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Melbourne’s Victory Seals Grand Final Spot

Brisbane Roar 2-6 Melbourne Victory

By Kieran Yap

**Above:** Lisa De Vanna shows her delight after scoring her first goal of the Semi-Final for Melbourne Victory. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague

In wet conditions, facing their third opponent in a week and coming off a disappointing defeat to Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory travelled to face Brisbane Roar, the side that had previously embarrassed them 6-0 earlier in the season.

The Semi Final offered Victory a chance for redemption after narrowly losing the premiers to Sydney FC while Brisbane had enjoyed strong form leading into the finals but were without leading scorer Emily Gielnik and captain Clare Polkinghorne. Larissa Crummer made her first start for the Roar to lead the line for the side that had started the year as one of the favorites.

Victory showed no signs of fatigue, pressing aggressively from the first whistle and earning early corners to test the home side’s defense but it was the Roar who had the first meaningful strike on goal.

The busy Mariel Hecher crossed the ball in low from the left and Tameka Yallop met it at full pace, crashing a shot off the crossbar where it bounced behind Gabby Garton in the Victory Goal. She celebrated, convinced the entire ball had crossed the entire line but there was no whistle, play continued and replays were inconclusive.

In response Victory went on the attack, Kyra Cooney-Cross sent in a perfect ball from the right and found Melina Ayres in space in front of goal, she was unable to get a clean shot away and although Catherine Zimmerman came to help bundle the ball home, Georgina Worth was able to scramble to save.

Victory’s next attack was much more clinical, Melina Ayres turned her defender and flicked a pass with the outside of her foot to Lisa De Vanna who took a touch and rifled home off her left. She had been involved in most of the attacks from the kickoff and seemed determined to impact the game. It was a well-worked move by Victory and an in-form Lisa De Vanna spelt trouble for Brisbane.

**Above:** The master at work. Lisa De Vanna celebrates one of her goals against Brisbane Roar. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague.

Brisbane worked their way back into the game with Mariel Hecher in particular menacing the Melbourne defense, popping up dangerously on both flanks. When the equalizer came it was spectacular and unstoppable, Jamilla Rankin played the ball square to Olivia Chance almost 30 yards from goal. Chance unleashed a rocket of a strike that dipped just over Garton and under the bar to delight and shock the home crowd.

The scores weren’t level for long, Melbourne went straight onto the attack, Kyra Cooney-Cross cruised with the ball around the penalty box, waiting for an opportunity. She slid a pass wide to Catherine Zimmerman who, like De Vanna before her, took a touch and scored off her left from an almost identical position. Victory went in to the break 2-1 up, perhaps lucky to be so but looking dangerous.

Whatever plans Brisbane had were undone early in the second half. Just two minutes in, De Vanna found herself in space on the left and tore towards goal, she drew three defenders to her but got away a shot that Worth could only palm away into the path of Melina Ayres. The young striker was on the spot to finish and give Victory a two goal cushion.

As if aggrieved that she hadn’t scored a second, De Vanna continued to menace The Roar. On the 67^th minute she robbed Tameka Yallop of the ball and danced her way into the penalty area, shifting feet and shimmying to create space to shoot. She send the ball past Worth at the near post with an incredible strike, full of power and direction, rocketing into the top corner. Even her captain Angie Beard looked stunned by the goal it was vintage De Vanna.

Despite the deteriorating score line Brisbane kept pushing, Hecher sent a bullet-like cross into toward Crummer but the excellent Claudia Bunge managed to flick it away, and Yallop pulled one back after another brilliant effort by Chance was tipped onto the bar by Garton. The Matildas midfielder made no mistake this time, forcing the ball over after reaching the rebound. Brisbane had a lifeline.

As the game edged towards 90 minutes there was still time for more drama, after a goalmouth scramble Victory were awarded a mysterious penalty. Even with the benefit of replay it was unclear what it was for. The Brisbane coach Jake Goodship was furious but in any event the penalty was missed after Ayres was forced to re-take it after shooting before the whistle.

**Above:** Melbourne Victory celebrate Lisa De Vanna’s second. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague.

Up the other end, Brisbane again looked to have scored after Hecher met a low cross and finished well but was judged to have been offside and Yallop whipped in a cross that Crummer directed wide and high after an open header.

The game seemed to increase in pace as it neared the end and Victory’s attack remained hungry, Kyra Cooney-Cross flicked a header wide to Polly Doran who shot low and hard from the right. Worth was able to save it but once again Ayres was first to the ball and she finished emphatically to net her second.

Not content to rest on their lead Victory had one more left in them. Amy Jackson recovered the ball in the attacking third and played it to Ayres feet just inside the box. Ayres steadied and curled a well placed strike around the defenders and the goalkeeper to get her hat-trick and score Victory’s sixth of the Semi Final.

The game ended 6-2, Victory are into the Grand Final and the loss to Sydney looks to be a hiccup at this point rather than a reversal of form. They are at full strength boasting a hard working and creative midfield, a dangerous attack and a back four that have been consistent in both performance and personnel.

Brisbane might be disappointed with how their season has ended but they provided the competition with some great highlights and performances this year. They were unfortunate that the side-effect of their success was to be without their best defender and best striker for the Finals, but that is the sad reality until the W-League becomes a full time professional competition.

**Above:** Melbourne Victory’s hat-trick hero Melina Ayres. **Photo:** @VictoryVikings

It was an entertaining, at times stressful evening of football that proved that even in the late stages of the competition it is still a league capable of incredible surprises, chaotic fun and exquisite skill.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR: Worth, Torpey, Rankin, Heatley, Carroll, Dalton, Hecher, Chance, Franco, Crummer, Yallop. Substitutes: Aquino (GK), McQueen, Horsey, Margraf, Freier.

Scorers: Chance 43, Yallop 74.

MELBOURNE VICTORY: Garton, Doran, Beard, Bunge, Morrison, Cooney-Cross, Longo, Jackson, Zimmerman, Ayres, De Vanna. Substitutes: Maizels (GK), Barbieri, Martineau, Privitelli, Eliadis.

Scorers: De Vanna 23, 61. Zimmerman 45. Ayres 47, 87, 90+6.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 1,985.

Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.

The Swedish Scene

@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the goings on in the Swedish women’s game. There’s news of the latest Swedish national squad announcement, Swedish Cup news ahead of this weekend’s semi-finals, pre-season friendly action and all the final goings on before the transfer window closed.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

**Above:** Caroline Seger in action for FC Rosengård against Bayern Munich **Photo:** @FCRosengard

FC Rosengård suffered a 1-0 loss at home in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final tie to Bayern Munich. Lea Schüller scored the only goal after 21 minutes. The Swedes bowed out 4-0 on aggregate.

NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:

Sweden face matches against USA and Poland on 10 and 13 April respectively. Head coach Peter Gerhardsson has named a 25 player squad with the stand out inclusion being the return to the squad of Madelen Janogy.

SWEDISH CUP NEWS:

Group A:

BK Häcken clinched their place in the semi-finals of the competition by comprehensively defeating Linköping 5-2 in the group decider. Häcken’s goalscorers were Zigiotti-Olme (2), Angeldahl (2), Blackstenius. Kanu and Selerud scored for Linköping. Lidkopings FK ended their cup program for this season with a 4-0 loss away to Växjö. Two goals from Woeller plus strikes from, Gotta and Holt Andersen were the difference.

**Above:** Celebrations for BK Häcken for making the Swedish Cup semi-finals. **Photo:** @bkhackenofcl

Group B:

FC Rosengård qualified for the semi-finals after a 3-3 with Kristianstad. Sanders, on her debut, plus Troelsgaard, Bennison did the business for the Champions League Quarter-Finalists who built a 3-0 lead after just half an hour. However, two goals from Åsland plus a strike from Rantala ensured a nervy finish. Alingsås FC United went down 1-0 away to Vittsjö GIK due to a goal from Nyström.

Group C:
Eskilstuna United DFF qualified for the semi-finals after drawing 1-1 against KIF Örebro DFF. Lundin’s goal was the ultimate decider for Eskilstuna, with Oskarsson on the mark for Örebro.. Hammarby’s campaign ended with a 7-1 crushing of Sundsvalls DFF. A hat-trick from Larsson (3) plus two from Jakobsson and a goal from Jansson earned the win. Janogy got a consolation for Sundsvall.

Group D:
Umeå IK FF gained a 3-2 win away to Djurgården in the group decider for the semi-final spot after coming from 2-1 down with five minutes left. Honkanen, Mellouk and Sandström scored for Umeå with Arnardottir and van den Bulk initially looking like having won it for Djurgården. IK Uppsala ended their cup campaign with a 4-0 away to Morön BK. Sarah Mellouk and Henna-Riikka Honkanen both scored from the spot in addition to goals from Pink Herreros Ossorio and Monica Jusu Bah.

Semi-Final Draw:

Umeå IK FF host Eskilstuna United today at 1pm local time with BK Häcken at home to Rosengård tomorrow with kick-off at 3:30pm local time.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:

**Above:** AIK celebrate a goal in their 3-1 friendly win against Bollstanäs. **Photo:** @AIKFotboll

AIK have won both matches they’ve played over the past week. Last weekend they defeated Bollstanäs 3-1 win. Goals by Evelina Finndell, Nora Rönnfors and Linda Hallin earned the Solna based side the win. They followed this up on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Kalmar from the second tier Elitettan. Adelisa Grabus and Honoka Hayashi scored the goals.

Örebro defeated Kristianstad 2-1 on Thursday. Hellstrom and Hoff Persson were on target for Örebro. Rantala scored from the penalty spot for Kristianstad.

In a game played at Sundavall yesterday, Djurgården drew 2-2 with Piteå. Linda Motlhalo and Daniela Zamora scored for Djurgården, with Josefin Johansson and an own goal for Piteå.

NEWS ROUND-UP:

**Above:** Elise Kellond-Knight in action for Hammarby in her previous spell with the club. **Photo:** Aftonbladet.

Hammarby have announced the signing of key Australian international defender Elise Kellond-Knight from Kristianstad. The 30 year-old previously played for the club in 2018 and has signed a three year deal with the Stockholm club. She suffered a serious knee injury early last season and has spent the last nine months in rehab.

Speaking to the club website about her move, Kellond-Knight said: “I am fortunate to once again have the opportunity to play for such a supportive and supported club.”

“I have noticed that Hammarby has integrated the women’s team more into the club and made many positive changes since I was last here. “If we play our cards right, there is no reason why Hammarby should not be able to become a leading club in Damallsvenskan during my time here. I want to be part of the process of helping Hammarby become a team fighting for the league title. As I’ve noticed before, we have the best supporters in the country, so I’d love to see it permeate the whole club.”

“I hope to be back on the pitch before the summer break, but of course that will be up to the staff and especially when the medically responsible decide. Right now I’m in a stage of custom training with the team. But it is not possible to speed up the recovery from an injury like this, and the timing of the comeback will depend on when my body is ready.”

**Above:** Evelina Duljan – an important signing for Växjö. **Photo:** SMP.

Växjö have pulled off the major signing of the hugely talented Evelina Duljan. Duljan joins the club on loan from Kristianstad on a loan until the summer break for the Olympic Games. Duljan has not been satisfied with the playing time she had got at Kristianstad.

Action From Big Blue Premiers Decider

Kris Goman’s EXCLUSIVE action shots from Cromer Park.

**Above:** Kyra Cooney-Cross (right) and Sydney FC captain Teresa Polias compete on the ground. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above:** Contrasting facial expressions. **Photo:** Kris Goman

**Above:** Melbourne Victory’s Natalie Martineau (left) and Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby with eyes on the prize. **Photo:** Kris Goman

**Above:** Down but not out – Sydney FC’s Ally Green. **Photo:** Kris Goman

**Above:** Claudia Bunge looks to play the ball forward. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above:** Princess Ibini surging forward at Cromer Park. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above:** Determination is etched on the faces as the ball is cleared. Photo: Kris Goman.

**Above:** Melbourne Victory’s starlet Kyra Cooney-Cross tussles with Princess Ibini. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above:** Kyra Cooney-Cross looks to tease her way through the Sydney defence. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above:** Sydney FC lift the Premiers Plate. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

**Above;** The joy is etched on the face of Sydney FC captain Teresa Polias as she holds the Premiers Plate. **Photo:** Kris Goman

Lisa Topping: The Big Return Is On!

Impetus is proud to sponsor Chorley Women’s Lisa Topping. Ahead of the much hoped for return to action, Ben Gilby spoke to Lisa about a difficult month at the club, which saw the sad passing of one of Chorley Women’s biggest supporters Momma D, who was a much loved figure around the club.

Lisa began our catch-up by letting us know how she’s doing at the moment. “I’m doing well and am keeping everything crossed that we are on the right track to get back to normality. Football is a massive outlet for me so I’m ready to get back with my team mates and play the game we all love.”

The club recently experienced the sad passing of ‘Momma D’. Lisa outlined why she was so special to everyone at Chorley Women.

“Momma D was an amazing, caring person who will be missed by everyone at Chorley. She dedicated so much of her time and energy in to the club, along with her husband Geoff and daughter Janet. Even when Janet’s playing career was over, Momma D would be at training watching – even in the middle of winter – and when it was shooting practice she would be stood at the back of the field retrieving all of the missed shots in the dark where there were no floodlights!”

“She and Geoff travelled all over to away games to watch us play and never missed a thing to do with Chorley. She brought sweets in to the locker room before games, gave pep talks, helped at every fundraising event, gave game debriefs, gave players cut-outs of articles on themselves from the local newspaper and cheered us all on at every game. She was so passionate and caring it’s hard to imagine a Chorley game without her there.”

“Every game we play now will be in honour of her memory. Once we get back together as a team we will discuss what options we have to commemorate her throughout the season and at games. I’m sure there will be some pre-game rituals put in place for every game and celebrations of her life and commitment to the club.”

“She’s the centre of a lot of our Chorley stories so whenever we reminisce she will be remembered. Like when I took a shot and she told me how awful it was, or when she’s got her head torch on searching for miskicked shots in the brambles and when she even interrupted a team talk.”

With coronavirus restrictions starting to ease once more, Lisa updated us on the situation at the moment about training and her own fitness.

“Betti, one of our senior players, has continued to do an excellent job with virtual sessions. I’ve continued to get out and run, cycle or kick a ball on the local park by myself. This has helped keep me in some form of shape but I’m definitely ready to get back with the team and push on together. We thankfully haven’t got long to wait as we will be training in April.”

Despite training starting again, the FA have announced that Chorley’s season in the FA Women’s National League Division One North has been rendered null and void for the second year in a row. I asked Lisa what she felt about the decision:

“This must have been such a hard decision for the FA. Whichever way they decided, clubs and players were going to be disappointed. This time away from the pitch has really made me appreciate the years I have left to play so I’m definitely ready to get going and compete again. We were prepared either way. If we needed to play multiple games a week to catch up we would have but similarly we respect the decision made by the FA and league.”

Some parts of the country have already said they are going to run County based cup games or friendlies. Lisa ended our conversation by updating us on the situation specifically at Chorley.

“Our manager, Ben Gooden and the rest of the management team have been working really hard to get a plan together since hearing the news. He is really proactive so I know he will have plans in motion. I know we are getting some friendlies booked in and I’m sure if there is a cup set up in Lancashire we would enter it. Ben is really keen to keep us all fit, healthy and prepared and ready to go into next season strong. He will make sure we use this extra prep time well.”

Artwork: Graphics by PW.

Sydney Take Premiership Decider

Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne Victory

Report from Kris Goman at Cromer Park.

**Above:** Sydney FC’s squad celebrate with the Premiers Plate. **Photo:** @SydneyFC

Sydney finally clinch the premiership after ten years in the doldrums. Despite winning the championship three times, the premiership, which is awarded to the team who finish top of the table at the end of the regular W-League season has remained elusive in recent years.

Captain Teresa Polias was actually on the team last time Sydney won the Premiership and it speaks volumes of her longevity as that was in 2011, exactly ten years ago.

The funny thing about this match is that everything is at stake but nothing is at stake. If either team win they would win the Premiership and get a home semi-final which gives a distinct advantage. On the other hand, both teams have safely qualified for the finals series and a loss would not change that. It would just change who they played and where the game would take place.

Sydney are playing without star forward Cortnee Vine who injured her knee last week against Canberra. I spoke to her after the match and she didn’t know yet the extent of the damage but knew it was an MCL injury not an ACL. That still puts her out of the Finals series unfortunately.

Victory are fielding much the same team that demolished Perth Glory on the weekend. When you’re on a good thing, stick to it.

So in this much anticipated match which was originally due to be played a fortnight ago but postponed due to sustained heavy rain, Melbourne Victory kick off and are immediately on the attack. The press down the left through Lisa De Vanna, Angie Beard and Kyra Cooney-Cross is unrelenting but the Sydney defence are standing up to this attack. Sydney are attacking mostly on transition and Mackenzie Hawkesby gets a long ball to Princess Ibini who drives towards the box before passing back to Hawkesby. She takes one touch but pokes it over the crossbar uncontrolled.

Not too long after, Remy Siemsen takes a long range shot outside the box but Gabriela Garton has it in her sights the whole way.

Straight back on the attack De Vanna displays her signature fancy footwork and sidesteps a number of defenders before passing to Cooney-Cross who also takes a long range punt. It’s a bit too high and goes over the crossbar but it was nicely weighted and directed other than height. It certainly shows what she’s capable of.

Almost immediately afterwards Beard takes a shot but it’s straight to Jada Mathyssen-Whyman in the Sydney goal. Victory have come to play, no doubt about that.

**Above:** Melbourne Victory’s Angie Beard (right) tussles with Sydney FC’s Rachel Lowe. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague

Victory continue to press. Natalie Tobin and Natasha Prior are standing up to the onslaught but at this stage, it feels like Victory has the upper hand and the bulk of both possession and territory. Cooney-Cross gets another couple of shots in, one is gathered by Mathyssen-Whyman and one deflected by Tobin. Even Princess Ibini finds herself back doing a lot of defensive work.

On a rare Sydney attack, a ball comes into the box to Ibini but she’s not facing goal and can’t turn and the danger is nullified.

A Rachel Lowe intercept sees another incursion to the box for Sydney but results in a free kick just outside the box to be taken by Teresa Polias. Victory establish a large wall. The kick goes just over the wall to the top of the near post and into the back of the net past the outstretched arms of Garton. So sweetly struck for what is unbelievably only Polias’ third goal in her 155 W-league matches.

Victory are not fazed by the goal and continue their attack getting two corners shortly after the goal. They both come to naught.

Hawkesby gets a yellow for a shirt pull on Cooney-Cross. The resulting free kick is cleared but then bounces around outside the box until Prior chooses to clear over the goal line to relieve the pressure with a corner.

There are moments of brilliance from both sides but Victory still seem to have the bulk of possession and territory in the lead up to half time but the Sydney defence stand resolute.

Just before half time Sydney bring the ball into the box and Siemsen gets it back to Hawkesby. Her shot passes Kayla Ann Morrison and Garton pushes it away towards Ibini. Ibini ends up kicking it out as Garton dives and gets a hand to it so it’s a Sydney corner. The corner goes into the side netting in a wasted opportunity.

The second half sees more of the same. There’s a gasp as Garton does a soft clearance that Wheeler intercepts but she can’t control it and it goes straight back out.

**Above:** Teresa Polias celebrates after putting Sydney FC ahead with a stunning free-kick. Photo: @SydneyFC

Things feel a little bit more even in the second half and Sydney get a few more attacking opportunities. In one, Hawkesby passes to Siemsen and she gets a decent shot away only to be called offside. Garton had it covered but it was a better play by Sydney.

A Victory attack with a cross from substitute Catherine Zimmerman cross sees Mathyssen-Whyman stretch up high to grab then drop then retrieve the ball right in front of goal.

A little later Zimmerman receives the ball out on the right and runs Green around before shooting straight to Mathyssen-Whyman.

A Polias ball out to Ibini on the left sees her drive once more into the box and send a ball across an open goal that is missed by everyone.

De Vanna has a shot up the other end after some nice lead up work by Victory but it’s also straight into Mathyssen-Whyman’s arms.

After 71 minutes, Sydney get a penalty when Siemsen is fouled on the left on the box. Ibini steps up to take it and powers it past Garton on the right and this takes the score to 2-0 Sydney, even though it’s not really that reflective of the match, Sydney have taken their chances and Victory just haven’t been able to broach the Sky Blues’ defence despite a concerted effort.

Melina Ayres splatters Ally Green with a boot to the face and gets a yellow for her efforts. It takes a while to get her sorted and back on the field.

In a last second saving of face, Cooney-Cross displays some individual brilliance. Five minutes into stoppage time, the ball comes out to the right from Ayres to Cooney-Cross. She brings it into the box, drags it to her left, wrong foots Green and sends a rocket to the top left corner beating Mathyssen-Wyman. It’s all too little, too late but was definitely the goal of the match, just beautifully struck and showing her total class.

**Above:** Melbourne Victory’s young starlet Kyra Cooney-Cross (right), scorer of a brilliant late goal, battling it out with Sydney FC’s Clare Wheeler. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague.

Sydney get the match, the Premiership and the semi-final hosting rights. The trophy is presented to Polias and she brings it over to her team and they hoist it in victory. It was a well-deserved win in the end and marks the end of a fairly dominant season by Sydney where they were table toppers week in, week out.

Victory look on desolate as they really put in a great effort in this match but just couldn’t bring home the bacon.

**Above:** Sydney FC celebrate with the Premiers Plate after the game. **Photo:** @SydneyFC

Teams: SYDNEY FC: Mathyssen-Whyman, Mclean, Green, Prior, Tobin, Polias, Hawkesby, Wheeler, Siemsen, Lowe, Ibini. Substitutes: Campbell (GK), Hristodoulou, Rule, Ray, Toby.

Scorers: Polias 29, Ibini 73.

MELBOURNE VICTORY: Garton, Doran, Beard, Bunge, Morrison, Jackson, Longo, Cooney-Cross, Ayres, Barbieri, De Vanna. Substitutes: Maizels (GK), Martineau, Privitelli, Eliadis, Zimmerman.

Scorer: Cooney-Cross 90+5.

Referee: Casey Reibelt.

Attendance: 1,111.

Westfield W-League Final Table 2020/21:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Sydney FC	12	9	1	2	26	11	28	+15
Brisbane Roar	12	7	4	1	29	12	25	+17
Melbourne Victory	12	7	2	3	25	14	24	+11
Canberra United	12	6	4	2	21	16	22	+5
Adelaide United	12	7	1	4	22	18	21	+4
Western Sydney Wanderers	12	4	1	7	13	21	13	-8
Melbourne City	12	4	1	7	11	23	13	-12
Newcastle Jets	12	2	1	9	14	21	7	-7
Perth Glory	12	0	1	10	7	32	1	-25

Top four sides qualify for the finals at the end of the regular season.

Semi-Final Fixtures:

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory: Sunday 4th April, 4pm KO local time (5am UK)

Sydney FC v Canberra United: Monday 5th April, 3pm KO local time (4am UK)

All games live on BT Sport in the UK

Exciting Major Addition To Helston AFC Squad

Ben Gilby reports on a major new signing for Helston AFC Women – which is a clear statement of the club’s aims to play at a higher level sooner rather than later…

**Above:** Helston AFC Women have unveiled Keri-Ann Moxom. **Photo via:** Paul Parfitt

Today is transfer deadline day for registering players to compete in the Cornwall Women’s Football League and Helston Athletic Women have secured the major signing of 29 year-old central midfielder Keri-Ann Moxom from Callington Town.

Helston manager Paul Parfitt said: “I am pleased to have made this key signing in such a timely manner. Keri-Ann played for Helston then progressed to Callington as they were two leagues higher and matched her ambitions. She now sees that ambition is at Helston with the squad I have built since joining the club last year and I am finally pleased to be able to work with her after four years of watching her play and admiring her ability. She is a fantastic individual and a big name player in the Cornish women’s game – her mum used to play for Arsenal Ladies when she was younger also.”

“It is testament to the current squad and our team ambitions that Keri-Ann has decided to leave Callington and join a team currently two leagues below. Keri-Ann is a fantastic player and a big personality both on and off the pitch, we have had a very successful start to life as Helston Women and I am further impressed that Keri-Ann is joining us now to help us obtain further success and silverware and be part of that journey.”

“That commitment alongside all our existing players who want exactly the same success and put the work in every week bodes for a very exciting time for women’s football at the club and in West Cornwall in particular.”

“We are focussed on building on our early development and the thought of being able to add Keri-Ann to a midfield already boasting Dani White, Kim Yould, Georgia Lane, Alice Rae and so on offers superb and unrivalled options for me as the manager.”

“It is our desire at Helston to field both a First Team and Development Team next season and capturing the signature of Keri-Ann Moxom alongside our other most recent addition; Eve-Charlotte Moore from Bideford/Illogan combined with optimising the youth talent coming through at the club shows our intention not only to field two teams but to field two competitive teams capable of challenging for silverware on all levels.”

“Whilst Keri-Ann represents our ambitions on the pitch, off the pitch with the Development side we are also mentoring two existing squad members who will take Player/Coach roles next season.”

Speaking about her move back to Helston, Keri-Ann Moxom said:

“It will be nice to be back playing with some of the girls I really grew up playing football with and I would love for my Mum to watch me again as she used to watch me every weekend, but since playing further away she hasn’t been able to support me. I look forward to helping the team getting to the level they deserve to be at.”

“The decisive factors in joining Helston is the aim to win promotion to the South-West Women’s Football League and being much closer to home. I want keep playing the best football I can for as long as I can! I would love to see promotion once if not twice and definitely some silverware.”

“Of course there are a few friendly faces which I am looking forward to be back working with as it were, but I just love how the club is run in general, it definitely aided in my decision to make the move.”

Keri-Ann also shared the details of her footballing journey up to now: “I started playing for my first team when I was twelve years-old for Falmouth United. I used to play with the boys a lot on our estate, and it was one of my friend’s dads who used to coach Falmouth Boys, he invited me to training and introduced me to their girls’ team. My Mum used to give up a lot of her time to drive me to training sessions, sometimes three times a week when I played at county/regional level. I managed to be selected for England U15s when I just turned 15, and I remember my Mum taking so much time off work and paying for travel so that I could attend camps and sessions all over the country.”

Keri-Ann’s mother hasn’t just had a major role on her career due to her transporting her all over the country for football – her influence comes from her own footballing career.

“She used to play for Arsenal Ladies when she was younger and has always been my number one fan. I owe everything to her really, as well as the many coaches I had between the ages of 14-24.”

Keri-Ann’s arrival at Helston has created great excitement as the club chairman Paul Hendy highlights: “Very occasionally you know one of your managers has secured the signing of a very talented and special player. Upon hearing Keri was again going to play for Helston was one of those moments. She returns to a squad which is full of potential with an exciting season on the horizon”.

At Impetus we’ll be following Helston’s progress when their matches re-start in the very near future.

You’re Gonna Hear Us Roar!

Majella Card is a well-known fan of women’s football in Australia due to her work with the Matildas Active Support and Brisbane’s Roar Corps supporters group. Ben Gilby spoke to her ahead of the Queensland side’s Finals campaign.

**Above:** Members of the Roar Corps, including Majella, get behind Queensland’s W-League side. **Photo:** The Roar Corps via Majella Card.

We opened our conversation by exploring the history of the Roar’s women’s football side.

“Brisbane Roar started life as the Queensland Roar in 2008 as one of the foundation teams of the W-League – the club changed names to Brisbane Roar in 2009. We have a really proud history at the club, having taken the Premiership and Championship double in the inaugural season as the first of three total Premierships and two Championships in the league’s history. We have been really fortunate to have so many wonderful players kit up for us, including Nadine Angerer when she was FIFA World Player of the Year! We’ve had a host of Matildas players, none more noteworthy than Clare Polkinghorne who had been with us from the very beginning until the end of the regular season this year when she went to Sweden. She is a legend of the club. We haven’t lifted any silverware since our Premiership in 2017/18, but hoping to change that this season.”

With Majella a key member of the Roar Corps fans group, I was keen to know what a typical match day looked like from their perspective.

“A Roar home game is always a really fun experience. Game day involves getting to the ground early and setting up banners and the active area before the game. For the past couple of seasons we have played games between Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe to the north of Brisbane or Lions Stadium in the west of the city. Whichever venue, many fans drop into the clubs attached to the ground to catch up and have a meal and a few beverages before the game. We have a really diverse and raucous crowd at games and The Roar Corps aim keep up and making noise for the full game with chants and fun banter. I’m usually on one of the drums during games and never have much of a voice remaining when the whistle blows! One of the great things about W-League is also the time the players take to speak with fans after the games. COVID restrictions have put a bit of a dampener on getting autographs recently, but we’ve been so grateful to still be able to attend games. There is always a line-up of kids (and adults!) waiting to say hi to players after the game and they are really generous with their time.”

**Above:** One of the many banners you will see at a Brisbane Roar W-League home game – this one in honour of the team’s New Zealand international Olivia Chance. **Photo:** The Roar Corps.

This season has been substantially different in the W-League, initially due to the coronavirus pandemic, which made life, particularly at the beginning of the campaign very difficult.

“Several players starting the season shortly after fourteen days of hotel quarantine wasn’t ideal for us,” says Majella. “Uncertainty around the schedule and who and when you might be playing in the upcoming weeks must also disrupt plans – but all teams had to deal with that. From a fan perspective I’ve been disappointed having two away trips cancelled because of border closures and fixture changes, but I was lucky enough to get down to see the Roar’s win against Sydney which was a really fun trip. Overall I think we have been really fortunate being able to get the games completed like we have, and especially being able to have fans in the stands. In the grand scheme of things I’m really grateful for all of the work people have done behind the scenes so we can have a safe and fun season for everyone.

Brisbane Roar were among the favourites for the W-League title this season and there was great surprise therefore when they opened the campaign with four successive draws. Majella wasn’t too concerned however.

“It was very frustrating, impatiently waiting for the goals to come that I knew the team were capable of. The first game against Melbourne City in particular was hard to take as we were totally dominant, but I had to put it down to rustiness of the new season and an amazing performance from their keeper Teagan Micah to deny us. However throughout all of the four draws I was always really happy with our defence. Two legends in Clare Polkinghorne and Kim Carroll were rocks at the back, and then our young fullbacks Wini Heatley and Jamilla Rankin were also looking really strong. So while some of the missed shots were getting frustrating, we had a really solid foundation and I felt that getting the confidence in front of goals was only a matter of time. That 6-0 win against Melbourne Victory to start our winning streak was one helluva stress release!”

As Majella hinted once Brisbane grabbed their first win, success just kept on coming: “I think the run was started due to a combination of things. Probably confidence in front of goal, getting minutes into the legs of players and, yeah, gelling as a team. It’s no coincidence that the winning streak coincided with Emily Gielnik starting to slot the goals away. I think Emily can be a real confidence player so finally getting a goal to salvage a draw against Newcastle must have given her a boost for the following games. Tameka Yallop was coming back from an extended break and starting her family, so while she had been working really hard in those early games as she always does, I think those extra game minutes to get her touch back was also a factor. While much had been made of the number of Matildas we have, there has also been a lot of change from last season and the team has taken time to settle and get used to playing with each other. Younger players like Rankin and Heatley stepping up into regular starting roles, Mariel Hecher playing her first W-League season after starring in the NPLW in Queensland, and New Zealand international Liv Chance also playing W-League for the first time. Having that time to gel in training and learning to execute in games just seemed to take a little longer than we had hoped, but they are looking very good now.”

**Above:** The Roar making some noise! **Photo:** The Roar Corps via Majella Card.

Like so many of the other W-League sides, it is the young generation of Roar stars that have caught the eye of Majella this season: “Matildas aside, three players have really stood out for me. Our two full backs, Wini Heatley and Jamilla Rankin have been really great this season. They both bring so much in defence and attack on the wings – it’s been great to see them both step up to own those starting positions, they are certainly stars of the future. Liv Chance has also been an amazing addition to our midfield. She is such a crafty player and her passing has really been key to opening up our attack. She will be a crucial part of our run into finals.”

As with the vast majority of Australian women’s football fans, the emergence of the youngsters this season has been a major part of making the campaign so enjoyable.

“It has been great seeing local talent get more game time across the league in all teams. Adelaide are seeing the benefit of investing in their local talent this season. Sydney FC have had a relatively stable squad of players and have been able to draw on some of the best talent in the NPLW NSW. At Brisbane, we have benefitted from those Matildas who have come home from Europe choosing to play at home and also some of the best from the local Queensland competition stepping up. Certainly we’ve seen a bit of a drop in quality after losing some Matildas and imports, but I think teams that invest in supporting local pathways and making their club a supportive and high quality place to play will always set themselves up for success. The teams that will be heavyweights into the future will be those who can attract and keep their best local talent and also attract interstate players with club set-ups that are appealing for player development.”

With Brisbane having such a successful season leading up to the Finals, I wanted to ask Majella what she thinks the club need to do to ensure they make a Grand final this year.

“Consistency and continuing to play good team football. A big strength for us has been our depth and having strong players across the park and not relying on a small number of players to run the show. We have attacking threats from multiple avenues and maintaining our solid defence will put the Roar in a good position.”

**Above:** Emily Gielnik – will be a major loss for the Roar in the Finals after scoring so many goals during the regular season. **Photo:** @BrisbaneRoar

Yet Brisbane’s finals hopes have taken a twist with the loss of two key players, Clare Polkinghorne and Emily Gielnik to Sweden at the end of the regular season. I wondered how Majella assessed the consequences of this.

“Their presence, experience and class cannot be easily replaced. Polkinghorne has been a rock in defence and has been outstanding yet again this season, and losing the (likely) Golden Boot winner in Emily Gielnik is a worry for our team that has struggled at times to put the ball in the back of the net. But it is also a great opportunity for some of our emerging players to step up in a semi-final.”

**Above:** Roar legend Clare Polkinghorne is off to Sweden. **Photo:** The West Australian

“Looking at the wider squad, we have cover in those positions, and a number of players like Izzy Dalton, Wini Heatley and Kaitlyn Torpey who can move position as needed. I would expect to see Torpey get some more game time in the finals and she is a great player to be able to bring in to a bigger role.”

**Above:** Barnsley born former Nottingham Forest player Izzy Dalton has been in top form for Brisbane Roar this season. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

We ended by looking ahead to the future of the W-League both in Brisbane and more widely in Australia: “The Roar have been fortunate this year having some really high quality Matildas players come back to play for us, but that may not be the case in future years. Queensland has always been a great talent pool for footballers so there will always be good talent to draw from locally. A challenge will be keeping that local talent in Brisbane when other clubs are competing for the best in Australia as well. As I mentioned before, one of the biggest factors will be ensuring the club provides a supportive environment for players so the Roar can keep and attract the best players in the league.”

Ivan Karlovic – Pushing Adelaide United To Greater Heights

Adelaide United have had the greatest season in their W-League history coming agonisingly close to qualifying for the Finals for the first time and breaking the competition’s regular season attendance record. Ben Gilby spoke to the club’s Head of Women’s Football, Ivan Karlovic about progress in South Australia.

**Above**: Ivan Karlovic. **Photo:** Zimbio.

BEN GILBY: Can you tell us a bit about the journey that women’s football has had at Adelaide United?

IVAN KARLOVIC: The last four years has seen the Adelaide United Football Club take over the W-League licence from Football SA (the governing body of the game in the state of South Australia) and in that time, they have heavily invested in trying to improve the program and the resources associated with the women’s program.”

What have been the keys to the incredible season that the club have had in the W-League this year?

I think a lot of our younger players have now established themselves as experienced W-League players over the last three or four years and the continuity of our squad. We’ve probably had the smallest turnover from a playing group from last season which has helped, particularly in the current climate.

The club have had the opportunities to make the Finals in the past but never quite made it. This year you won more games than ever in the W-League and came agonisingly close to playing Finals football. What were the keys behind the successes of 2021?

I think off the field we’re progressing in the right direction and every year we’re continuing to add more value and add more resources and top quality staff to the program and the same on the field. We’re certainly heading in the right direction. It’s one of those things that just takes time. It’s been a number of years. You get a group of young players and start to develop them and give them more experience and this group will continue to evolve and develop in seasons beyond.

**Above:** Adrian Stenta, the club’s new Head Coach for 2020/21 **Photo:** The Women’s Game.

Adrian Stenta has come in as Head Coach this season, what qualities has he brought to the role?

Adrian is passionate and understands the game really well. He has a fantastic relationship with all of the players and staff. The continuity of him stepping up from the assistant coach role means he knows the players, he knows how the program operates. He’s been there for the last two years and it makes that transition so much easier and it has been shown in the quality of the results that the team have been producing.

There’s an exciting mix of young players and some overseas stars in the squad at the moment. Can you outline the pathway for young girls in South Australia that can end with a place in the Adelaide United first team?

A lot of girls will start out playing with their junior clubs and there’s the programs and pathways through Football SA. We’ve aligned ourselves and will continue to work with Football SA and the NTC (National Training Centre – based in each of the states) program. They will train with our main group to give them that experience from a young age and hopefully they develop into W-League players. Every year the NPLW (elite level state leagues for women players) is increasing in quality and the level which only makes it better for our W-League side. There are plenty of opportunities for the young players these days.

Adding to that, what are the extent of Adelaide United’s links with the SA NPLW?

We work closely with all of the clubs and the coaches. Firstly to ensure that all of the W-League players that are playing in the NPLW are getting the level of training that they need to maintain the standard for the W-League. We have Michele Lastella who is the NTC Women’s Head Coach forming part of our coaching team which basically links our program with the NTC in terms of the message that we are delivering to players. Michele is aware of that and can relay it to the younger players coming through the programs.

**Above:** Ivan pictured with Mallory Weber before the start of this season. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

The three overseas players – Mallory Weber, Maria Jose Rojas and Maruschka Waldus bring a great deal to the team. How did they come to join Adelaide United?

‘Cote’ (Maria Jose Rojas) is very familiar with South Australia having played and lived here previously. With her it was about timing. She’s been overseas over the past few years and came back to Adelaide in January and started training with the side at the end of last season but we couldn’t sign her due to foreign rulings. ‘Cote’ has been a leading goal scorer in the NPLW here in South Australia for a number of years.

Mallory came to us last year and was last season’s Club Champion. At the end of last season she spoke to me and was very keen on coming back to play for Adelaide United this year, so she really enjoyed her time which speaks volumes of the program that we’ve produced here with overseas players wanting to come back.

Maruschka, similar with ‘Cote’, was a timing thing. We tried to get her last year, but we couldn’t quite make it work with her club overseas. When the opportunity came to get her this year, we didn’t hesitate and she has added some extreme value to the side and a lot of experience and voice to a young group.

**Above:** Dylan Holmes, who was in outstanding form for Adelaide United before departing for Sweden. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

There has recently been the departure of Dylan Holmes, who has had an outstanding season, to play Champions League football for newly formed BK Hacken in Sweden. How do you view that whole situation?

It speaks volumes of what we’ve tried to create here at Adelaide United and the program and what we stand for as a club. Dylan has come in and done really well over the last few years having first played for us in 2014 as a teenager and has developed greatly, working really hard – not just when she is here, but in the off season. She’s a fantastic professional and a fantastic person off the field. For us, Dylan getting this opportunity is exciting, it’s something we want to provide that platform for our younger players – to be able to do what Dylan is doing of being able to realise dreams and one day being able to go and play in Europe.

How have you viewed the W-League this season – particularly with the lower number of international players and Matildas taking part this time round?

Yeah, look, I don’t think it is being disrespectful but the level has dropped off a bit and that’s only normal when you lose so many Matildas and quality international players. But what it has done is given a lot of young players opportunities that they would not have been able to get in the past and we’ve seen some break out seasons from players across the league and that will only help the national team moving forward and the league in general.

**Above:** Ivan sharing some advice with Michelle Heyman during her spell with Adelaide United. **Photo:** Adelaide Advertiser.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted Adelaide United?

I don’t think it has impacted on us greatly because our side was predominantly local and locally based over the past few years. We’ve worked hard to develop our local players, so from our point of view I don’t think it has affected us at all because our squad has strengthened in the period whereas other teams have lost international players whether it be overseas players or Matildas. The way our club is structured and our philosophy, it didn’t affect us.

How do you see the club’s short to medium term future in the W-League – say over the next five years?

Immediately it is the need to make Finals. I think we are the only W-League club never to have played Finals football, so that was a huge target of ours. We want to provide a platform for young and predominantly South Australian players to be able to step up and play in the W-League and hopefully push on to opportunities overseas and represent their country.

Irish Women’s National League Week 1

Impetus is delighted to welcome new contributor Ciarán Duffy of Post to Post Sport who will be providing us with a weekly round-up of all the goings on in the Irish Women’s National League. The new season started at the weekend, and here’s a full round-up of the action so far.

Ireland’s top level of domestic senior women’s football kicked off this weekend. Nine teams compete at this level: Athlone Town, Bohemians, Cork City, DLR Waves, Galway, Peamount United, Shelbourne, Treaty United and Wexford Youths. Peamount United are reigning champions having won the league the last two seasons, and completed a league and cup double last season. The winners of the league qualify for the Champions League preliminary round. Four games took place this weekend with DLR Waves being idle for the first round.

Bohs Blow Away Treaty To Top The League

**Above:** Bohemians scorers from their win over Treaty United – Bronagh Kane, Naima Chemaou, Sophie Watters and Aoife Robinson. **Photo:** @bfcdublin

The opening game of the season took place at Dalymount Park, traditional the home of the Bohemians men’s team. In the last meeting between these two sides they produced a goal fest, with Treaty winning 5-4.

It took just seven minutes to get our first goal of the year, Bronagh Kane made good use of her team pressuring an opposition kick-out to put Bohs ahead. It only took 37 seconds for Kane to add another, with Bohs putting the Limerick side under pressure straight from the kick off. 2-0 up, the home side would double their lead in the remainder of the second half, first through a Naima Chemaou volley in a move that started from a throw-in. Then with 8 minutes to go in the first half captain Sophie Watters finished off the back of a freekick. Treaty would get one back before halftime through Aoife Cronin, who got on the end of Rebecca Horgan’s cross. Bohs would lead 4-1 at halftime.

Early in the second half the Bohs defence failed to clear a Treaty corner and Shannon Parbat got another back for Treaty to cut the deficit to two goals. Treaty continued to mount pressure but the introduction of Aoife Robinson at the hour mark gave the home side some energy. She made an immediate impact, winning the ball deepin the Treaty half and finding a teammate, then receiving it back and curling a shot into the top-right corner having been on the field for just over thirty seconds. Robinson would head home another late in the game off a freekick.

FT Bohemians 6-2 Treaty United

Peamount Snatch Victory Late To Begin Title Defence With A Win

**Above:** Eleanor Ryan-Doyle whose late winner got defending champions Peamount United off to a winning start. **Photo:** @PeamountUtd

An 87^th minute wonder-strike ensured Peamount made a winning start to their quest for a 3^rd WNL title in a row. In a fixture that tends to be a higher-scoring affair it was a cagey afternoon between two traditional super powers in the league.

Peamount had the first clear cut chance with Megan Smyth-Lynch creating a scoring opportunity for last years top scorer Aine O’Gorman. Wexford were on the back foot, but nearly took the lead with a counter attack, but Niamh Reid-Burke was excellent in the Peamount goal, with the keeper recently having announced her international retirement. Wexford had another opportunity late in the half through Ciara Rossiter, her shot going just wide.

The second half saw chances at a premium with the conditions worsening. The wind was strong, limiting both teams to half chances. There was drama late on as Reid-Burke saved a penalty off Wexford captain Kylie Murphy. Peamount went up the other end two minutes later and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle hit a looping shot which gave the keeper no chance to score what would ultimately be the winner. Peamount were able to hold on to seal the win.

FT Wexford Youths 0-1 Peamount United

Galway & Cork Play Out A 6-Goal Thriller

**Above:** Cork City’s Becky Cassin, scorer of a phenomenal late goal to earn her side a point. **Photo:** Cork City Women,

A frantic first half saw five goals exchanged as Galway and Cork ultimately shared the spoils. Shauna Fox captained Galway for the first time.

Rachel Kearns got a hat-trick in the first half to send Galway in ahead, although Cork made them work for it. Kearns got her first two on the 15^th and 22^nd minutes to put Galway very much in control. Cork pegged them back with a strike from Ireland underage star Lauren Egbuloniu on the half-hour mark, before Ireland senior international Eabha O’Mahony levelled things up with the game heading towards half time. Kearns struck back immediately to ensure Galway went in 3-2 up.

Slevin missed a penalty for the home side as they looked to stretch their lead. Cork would get a point from the game with a late wonder strike from Becky Cassin. It is well worth checking out this goal on the club Twitter feed – it is astonishing! (1) Cork City FC Women on Twitter: “New season, same Becky Cassin. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #CCFC84 https://t.co/IdpajnImaz” / Twitter

FT Galway 3-3 Cork City

Shels Get Title Bid Off To A Winning Start

**Above:** Shelbourne celebrate their win at Athlone. **Photo:** Andy Fitzgerald (@fitzer_andy) via @shelsfc

Shelbourne went to Athlone on Saturday knowing they’d be expected to pick up three points, but also knowing it wouldn’t be easy. The away side had finished runners-up in the previous two league campaigns, coming agonisingly close on both occasions.

Athlone made the Dublin side work for everything, and at half-time it was scoreless. In the 2^nd half just passed the hour mark, Pearl Slattery scored from 30 yards to give Shels the lead. Alex Kavanagh would make it 0-2 shortly after. That would be enough for Shelbourne to take all 3 points.

FT Athlone 0-2 Shelbourne

Table After Round 1

Pos	Team	Pld	W	GF	GD	Pts
1	Bohemians	1	1	6	+4	3
2	Shelbourne	1	1	2	+2	3
3	Peamount	1	1	1	+1	3
4	Galway	1	0	3	0	1
5	Cork	1	0	3	0	1
6	DLR Waves	0	0	0	0	0
7	Wexford	1	0	0	-1	0
8	Athlone	1	0	0	-2	0
9	Treaty	1	0	2	-4	0

Next Weeks Fixtures

Saturday 3^rd April

Cork v Shelbourne (14:00)

Galway v Bohemians (14:00)

DLR Waves v Wexford Youths (18:00)

Athlone v Treaty (19:00)

To find out more information about Ciarán Duffy and all our contributors, visit: About our Contributors (wordpress.com)

Roar Clinch Home Semi But Wave Goodbye To Stars

Brisbane Roar 3–0 Newcastle Jets

By Ben Gilby

**Above:** Emily Gielnik was on target in her final game for Brisbane Roar. **Photo:** @BrisbaneRoar

In front of a large and vocal crowd at Lions Stadium, the Roar gained the victory that they needed to ensure a home semi-final next weekend.

Brisbane were determined to send off key players Clare Polkinghorne and Emily Gielnik who were off to Sweden with Vittsjö GIK after this game, and they produced a dominant performance to ensure that they got their wish.

The first chance came after just 21 seconds when the Jets’ Tara Andrews got away along the left and cut in. She slipped as she hit an effort goal wards, but Georgina Worth did well to hold it.

Four minutes in and Roar got their first shot away. Kim Carroll played a cross in from the left for Mariel Hecher. The Brazilian born striker didn’t quite connect with her volley attempt and Claire Coehlo held it well in the Jets goal.

The Jets’ promising start continued as they earned a corner a minute later after Rhianna Pollicina found some space down the right and won a corner. She whipped in the flag kick which saw Lauren Allan’s header come crashing back off of the cross bar. Andrews’ followed up led to a scramble which ended with Worth diving on the ball.

The see-saw nature of the opening ten minutes saw Brisbane have the next chance when Tameka Yallop found Isobel Dalton. The Barnsley born, former Nottingham Forest player has been in great form for the Roar this season and her ball in found the head of Gielnik, but Coelho saved.

Another chance came the way of the hosts when Gema Simon shoved Hecher in the back just outside of the box on the right hand side. Dalton’s free kick didn’t concern the Jets defence.

Brisbane were now taking control as the game neared the quarter hour mark. They earned another free-kick on the right hand side when Pollicina fouled Yallop. Dalton’s curling ball in was met by the head of Gielnik who brought a wonderful diving save from Coelho.

Less than sixty seconds later, Coelho was called into action once more. Hecher gained possession on the left hand side of the box and squared to Gielnik. The Matilda got away from Andrews and Taren King before hitting an effort on the turn which Coelho had to palm over the bar.

**Above:** Claire Coelho distributing the ball at Lions Stadium. She made some more outstanding saves. **Photo:** @NewcastleJetsFC

The Roar’s domination continued. Kaitlyn Torpey played in Yallop down the left with the latter trying to force a shot in from a tight angle on the left which went into the side netting.

With twenty-eight minutes gone, Gielnik found Dalton on the edge of the box and the Yorkshire born defensive midfielder hit an effort narrowly wide of the left hand post. Immediately afterwards, Hecher popped up on the right and squared for Yallop whose effort hit the right hand post and rolled wide.

Jets had a rare opportunity on the half-hour when Rhianna Pollicina got away from Kim Carroll in the midfield and played a ball towards Sunny Franco who was coming in from the right but she couldn’t quite time her run right to connect correctly.

Three minutes later there was a major scramble in the Jets’ six yard box from Jamilla Rankin’s dangerous in swinging corner. Carroll, Torpey and Polkinghorne were all in on Coelho but the Newcastle custodian dived on the ball.

The chances continued to come for the Roar. Five minutes before the half-time whistle, they forced a corner which Hecher took. Coelho palmed it away towards the right, but it quickly came in again towards the back post from Yallop. Gielnik headed back across the box and Torpey couldn’t miss grabbing her first W-League goal. Jets claimed Gielnik was offside, but referee Georgia Ghirardello waved away their protests.

**Above:** Newcastle Jets’ Sunny Franco had a great chance against her old club. **Photo:** @NewcastleJetsFC

Olivia Chance played a long ball out to Gielnik on the left, but Coelho gathered her effort comfortably.

Just before the break, Polkinghorne released Hecher along the right. She played a quick one-two with Gielnik just inside the box with Hecher’s resulting shot being saved.

Brisbane would be disappointed that their utter dominance had only resulted in a 1-0 lead at the break.

They set about putting that right just two minutes into the re-start when Emily Gielnik scored on her final appearance for the Roar this season. She met Mariel Hecher’s corner with a delightful glancing back header that left Claire Coelho with no chance.

Hecher came close once more as Brisbane continued to turn the screw when her long range power blaster smashed off of the bar.

The Brazilian finally got the goal that her endeavours deserved with ten minutes left when substitute Leticia McKenna’s corner was met by Polkinghorne’s head and Hecher redirected it into the Jets net.

**Above:** Mariel Hecher in action against the Jets. She got the goal her performance deserved with ten minutes left. **Photo:** @BrisbaneRoar.

At one stage this season, Brisbane looked red hot favourites to clinch not just top spot but a Grand Final success too. Crucially, they have claimed a home semi-final, but any hopes of progression now must come without two of the brightest stars of their season in Clare Polkinghorne and Emily Gielnik. If the Queenslanders lift the W-League trophy a fortnight today, they will certainly have earned it.

For the Jets, it was the last game of a frustrating season. One which has not seen them earn the results and the ladder position that some of their performances have deserved.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR: Worth, Heatley, Rankin, Polkinghorne, Carroll, Dalton, Hecher, Chance, Torpey, Gielnik, Yallop. Substitutes: Aquino (GK), Crummer, Horsey, Margraf, McKenna.

Scorers: Torpey 41, Gielnik 47, Hecher 81.

NEWCASTLE JETS: Coelho, Tamplin, Simon, King, Jaber, O’Brien, Pollicina, Davis, Andrews, Allan, Franco. Substitutes: Simonsen (GK), Bass, Petratos, Harding, House.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 1,895.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Brisbane Roar	12	7	4	1	29	12	25	+17
Sydney FC	11	8	1	2	24	10	24	+14
Melbourne Victory	11	7	2	2	24	12	24	+12
Canberra United	12	6	4	2	21	16	22	+5
Adelaide United	12	7	1	4	22	18	21	+4
Western Sydney Wanderers	12	4	1	7	13	21	13	-8
Melbourne City	12	4	1	7	11	23	13	-12
Newcastle Jets	12	2	1	9	14	21	7	-7
Perth Glory	12	0	1	10	7	32	1	-25

Top four sides qualify for the finals at the end of the regular season.