Above:Ella Abdul-Massih celebrates with Charli Wainwright and Izzy Dalton after scoring her late winner for Perth Glory. Photo:Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
Perth Glory have snatched a dramatic win against Brisbane Roar. The home side twice came from behind to score a 93rd-minute winner from an Ella Abdul-Massih free kick.
The two sides have mostly experienced very different seasons. Brisbane Roar have been flying high in the top half of the table, and thrilled fans as the highest-scoring team. Perth have struggled with form and injuries. However, neither of them had won in the last month and given the travel that Roar had to undertake, this was anybody’s game.
Things looked tough for the home side early on. Tameka Yallop opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a clever backheel after a corner kick fell to her at the six-yard box.
Brisbane looked in fine form and almost doubled the lead soon after. Sharn Freier’s close-range effort was well blocked by Casey Dumont. It would turn out to be a turning point in the game.
The in-form Caitlin Doeglas turned cleverly 18 yards from goal and struck past Olivia Sekany to level the scores. Brisbane answered almost immediately when Emily Pringle set up Grace Kuilamu to turn and shoot from close range.
Remarkably, the first-half scoring was not over and Doeglas brought up her brace when she raced in to steal the ball off Sekany’s toes and tap into an empty net.
Perth began the second term in the ascendancy with Nat Tathem instrumental in winning control of the midfield. Brisbane continued to test the Glory defence but both sides looked prone to a defensive error and it felt like luck played the largest part in the score staying level.
It was beginning to look like it was not Brisbane’s day when star winger Sharn Freier went off injured. The recent Wolfsburg signing went down after racing to cross the ball and was clutching her ankle. Reports from the league indicate that it is not serious, and all Australian football fans will be hoping that early news is accurate.
With the game headed towards a draw and both keepers denying chances to Doeglas and Alicia Woods respectively, it would take something special to win this one. Abdul-Massih delivered that in the 93rd minute.
The former Western Sydney Wanderers youngster was fouled when clear through on goal, with Holly McQueen sent off as a result. Brisbane would have felt confident that they could hold on for the draw with the professional foul having been committed outside of the box.
Absul-Massih had other ideas and confidently drilled the resulting free-kick low and hard beyond Sekany for a dramatic late win. It was Glory’s third win of the season and their first since November.
Next up, Stephen Peters’ side will look to build on this momentum with a tricky away trip to Canberra. Brisbane are now in real need of a win and will be tested by an unpredictable and dangerous Wellington Phoenix.
BRISBANE ROAR (3-2-4-1): Sekany, McQueen, Varley, Blissett, Kruger, Woods, Pringle, Yallop, L Freier, S Freier, Kuilamu. Substitutes: De La Harpe, Hecher, Popadinova, Richards, Hoyos.
Scorers: Yallop 5’, Kuilamu 31’.
Referee: Isabella Mossin.
Attendance: 1,044.
Exclusive photography gallery from Rob Lizzi for Impetus at the Sam Kerr Football Centre
Above: Ella Abdul-Massih’s last gasp free-kick wins the game for Perth Glory. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.Above: Cailtin Doeglas (left) celebrates with Gabby Hollar after scoring. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
For more of Rob Lizzi’s exclusive photography from the game for Impetus, visit our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball
Above: Tianna Fuller strikes the winning goal for Central Coast Mariners.Photo:A-Leagues
Central Coast Mariners leapfrogged the Phoenix to re-enter the top six with this vital win at Woy Woy Oval today.
To the untrained eye, the opening minutes of the match may have appeared to have been unappealing but for the avid football fan, it was an interesting eight minutes as neither team were able to establish dominance. The quality of most passing and execution was right from the outset. Repeatedly though, the final passes for each team went astray with no real scoring opportunities being created.
That changed in the fifteenth minute when the Mariners went coast to coast off a well placed long ball reached Rasmussen who laid off a perfectly weighted ball to Fuller who unleashed a shot but the Phoenix keeper, Vilao, safely collected the ball.
With both teams’ attack being annulled by the other teams’ midfield a shift of intent happened from the twentieth minute with each side applying high press coverage and attempting to cut through with long passes along the pitch out wide and trying to get over the top. Neither team were really able to worry the opposition.
The 37th minute opened up the first chance for a goal to be scored as a very poor clearance by the Phoenix inside their sixteen years box was fluffed. Following a run right through the middle of the Phoenix by the Mariners midfielder Taylor Ray, defender Jaber tried to layoff a soft pass to her goalkeeper, but Vilao wasn’t expecting it, with Jaber receiving the ball straight back again and resorting to putting the ball out for a corner.
The Phoenix’s first real chance of scoring came about in the 44th minute as attacker Elliot created space on the left-hand wing, and crossed for the waiting Grace Jale who was well placed just on the outside of the six yard box, however the attacker was unable to get the right angle on her kick resulting in the the ball sailing well over the top of the Mariners goal.
With half time approaching both teams decided to up the ante in the additional minutes with each team creating chances to score. The 47th minute mistake by the Mariners of not clearing the ball well, resulted in attacker Jale receiving the ball and being able to pass to an unmarked Fergusson, but as she attempted to get the ball onto her shooting foot, Mariners goalkeeper Langman stretched her body to its full extent and managed to block the shot.
Coming back after half time both sides ratcheted up the energy levels and signs of enthusiasm. It didn’t take long for Central Coast to create space on the right wing through Fuller, whose cross into the penalty area bounced perfectly for an attacking player to score, but unfortunately for the Mariners, their attackers were not in a position to take advantage.
The first goal of the match came in the 53rd minute for the Mariners off a run by Nunn who was central on the pitch, beat her marker, and passed to Fuller. A Hail Mary shot on goal from 20 metres out drifted over the head of the Phoenix goalkeeper, bounced off the the woodwork of the far post and into the net.
The Phoenix countered with some impressive setup passes from Whinham to Elliot then on to Fergusson, deep in the Mariners area, who found herself in a one on one challenge with the Mariners goalkeeper. But central defender Taylor Ray was able to use her speed and agility to cut inside Fergusson, dislodging the ball which was collected by the keeper.
It was at this time that something clicked for the Phoenix. Repeated corner opportunities from the hour mark allowed them to really apply pressure on the Mariners. Sadly for the Phoenix no goals were forthcoming, but that intent could be seen in the Phoenix defenders, Barry and Jaber, moving a lot higher up the pitch and putting themselves into space. Very much an ‘all hands on deck’ strategy.
Five minutes from the end, the visitors created an excellent opportunity with some classy passing and four attacking players in the 18-yard box but the Mariners stood up to the challenge posting seven defenders plus the goalkeeper. Once again, defender Ray came to the rescue and put the ball out for an offensive corner for the Phoenix. In the same way the other corners played out, the Phoenix were unable to find a way to score.
Three minutes into added time, the Mariners almost added a second when Jade Pennock struck a beautiful pass into the goal area looking for Shadeene Evans, but high-quality defensive work from Jaber cleared the danger.
Above: Canberra United’s Maja Markovski (green) tries to hold off a challenge in today’s game. Photo:Canberra United.
In a thrilling encounter at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Jets and Canberra United played out a tight 2-2 draw.
The two sides went into the game with Jets eager to end their winless streak of six matches, while Canberra sought to extend their unbeaten run which went out to four matches after their game with Western Sydney Wanderers last time out.
Canberra United wasted no time taking control of the game, charging toward goal immediately after kickoff. Newcastle Jets quickly responded with an attack of their own after Hayley Taylor-Young fouled Sheridan Gallagher. The resulting free kick, however, soared over the bar and failed to trouble keeper Sally James.
In just the 10th minute, Lara Gooch capitalised on a Canberra mistake and fired a brilliant shot into the net, giving her side an early lead.
The match took a concerning turn soon after, as a heavy head collision between Tash Prior and Holly Murray forced both players to leave the pitch. Newcastle were particularly cautious owing to Prior’s extensive concussion history and chose not to take any risks.
Canberra turned their luck around when Sofia Christopherson found space and slotted the ball into the goal, bringing the scores level.
Possession remained evenly split, but Newcastle continued to look the more threatening in attack.
Matilda Michelle Heyman showcased her goal scoring abilities once again, extending her record as the A-League’s leading goalscorer with a perfectly-placed finish following an excellent assist from Taylor-Young. Up the other end of the pitch, Gallagher sent a dangerous cross into the area, but Libby Copus-Brown couldn’t keep her shot low, leaving Canberra unscathed.
As the half drew to a close, Newcastle had a chance to equalize through a corner. The ball pinballed around the box but was eventually cleared. Copus-Brown had the final effort of the half, unleashing a powerful strike that flew just off target, leaving Canberra ahead at halftime.
The second half began at a slower pace, with neither side creating significant chances early on. Cassidy Davis nearly sparked life into the match with a powerful strike that hit the post and rebounded dangerously out and then back toward the open goal, but Canberra’s defense managed a last-second clearance to keep their lead intact.
Canberra continued to press for an advantage, creating multiple opportunities but failing to find the finishing touch. Newcastle had a free kick in a promising position but couldn’t make it count.
The breakthrough came when Josie Allan showcased her skill, weaving through the visitors’ defence before delivering a perfect pass to Sheridan Gallagher who confidently found the back of the net, leveling the score and reigniting Newcastle’s hopes.
However, Gallagher’s night took a turn for the worse in the dying minutes of regular time. After receiving her second yellow card, she was sent off, leaving Newcastle to battle through the final minutes with just 10 players. Despite the five minutes of stoppage time, neither side could find a winner, and the match ended in a hard-fought draw.
Next week will see Newcastle Jets travel to take on the Central Coast Mariners whilst Canberra United return home to face off against Perth Glory. Both sides will be looking to gain more than just the singular point earned from this match.
Above: Melbourne City (sky blue) and Western Sydney Wanderers contest possession today. Photo:Melbourne City.
Melbourne City have maintained their excellent campaign in a well-fought 1-0 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers and Wanderers Football Park on Saturday.
The fixture was set to be an exciting match-up, with the two sides currently sitting at opposite ends of the ladder. Melbourne City went into the game in second while Western Sydney Wanderers were at the bottom of the ladder.
Despite this disparity, and City clearly having the upper hand, the match was fairly even for the majority of play. Western Sydney displayed strength in their defensive structure that hasn’t been seen yet this season, putting pressure on the visitors.
The first real chance came from the hosts in the 3rd minute, with an excellent run from Ella Buchanan, who didn’t quite have the footing behind it to open the scoring.
Western Sydney continued their streak of shots, with another good strike from Danika Matos, who couldn’t find the back of the net.
The scoring was opened in the 14th minute by Holly McNamara, assisted by Mariana Speckmaier. The goal was a momentous one, as the match marks McNamara’s first start in over a year, following her third anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 22-year-old remains the top scorer in this fixture and has further proven her importance to Melbourne City’s squad.
Although City’s lead inspired the visitors to put pressure on the Wanderers’ defence, the hosts maintained their dominance in terms of shots on target and continued to make tactical plays in dangerous areas throughout the remainder of the first half. The visitors remained ahead at the break.
Following an ankle injury at the end of the first half, Western Sydney’s Sienna Saveska was taken off at half-time, making way for Ena Harada, who made an instant impact on the pitch, involving herself in several great opportunities, that looked to be propelling the Wanderers towards an equaliser.
The match remained fairly even overall throughout the second half. Melbourne City continued to move with a sense of cohesion, while Western Sydney remained dominant in the attacking end, making it quite difficult to tell where the next goal would come from, if at all.
Lourdes Bosch found Holly McNamara well in the 48th minute, giving McNamara an excellent chance to net her second goal of the match, however, the strike was just wide of goal.
Just minutes after her strike, Holly McNamara made way for defender Karly Rostbakken, causing some reshuffling within the City squad, that would ultimately strengthen their defence, making the Wanderers attempt to dismantle their backline, increasingly difficult.
As stoppage time approached, the pitch became a place of greater intensity, when Western Sydney was momentarily left down a player, as Sophie Harding was taken off with injury. Cushla Rue and Bronte Trew made their way onto the pitch shortly after the disruption and quickly amended any uncertainty within the Wanderers side.
Cushla Rue made the first attempt from either side in quite some time, shortly after coming onto the pitch, however, the attempt was off target. Despite the miss, Rue’s shot picked up the momentum of the match, as both sides desperately searched for a second goal.
A chance from Leticia McKenna in the 67th minute got the visitors dangerously close to a second goal, however, a deflection from Shamarin Khamis, kept the score as it was.
Despite Western Sydney’s best efforts in the closing stages, it was City who took another set of three points.
The victory has extended City’s impeccable campaign this season and will send them into next weekend’s top-of-the-table match-up against Melbourne Victory at home, with confidence as they try to maintain their top place ranking.
Western Sydney Wanderers will head to Ironbark Fields to face Western United during round 14. Although Western United would be expected to come out on top of that matchup, the Wanderers showed a defensive effort and squad cohesion today that has been missing from their side so far this season.
Kris Goman’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from the match for Impetusis now on our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball.
Above: Nanako Sasaki breaks through for Adelaide United in today’s game. Photo:Adelaide United.
Finals hopefuls Adelaide United and Western United shared the points in their battle at the Marden Sports Complex today.
The home side took an early lead through Erin Healy. The American international took off down the left flank on an individual mission and wasn’t interrupted by a single defender on her way, before stepping into the centre and firing from the top of the box.
The curling right-footed shot made its way into the top right corner, out of reach of a diving Chloe Lincoln.
Western United had multiple opportunities to equalise during the rest of the first half, with chances falling to both Kahli Johnson and Captain Chloe Logarzo.
They finally found a goal just after the hour mark through their American Catherine Zimmerman.
The former Melbourne Victory star’s close range effort was shot with strength behind it that had it hitting the back of the net before Adelaide United keeper Claudia Jenkins could even react.
With the points shared, Adelaide United remain in third on the table, while Western United sit just outside the top six in seventh place.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-3): Jenkins, Tolland, McNamara, Tonkin, Leon, Morgan, Sasaki, Hodgson, Dewey, Dawber, Healy. Substitutes: Karambasis, Mullan, Bowler
Scorer: Healy 9’.
WESTERN UNITED (4-2-2-2): Lincoln, Grove, Maher, Dehakiz, Sardo, M. Taranto, Eggesvik, Logarzo, A. Taranto, Zimmerman, Johnson. Substitutes: De Demizio, Roach
Above: Renée Slegers addresses the media ahead of Sunday’s match against ChelseaPhoto: Arsenal FC
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers acknowledged what Sunday’s top of the table clash “means for fans and players” and described how Arsenal is going for the win whilst also admitting her respect for Chelsea.
Slegers addressed the media this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s top of the table clash against Chelsea.
Arsenal currently behind Chelsea in the WSL table and, therefore, all eyes are on their upcoming face off. In addition to gaining three points, Arsenal fans hope that their team will end Chelsea’s unbeaten streak.
According to Slegers, Arsenal is “aware of the threats” that Chelsea has. Specifically, she mentioned their strong upfront players and the way that they’re “goal directed” in and around the box. In response to this, the Gunners will have to be “disciplined” in their “defensive structure”.
Furthermore, she highlighted the opportunistic nature of Chelsea when she said: “they are a team that when they get chances in the game, they are likely to take them, I think that is one of their big strengths; when they get momentum, they capitalise.” This attack-driven gameplay will require Arsenal to have “high concentration levels all the way through”. A particular focus will be on the first 15 minutes which have been noted as being “important” when staff have broken down previous games “into 15-minute blocks”.
Slegers also reflected on the last time Arsenal faced Chelsea, which resulted in a victory for the Blues. She highlighted that their “momentum” then was different as they had just lost to Bayern Munich away.
Expanding on this, she said: “I and the players have a big belief in what we’re doing at the moment”. They recognise “how good Chelsea is” but will “go for the win”.
Despite this belief, Slegers acknowledged that the game will be tight with physical battles and shifting momentum. She said that the team “don’t expect to win every game”, emphasising that they are “very humble for every task”. They are being “realistic about the opposition and their strengths” and they “want to take this game and approach it as any other game”.
When expressing her “respect” for Chelsea, Slegers also admitted her admiration for their manager, Sonia Bompastor. She said that the manager is “really trying to get the best out of that team”.
Beyond this, Slegers spoke on the significance of having two female managers, who are currently managing the best two teams in the country, go head-to-head. She described how it “says something about the opportunities given and how different federations are working to get more women into top roles in football”. This evidence of female managerial talent is also a testament to the increasing “opportunities for women in sport in general”.
Speaking on her own players, Slegers confirmed that Caitlin Foord and Lia Walti will be back in the squad following their absence at Wednesday’s Brighton game. She said that they were “both on the pitch today” and that their removal from Wednesday’s squad was simply a precaution.
Wednesday’s match against Brighton also saw Slegers utilise different players, one of which being Rosa Kafaji. Speaking on Kafaji and her performance, Renee said that she sees her “as a very good player for now and for the future of Arsenal”. She highlighted the positive qualities that Kafaji brings to the team, including deep runs, dribbling and strong 1v1 battles.
One player who scored on Wednesday, and has impressed as of late, is Alessia Russo. When asked about the striker, Slegers said: “I’m very impressed with who Alessia is as a person, she’s just a very good person. She cares for everyone and her teammates, cares for staff, treats everyone with respect.” The manager also highlighted the hard work she puts in on the training pitch, highlighting that “she’s a great player to work with”.
It was Wednesday which also bought Kyra Cooney-Cross’ first official Arsenal goal. Slegers described the Matilda as “an excellent player” mentioning that younger players can “need some time to adjust” when moving to a club like Arsenal. She highlighted that Cooney-Cross has “invested a lot of work” and that this has led staff to be “very happy with her” and “the level that she’s performing at now”.
Questions were also asked about the young Arsenal players who have recently been loaned to Championship League clubs. These are Laila Harbert, Vivienne Lia and Madison Earl. Slegers said that the club try to find what’s “best for these players in the short term and long term” and that it’s good for the young Gunners to “go out on loan and get some minutes”.
Above: Perth Glory co-captain Izzy Dalton speaking to the media yesterday at the club’s Fremantle HQ. Image: Perth Glory.
by Ben Gilby (24/1/25)
Perth Glory co-captain Izzy Dalton insists that her team’s determination to right the wrongs of their performance away to Brisbane Roar can be the deciding factor when the two teams meet again at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Sunday.
“Our performance away at Brisbane wasn’t great – we fell short majorly and we didn’t look in the game, but we’re well aware of that, we haven’t shied away from it,” she admitted.
“Leading up to this game, we’ve tried to put a lot of things right in training and I think we’ll go out there and put on a much better performance that we did (at Perry Park earlier in the season), and, of course, it’s my former team so you want to play well and you want to win!”
The Glory go into this encounter without a win in six games, with their latest reverse coming 4-1 at Western United on Tuesday. Despite this, Dalton points to the fact that the team’s run has largely been the consequence of small margins rather than consistently poor performances. As a consequence, confidence in the group remains strong.
“We’ve managed to keep the vibe really high, but we know the results have been really disappointing this far. I don’t think that’s changed the way we think and what we are capable of achieving.”
“If you look at our results, when we’ve lost games, it’s been 1-0 and conceding off set-pieces and stuff like that. Some of the defeats we’ve had have been really narrow. Except Western (United on Tuesday) and at Brisbane Roar earlier on in the year, they have been the only defeats that we have had that have hurt us majorly.
“The rest of them have been close games and that’s what we take into the second half of the season where we know we can compete with a lot of the teams.”
Above: Izzy Dalton curls in a shot at home to Central Coast Mariners earlier in the season. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
Whilst Brisbane Roar have been among the leaders on the ladder for all of the season, they are currently on a sticky run of results themselves, with three defeats in their last four matches. It’s a statistic that the Perth co-captain believes makes now a great time to face the Roar.
“Like any team in the league, at some point, other teams start to figure other teams out and maybe that’s been the case for them.
“It’s come at a great time. We’ve obviously come off the back of a few losses, and so have they. They’ll be up for it and so will be we, but I think it’s come at a good time to play them.”
“We know it’s hard for teams to travel across the country to play in Perth, so we have to use that to our advantage.”
The positive vibe of Dalton’s discussion also extended to matters surrounding her own fitness, with the news that she is recovered from an hamstring injury that has impacted the number of games that the English born player has been able to play.
“It didn’t come with great timing with the amount of injuries we have in the team, but during my time on the sidelines, we did win, and that’s important and I’m proud of the group for being able to do that.
“We do have a lot of strength in other ways, and we’ll begin to see that in the coming weeks when we have players coming back in training and playing games – we’ll start to look a bit stronger.”
Above:Goalscorer Alana Jancevski (blue shirt) and Princess Ibini challenge for the ball.Photo: Sydney FC.
Melbourne Victory go top of the ALW table following a 2-0 win over Sydney FC in The Big Blue. A brilliant Alana Jancevski free kick and a goal from Holly Furphy on debut give Victory their third consecutive triumph against Sydney FC.
Melbourne Victory was quick to make their mark in the game and Jancevski was the one to do so. It what will be considered one of the goals of the season, Jancevski rocketed home the opener from a tremendous direct free kick from into the top right corner that gave Brianna Edwards minimal chance of saving. It was fitting that a childhood Melbourne Victory fan was the one to open the scoring in The Big Blue
Sydney’s first real response to the goal was on the 40th Minute. Princess Ibini’s cushioned header placed the ball into the path of Caley Tallon- Henniker. Her first touch set up the volley but the eventual attempt on goal was dragged pass the post. Tallon- Henniker again was Sydney’s brightest spark in the first half soon after but her effort at the near post was simple for Courtney Newbon to deal with.
Sydney started the second half brightly, having plenty of the possession and looked threatening. Indiana Dos Santos tried the remarkable and attempted to score directly from a corner just before the hour mark, but Newbon punched away emphatically. Margaux Chauvet also found herself close to scoring her first ALW goal but her effort inside the box was always rising over the bar.
The closet Sydney came to goal came when Mackenzie Hawkesby’s corner was met by Natalie Tobin. Tobin headed into the path of Abbey Lemon who was lurking in the six-yard box. Lemon made good contact but was somehow denied by the shoulder of Newbon,
Immediately following Sydney’s best opportunity to equalise, Melbourne Victory wrapped up the game and it was another Melbourne native on the scoresheet. Rachel Lowe’s outside of the foot through ball found the debuting Furphy. Furphy rounded Edwards, remained composed and finished to seal all three points and take Victory to the top of the table.
To view Beck Hartley’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from the match for Impetus, check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball
Above:Fiona Worts pictured during training this season. Photo: Adelaide United.
At the end of last season, Adelaide United’s English striker Fiona Worts was at a crossroads. She admitted to Impetus in an exclusive interview that she was considering turning her back on footballbefore she recognised that what she both wanted and needed was a return to her “safe space” – Adelaide United.
“I was leaning towards not playing at all,” Worts told me. “But then I realized that everything I wanted—being around people I cared about and living in a safe place—was in Adelaide. So, I ended up reaching out to Adelaide quite late in the day, and everything just fell into place from there.
“I knew I needed to go home after my time in Sydney, and was planning on staying in England. I just wanted to go home. I was at home, thinking I would stay there, I had a great time reconnecting with people, and it was really important for me. After seeing everyone, I decided I didn’t want to stay and play there, and I even considered not playing at all and staying home.
“By the end of last season, I was very clear that the decision I made had to feel right. I wasn’t willing to sign a contract that didn’t feel right. It wasn’t just about the value of the contract or the league it was in, but also things like housing and other personal factors that were important to me at the time. When I looked at everything as a whole, I didn’t really have anything on the table that met all those needs.”
Until the striker realised that what she really wanted and needed was a return to South Australia and she’s absolutely thriving there once more.
“There have definitely been a lot of ups and downs over the last five years that I’ve been involved (at Adelaide). So there’s probably a shared feeling among many of the people who’ve been through all of that—they just want to enjoy it.
“At the start of the season, there wasn’t as much focus on how well we would do in terms of league standings. It was more about creating a supportive environment where everyone could enjoy themselves. When that’s the case, you can just see what happens. I think that’s where we’ve thrived in the past—when the environment is great, everyone enjoys being around each other and playing football together.
“You can see it when people are playing. So, I think there was definitely a sense of that coming back in, and it felt a bit different from when I left.”
Above: Fiona Worts celebrates with Chelsie Dawber in Adelaide United’s win at Newcastle Jets this season. Photo: Adelaide United.
One of the integral parts of the supportive atmosphere is the Reds’ head coach Adrian Stenta who has created a tight squad who have known each other for a long time, and the bond is tight as a consequence, as Worts asserted.
“There are a lot of girls here who have played with each other for a long period of time. When you go through those tough periods, you want to make sure it’s better for everyone involved. Some of the players who have come in have really bonded well with the girls who are already here, and I think that can make a big difference.
“They’ve definitely added to that. I think everyone is close, really happy for each other, and wants to see each other succeed. I think that often comes from the top as well. The coach creates that environment and drives the idea that we’re a team. We’re going to do it together, go out there, do the best we can, and see what happens.”
Worts’ footballing journey began in the Midlands region of England at the Centres of Excellence at Notts County, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City. She takes up the story.
“I stayed with Leicester City for a while during my senior years. They weren’t playing at higher levels back then, so I had the chance to witness their rise and played in a few different leagues with them.
“For a couple of seasons, I would return to Leicester just for home games, getting the train down from Leeds where I was at University. Then I came to Adelaide in 2016-17 for a year abroad and ended up playing some NPL here and that’s when I decided, after returning home, that I wanted to try and step up to higher levels.
“I signed with the Guiseley Vixens, who were in the English National Premier League, which was the third tier at that time. I did a season with them while I was still at university, and then I had the opportunity to go back to Leicester City and join them playing in the Championship (tier two).
“It was semi-professional football, so I wasn’t getting paid, but at least it was moving towards a more professional level. I spent a season with Leicester City but was released after that year, which caught me by surprise. I ended up going to Coventry United where I played just over half a season before returning to Australia in the middle of the year.
“After my year abroad, I knew at some point I was coming back to Australia, to Adelaide. I just knew it was going to happen, though I had no idea when, why, or how. Then, in July 2019, I got released from Leicester. It was really close to the season starting, and that same weekend, I was told I had to leave my job if I wanted to keep playing.
Above: Fiona Worts in action for Adelaide United against Canberra United in 2020. Photo: Adelaide United.
“So I was immediately looking for a new job and moving clubs. I wasn’t really settled in anything. It’s quite funny—I’d gone to Norway to visit a friend I’d met during my year abroad in Adelaide, and we were mid-conversation, talking about how I was considering going back to Adelaide.
“Then I received a Facebook message from someone who was part of Adelaide Uni at the time I was there and had gone to Fulham United (in the NPLW SA). They asked, ‘We’re looking for a striker. Would you be interested?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I think I would.’ And everything sort of worked out from there. That was in December 2019, and by March 2020, I was on a plane.”
Worts’ first spell at Adelaide United coincided with the club’s most successful period in their history which culminated in a first spot in the Finals. It was a period that the attacker looks back on with huge pride.
“I think it was great. It was my first time playing in a professional league, and it was an amazing experience. Travelling around the states, especially as an international player, was fantastic because I hadn’t seen many of these places before. We had such a great team, and I think our squad as a whole was strong.
“Many players had waited their turn and suddenly had the opportunity to start week in and week out. They had been playing together for a long time, and everything just came together.
“It was great to be in that professional environment for the first time. I also got to see players moving on to play in Sweden and elsewhere, including American and Dutch players—people from all over the world coming here to play. I had never really witnessed that side of football before, and I think it broadened my perspective on what football could offer. It was definitely great to be a part of that.”
The success of that period, both collectively and personally gave Worts the opportunity to make the move to one of Australia’s most successful clubs, Sydney FC. Looking back now, it was a bitter-sweet experience for her.
“As an international player, it was pretty exciting to live in Sydney. It was one of those things where I thought, as a 10-year-old, could I ever imagine playing professional football in Sydney? The club has such a rich history and a great reputation, so I felt quite honoured to have the opportunity to play for a team like that.
Above: Fiona Worts (sky blue shirt) in action for Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar last season. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
“Sydney is very different from what I’m used to; it’s probably not quite my style. I actually enjoy the slower pace of life in Adelaide. But, for a period of time, it was a great experience. I met some wonderful people and had the chance to be part of a championship-winning team.
“I also played with some amazing players, including Cortnee Vine, a Matilda with so much experience, as well as a number of other players who have their own wealth of experience.
“I really enjoyed playing under Ante (Juric, Sydney FC head coach). He kept football quite simple in some ways. The sessions were straightforward, and the game plans were relatively easy to understand. You would go out and play, with a strong focus on work ethic and effort. It was a good environment. He could be tough when needed, but at the same time, he was very supportive.
“I think he made me tougher and more relentless. It wasn’t the kind of team where you would take extra days off. If you were tired, you worked harder. I think that’s a good mindset to have. In the modern game, there’s more emphasis on loading and taking care of yourself, which I think is great. But sometimes, it makes you check yourself and think, ‘Maybe I can push myself a bit more.’
As Worts completed her season at Sydney, she then made the move back to England. Once she realised that Adelaide was, indeed her “happy place” both personally and professionally, her return to the Reds has brought about an impressive run of form for both the player and her club.
“There’s optimism, and I don’t think there’s as much pressure. It’s not too hard to do better than it was last year, and I think that’s where it started. You just want to make sure it’s better, and once you’ve done that, it’s about keeping going—how far can it go? So, I think it’s the positive atmosphere, with people wanting to be better and going out to play football as well as they can, one game at a time.”
That approach has seen Adelaide continue to build, and as we stand on the brink of the second half of the season, the Reds are strongly placed for Finals football. That’s a real target for Worts and her team.
“I think, for me, finals definitely seem feasible. Sometimes you have games where you think, ‘Yeah, we could have a shot at the championship,’ and then other times, you have a game where you’re like, ‘I don’t know, maybe getting into the top six is a more realistic target.’ But I don’t know.
“For me, it’s just a game at a time—trying to pick up as many points as we can. The table is so hard to read at this point in the season. As you see every year, teams that pick up points early on, and in fact, it’s even happened with us, where we pick up points in the first five or six games, and then drop off. I think the main thing is not to do that—not to settle, thinking you’ve already achieved what you set out to do but to just keep trying to see how far you can take it.”
Above:Sharn Freier (left) and Laini Freier for Brisbane Roar.Photo: Brisbane Roar
Sharn Freier spoke to the media following the announcement she will be joining Wolfsburg at the end of the season.
The Brisbane Roar and Matildas attacker has been signed by the European giants, but will remain in Australia to complete the Roar’s current campaign. The move continues the exciting rise of the Queenslander who has gone from the A-League and NPLW to the Olympics to the Fraun Bundesliga in the space of 12 months.
Brisbane COO Zac Anderson was thrilled for Freier and The Roar who will receive a club record fee for a women’s player, although he emphasised that the exact number would remain undisclosed.
“It’s been an amazing journey for Sharn,” said Anderson to the media.
“We are super excited for the club to make this announcement.
“Full credit to a number of people. Obviously firstly to Sharn and her dedication to keep growing and keep developing her game, but also to the man on her right Alex Smith who has helped her over the last 18 months to progress her game.
“Theres a bigger story here for Australian Football. We’ve got one of our own, a Brisbane product who has come through the NPLS system into the professional ranks.
“We are just really proud to announce Sharn’s move to Wolfsburg and we’re looking forward to seeing Sharn’s journey as she makes the move in July.”
Frier in her her fourth season with Brisbane after initially joining the club in 2020. Her impact gradually increased over the following season’s culminating in her playing 22 games in 2023/24 and scoring three goals.
The stats do not to her justice though. Freier is an aggressive, unpredictable and dangerous winger whose dribbling style and explosive pace can put defenders off balance and leave them hesitant to make a challenge. She gives herself time on the ball and uses it to create havoc either from the start or off the bench. Freier’s performances for the national team have seen her compared to Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso, and she was dominant in the last national team match against Chinese Taipei.
Despite her obvious talent, Freier is taking nothing for granted. She was a much pursued player and fielded offers after the Olympics, but knows she will have to prove herself at one of the world’s top clubs.
“I’m just going over there to give it everything I’ve got,” Frier told the media.
“I don’t really expect anything to be honest. I know it’s going to be a very big challenge for me.
“Obviously it’s the next level… I’m just going to put my head down and work hard. If I get game time that is the goal, but I’ll put my head down, work hard and see what happens.”
Finishing the season with Brisbane was something Frier felt strongly about. Not only are The Roar in strong trophy contention this season, but for the first time she has been able to play professionally with her sister Laini. The twins have combined for nine goals in the first half of this season. In the meantime Frier can focus on success in the current campaign and begin German lessons.
“Wolfsburg were very accommodating to that,” said Freier.
“I think the season we’ve had so far and this team we’ve got at the club are very special.
“I got to play with her (Laini) for the first time and I didn’t really want to cut that short.
“We’ve got a really good team here… hopefully we could go all the way . I want to be a part of that so I’m really grateful I get to stay and make the move after.
“I’m just trying to push myself a little bit further and see what happens when I get to the Bundesliga.”
A move to Italy was a possibility following the Paris Olympics, but Freier was hesitant to take the leap. Instead she was signed to a two year deal by Brisbane which has ended up netting the club a transfer fee. Something still rare but increasing in the A-League Women. Anderson said that the club intented to reinvest that fee into the women’s program.
“I wanted to take my time,” reflects Freier.
“It’s quite a big move, I’ve never done something like this before, I wanted to make sure it was perfect and Wolfsburg was definitely hitting that and I was obviously very excited about it… I couldn’t turn it down.”
Brisbane Roar coach Alex Smith is a strong promotor of Queensland Women’s football. The Former Peninsula Power coach and Melbourne City assistant says that the talent was obvious when he arrived at the club, and that Freier’s hard work should be the blueprint for others in the competition.
“For her to get a move to a club to Wolsburg it’s a really big thing,” said Smith.
“I could not be happier or prouder of her, I know how much work she’s put in, you go through injuries and all that sort of stuff.
“I don’t know if theres been a better move from a young player in the league in the last 10 years or since the league has been formed.
“To go to a club like Wolfsburg is something that’s fantastic and should be the blueprint for the rest of the players in the league.
“I’m proud to be a very small part in Sharn’s journey. We wish her all the best, but we’ve got a bit to do before then.”
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