-worked move ended with Sarah Hunter’s lofted pass finding Dawber behind the Malaysian defence. She controlled it with one touch but was tucked against the byline. With the defenders (and teammates) expecting a cross, Dawber snuck the ball in at the near post with a ridiculous finish. In a 6-0 win, it was just one sign of the bright future of Australia’s national teams.

Murray is also a part of that future. The prodigious attacker has wanted to be a professional footballer as long as she can recall.  

“Since I was born I’ve always been involved in soccer. I have three older siblings, they always played. I was born in the country, and they were always involved in soccer. I was always going to games and watching.

“I probably started when I was about three or four years old. I mostly played with boys and the older girls, because we didn’t have enough for a young team.

“I did that for a couple of years, then we moved to Adelaide, and I got into the state program. I’ve been in that for a very long time, and that’s helped me a lot with my development.

“I always knew I wanted to get as far as I could in soccer, its always been my number one passion.”

In November of 2022, Murray was called up to the Young Matildas squad to host the Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament in Canberra.

She joined current A-League Women’s stars Sasha Grove, Shay Hollman, and Claudia Cicco in the side that won the cup. Murray was named captain of the national team. It was a moment that took her completely by surprise.

“It was during the end of the year and I had my year 12 exams. I had to do one of my maths exams over at camp. I was just about to go into the room to do my camp supervised exam, and Leah (Blayney) came up and said ‘you’re going to be captain for this tournament’, and she gave me a hug and I was in shock.

“That whole time sitting in the exam I was like ‘oh my god, I’m captain.’

“So much happened that week. It was like a big dream. It was my birthday (during) and we ended up going to Parliament House and having two other countries sing happy birthday to me in their own language and in the way they do it back at home.”

Murray was once again selected to represent Australia for the Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers. She will form part of a frightening Young Matildas attack alongside other A-League Women stars as Sasha Grove, and Daniela Galic.

Beating challenges and pushing forward

Following the end of her loan back home at Adelaide United, Dawber will likely return to Chicago for the NWSL season. It has been a challenging environment for her, but one that she says was beneficial.

“It was definitely hard being away from home,” she said. But I think that allowed me to grow as a person on and off the pitch, things like living on my own, developing as a person, and having to do things that I’m probably fortunate that my parents do for me at home.

“I was fortunate enough to play with some national team players like Mal Pugh and Alyssa Naeher, and training with them each day.

“The highest quality over there is probably better, but overall, both the A-League and NWSL are good leagues to play in and have strengths of their own.”

Dawber is ready to prove herself in the United States, and make a push for World Cup selection, and keep herself on the radar of national team selectors.

Murray is still establishing herself in the A-League Women, but already looks comfortable at the top level and Reds fans will hope the homegrown heroes can continue linking up for years to come.

Neither player are strangers to setbacks, but are determined and talented.

“I think having the faith of sticking to it and working hard (is important),” says Murray.

“You will get dropped or benched but keep going because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Now I’m starting I have to take that with humility and keep going, never stop.”

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

A-League Women Wednesday Media Conferences & News

1/3/23

CANBERRA UNITED

by Ben Gilby

Above: Emma Ilijoski who highlighted the importance of belief in the potential of the team in Canberra United’s recent winning run. Image: Canberra United.

Canberra United’s Emma Ilijoski believes that hard work and belief in their ability has been key in the team following two successive 5-0 defeats with three wins on the bounce.

Speaking to the media, Ilijoski said: “It feels really good to be getting these results. Everyone is so buzzy in training after getting the job done and we want to keep it going. As a team, we knew we were better than our results, and we can see our training come off on the field and it’s going to be a really good end to the season now.”

The impact of that superb run of results has been translated into additional pep in their attacking play, as the capital city side player identified: “We feel really relaxed, and I think we saw that at the weekend (against Western Sydney Wanderers), we looked really confident on the ball.”

Above: Canberra United’s Kennedy Faulknor speaking to the media today. Image: Canberra United.

Canberra United’s Kennedy Faulknor is hugely proud of her team’s response to adversity as they look to extend their winning run against Adelaide United this weekend.

“I think it’s been an amazing couple of weeks. After those two (5-0 defeats), we came together as a team and we’re just hoping to keep it going moving forward,” said the Canadian-born player when she spoke to the media today.

“There is a lot of confidence, and you can really see that with the way we are on the ball and how we are moving it around. Every game we have is a crucial game, and I think we’re ready for the challenge. We’re here, and we’re ready to make it into the top four.”

Whilst Canberra’s opponents on Saturday, Adelaide United are on a long winless run, the centre-back believes that the South Australians will pose her side a stern test.

“I know they are a good team and they will come for us. We will be ready for them, we know how to play them and what to look for. We’re up for the challenge.”

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

by Ben Gilby

Above: Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Brianna Edwards reflects on an incredible season today. Image: Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Brianna Edwards reflected on what has been a season full of firsts when she spoke to the media today.

Lily Alfeld’s injury before the campaign started meant that the 20-year-old has started every game for the Phoenix this season and received successive call-ups to New Zealand’s last two international camps.

“It’s been huge. I never expected to be in this position so early in my career, and this year as well, especially heading into a World Cup. The environment is incredible and the people are incredible. The first camp was easier than the second. I went into the first having no idea what I was going into and just took it as it came.

“The second camp, I knew what was expected of me and I was nervous because I have high expectations of myself and I want to meet those expectations. The coaches were happy with how I performed. They said I was tracking well and I’m good at pushing the players around me.”

If international call-ups and regular game time were not enough, Edwards was also handed the captain’s armband for the Phoenix recently after Chloe Knott left the pitch.

“Chloe gave it to me and I said ‘I don’t want this!’ but Chloe said that I do, and Wis (Grace Wisnewski) put it on my arm and I was, like, ‘it is what it is’, but I think I’m a leader in the team without an armband, it comes naturally for me. It was pretty incredible.”

Whilst Edwards might be small in stature, she more than makes up for it with her command of the penalty area and her defenders.

“I always say I’m not physically the biggest or the tallest, but I have a huge amount of communication and leadership from the back, and that counts as much, or even more so than being physical. I’m probably the loudest on the field. We are open and honest with each other.”

With the regular season moving into its final month or so, the Phoenix shot-stopper believes that her team can build on recent promising performances to finish the campaign strongly.

“We’ve grown as a team and I’ve had to step into some huge shoes that I didn’t think I would this year. It has been a huge learning curve. We’ve narrowed down the losses to 1-0s, and there is so much more to come from this team.

“After that game against Sydney, one of the best sides in the league, we have so much to prove now and achieve. We have six games left and I’m hoping for six wins.”

Above: Michaela Robertson speaking to the media today. Image: Wellington Phoenix.

Michaela Robertson believes that coming into A-League Women football from playing and training with boys has stood her in good stead.

In her media conference today, the 26-year-old said: “I came in with not a lot of expectations or knowing about the level of football I was up against,

“I was training and playing with boys, and the physicality is similar here. The boys are pretty fast too, and I’ve had to keep up with some pretty fast players here as well! It’s been a good transition for me.”

Robertson has grown into the Phoenix team this season, and is positive that the best is yet to come from the side – as they look to end the campaign as strongly as they did last time round.

“We have had some close games. We’ve talked about wins coming, and we had one against Canberra, and there is still time yet to turn things around. We’ve been unlucky a few times with some 1-0 losses, but we will be working and trying to get some points in the bag.

“We’re pushing, still trying to climb off the bottom. The motivation is there and we’re working hard.

WESTERN UNITED

Above: New Western United signing Tiana Jaber, pictured during her time with Newcastle Jets. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

Western United has added strength in depth to its defence with the signing of Tiana Jaber on an injury replacement deal following Aimee Medwin’s anterior cruciate ligament injury last week.

The 22-year-old full-back, formerly of Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers, Jaber brings ready-made Liberty A-League experience with a desire to make an impact at the top level again.

Upon arriving in the West, Jaber said she is eager to get to work with the league leaders and hopes to showcase her ability in the professional league once more.

“I’m so excited and grateful to be a part of the A-League again. I can’t wait to start working hard and keep doing what I love. I’m very motivated and honoured to be a part of this impressive squad. It’s every player’s dream to win trophies, so this chance is incredible and I will give it everything I have.”

Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso said Jaber’s availability was the perfect solution for United and that he is confident she will fit seamlessly into the team.

“Tiana being available and ready to sign is perfect for us and I’m excited to see her join the group going forward. We are extremely confident in Tiana’s ability, her ready-made experience at this level and the strengths that she has that can complement our team.

“She has great versatility, is physically imposing, and has quality on the ball as well. I’m looking forward to having her give us a boost for the remainder of the season.”

Jaber was a constant figure in Newcastle’s team last season, playing 12 times and even scoring the club’s goal of the season with a long-range stunner against the Wanderers, a club she debuted for as a teenager in the 2019/20 season.

She has since been in pre-season training with Bankstown City in NPLW New South Wales and has set herself up for another opportunity at Liberty A-League level.

Jaber joins the squad immediately and will hope to put herself in contention for United’s huge top-of-the-table clash with Sydney FC at the weekend.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.