Catherine Zimmerman scored a wonder goal for Melbourne Victory, while both Canberra United and Western United demonstrated significant depth in week 15 of the A-League Women.
Week 15 of the A-League Women’s saw the inaugural Pride Round for the competition. Club kits were adorned with rainbow numbers, and Pride themed merchandise was available around the grounds as a reminder that football is for everybody.
On the field, Canberra United defeated Western Sydney 3-0 with a convincing performance. Michelle Heyman scored twice in the opening half. The first coming in the fourth minute to set the tone and give The Wanderers a big hill to climb without Sarina Bolden in the squad.
Sasha Grove finished off a brilliant team move from close range to seal the win, and keep Canberra United’s finals hopes alive.
Perth Glory kept the pressure on the top four with a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar. Hana Lowry took advantage of a slip from Isabella Shuttleworth to score the opener. She added a second with an Olympico before half time.
Sundays’s game saw Sydney FC sneak past Wellington Phoenix with a Rachel Lowe goal from close range. It was a hard fought win by the reining premiers against an organized and dangerous Wellington side. Although it was not their best performances, it was still convincing in its own way. Is they can win the hard way, it is a sign of how rapidly their young side is maturing.
The day started brightly for The Newcastle Jets. The players arrived on the field carrying puppies to raise awareness for dog adoption. Western United were in a less friendly mood, and scored through Kahli Johnson in the sixth minute. After Emily Garnier was shown a straight red in the 18th minute, it became an impossible afternoon for the home side.
Western United piled on six goals by the end of the match to continue their ruthless run at the top of the ladder.
Melbourne Victory hosted Adelaide United in the final match of Pride Round. The festivities were in full flow off the field, while a thrilling draw was played on out it. Melina A took the lead for Victory in the early stages, only for Adelaide to go into the break 2-1 ahead through Meisha Westland and Chelsie Dawber.
Catherine Zimmerman’s wonder strike in the second half drew victory level in a game they could have won with some better finishing and a more forgiving offside flag.
The draw with Adelaide means that Victory need Perth Glory to drop points while they continue to win. The race for the final four is a tight edged as last season.
Week 15 Talking Points
Canberra United’s versatility
Canberra United have a talented squad, but some bold positional moves and tactical switches have made them a genuine threat again following a form dip.
Grace Maher has moved from midfield to centre back. It was a position she has played in Australian youth teams, but rarely at senior club level. It might seem counter productive to move the one of the best passing players in Australia to defence, but it gives Canberra control of the ball at the earliest opportunity.
Maher’s experience and vision sets up play and helps them start attacks from deep areas.
Holly Murray was a central defender at South Melbourne in Victoria’s NPLW, but at Canberra United she has pushed into midfield. It anchors the side and provides support for their dynamic attackers to express themselves.
For much of this season, the prodigiously talented Sasha Grove has been used at right back. Although a free-wheeling attacker for various club and international youth teams, Grove has been disciplined and dependable in defence. Her fitness has allowed other players like Grace Jale to swap positions with her and rest back, while the 18-year-old flies forward for stretches of game time.
Against Western Sydney, Grove was switched to the left side of attack. She was a constant menace with her confident dribbling and direct passing. Her goal came after a flowing end -to end attacking move by the home side, and will surely be the first of many.
Canberra can switch tactics, personnel and formations within a half of football now. They can use this to counter the opposition or play their own stars into form. They are a difficult matchup for any side, and an exciting team to watch.
Sofia Sakalis dominates.
Perth Glory’s win over Brisbane Roar was convincing. Although Katrina Gorry was dominant for Brisbane, Glory’s back four gave up few easy scoring opportunities, and Sadie Lawrence was highly effective sweeping across defence midfield.
Hana Lowry scored two goals and could have had more, but the standout individual for the home side was Sofia Sakalis.
Sakalis was one of the Victorian NPLW’s most entertaining and dangerous players. For Box Hill United, she drifted behind the attack in a playmaking role. Her quick feet and long range shooting earned her the NPLW Gold Medal alongside Glory teammate Sarah Cain.
Sakalis has shown what she is capable of in the A-League Women before, but she was dominant against The Roar on the left of attack.
She dribbled the ball from deep, helped defend from the front and was a constant threat. She hit the crossbar twice after two dangerous runs from the flank, and linked well with Lowry and Isabella Foletta.
It was a full 90 minute performance from a player that looks to be one of the leagues fast rising stars.
Western United march on mercilessly
It was only three weeks ago that questions were starting to be asked of Western United. Without Jess McDonald they suddenly looked vulnerable, but any concerns have since been brushed aside as easily as the Jets appeared to be on Sunday.
Western United’s attack is as lethal as any in the competition and their midfield remains deep even without Chloe Logarzo. Crucially, they can change players without altering the game plan too much, yet the individuals are all versatile enough to adapt to different opponents.
Against sides like Melbourne City, they are comfortable without the ball. Up against a 10 player Newcastle team, they had all the ingredients needed to bury a side when they have the chance.
Kahli Johnson scored her first two goal in the A-League, Hannah Keane continued to march towards a Golden Boot, and Danielle Steer has clearly adapted to Australia instantly.
On the left wing, they have both Tyla Jay Vlajnic, and Angela Beard. On paper, the two experienced fullbacks would be competing for the same position. However, Western United use Vlajnic as an attacker. She has a lethal left foot and is adept at pressing defenders.
This was a brutal display, made all the more impressive by the absence of manager Mark Torcaso. It was yet another reminder of how formidable this side is.
Game to watch next Round: Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City
Dario Vidosic’s Melbourne City side started the season strongly, but come into this game having lost their last two matches before the bye. Of the current top four sides, they may be the most vulnerable on form.
On the bright side, Holly Mcnamara scored on her return to the club after a knee injury. It was only in a friendly against the Young Matildas, but it was a terrific, intelligent, athletic goal. She will bring a spark and invention missing from the team since Maria Rojas departed.
Speaking of which, the Chilean attacker has completed international duty and may return to the team to face a Jets side that has the worst defensive record in the league.
Newcastle still have some exciting attackers, but the loss of Sarah Griffith will be keenly felt and they will need to be at their best to reverse their downward trajectory.
If the Jets can get something from this game, it will be a remarkable result, but given City’s recent performances, it is not impossible. As always in the A-League Women, there is hope.
