A-League Women Report Card Round 15: M for Murphy

Each week during the A-League Women season, Round Ball Australia hands out a report card for the competition based on how the teams performed across the weekend’s fixtures.

Adelaide United vs Perth Glory (3-0)

Adelaide United: A-

Adelaide continued to extend the club’s record for women’s games undefeated in a row, now sitting at eight after defeating the visiting Perth Glory. 

Erin Healy opened the scoring after the home side survived some early scares, before Chelsie Dawber doubled the lead and Healy added the final goal in second-half stoppage time.

The biggest problem with this game is that hardly anyone saw it, as it kicked-off at 4:20pm local time on a Friday as part of a double-header, the third time this season Adelaide have been in this situation.

If the league wants to persist with double headers, they can not be scheduled like this, especially if the APL wants the A-League Women to grow.

Perth Glory: D-

The Glory looked okay in patches of this game, but otherwise this was a very comprehensive defeat suffered by the visitors.

In a week where the injury list got bigger, they were able to welcome back Kelli Brown from injury, who was substituted into the game for Miku Sunaga in the 67th minute.

Stephen Peters is running out of healthy players to take part in games, and with Caitlin Doeglas’ injury-replacement deal set to run out, he would be hoping Brown is back to full-fitness soon.

It also doesn’t get easier, as they play the Phoenix next who are desperate for a win to make finals, but the only advantage is the Glory won’t have to travel for the Distance Derby.

Poletti

Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory (1-1)

Wellington Phoenix: B+

Although Wellington will be disappointed not to have come away with three points at home from a winning position, there’s no denying that Paul Temple has evolved his side from the one that was struggling in the first part of the season. 

Defensively, they’ve actually been sound, having not conceded more than two goals since the opening round. The 4-4-2 formation and slight tweaks here and there have ensured their defence turns into attack. 

Annalie Longo continues to be one of Wellington’s standouts this season. Aside from her assist against Victory, her ability to push forward and slot in a central position up top where she slides in next to the two centre forwards is a constant weapon. 

Melbourne Victory: C+

Travelling across the Ditch is by no means an easy task, and that was proven correct when they conceded a sloppy goal from a corner 90 seconds in. 

From there, it was a real struggle at times to get a foothold on proceedings, but the most worrying part from a Victory perspective was the countless times they were picked apart whether it be crosses whipped into the box or set piece plays. The marking was all over the place, in all honesty. 

Yet when the going gets tough, Jeff Hopkins’ side always seem to pull out a result when they need to put in a shift, albeit an ugly one. 

Nikki Flannery got on the score sheet with a beautifully-taken finish, but the stand out once again was Alana Murphy in the middle of the park, offering critical protection for a fragile back four who seemed lost at sea, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Murphy received a Matildas call-up in place of the injured Clare Wheeler for the SheBelieves Cup. 

Christian Montegan

Canberra United vs Central Coast Mariners (1-1)

Canberra United: C

Central Coast Mariners: C

A slight change to the format here, because despite what some of the stats might have suggested, this was a very even game between the two sides, who had a near similar performance, and therefore it makes sense to combine them into one. 

Both sides had three shots on target for one goal a piece, with the Mariners having two shots more overall (13 to 11).

Both sides had defensive lapses, both played well in midfield and both had chances to win it late, but could only find the woodwork.

The Mariners have now made it five straight without loss, whilst Canberra moved to four without loss, as they sit in sixth and seventh respectively on the ladder.

Emily Husband’s side travel to Melbourne to face the Victory, while Antoni Jagarinec’s side travel to Adelaide. 

A win for either of these sides could see them in the driver’s seat for one of the remaining spots in the top six, while a loss for either would put a massive dent in their finals hopes.

Poletti

Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City (0-2)

Newcastle Jets: D

It was another rinse and repeat effort for the Jets. Unfortunately for their fans, that is not a good thing after some of the recent performances their team has dished up.

It was a clear cut case of being outplayed by Melbourne City for Newcastle, and the biggest positive for the Jets was that City didn’t execute anywhere near their best. 

To the Jets credit they did create some attack and some shots on goal but on the whole they lacked any real threat to what they delivered. The lack of punch was clearly reflected by the statistic that of the Jets 21 shots, 15 were from outside the 18 yard box, a case of hit and hope.

Newcastle can put to rest any hope of returning to the finals this season, and despite some glimpses of positivity throughout the season, they are fading fast as the team is a step off the pace when it comes to taking on the top teams.

It looks like for some of their squad the season length is providing a challenge, and when you consider many of their squad played NPL in the off season, load management in a small young squad would be great, but is unlikely achievable.

Melbourne City: B-

Melbourne City all but have one hand on the premiership with seven games to play in their season, and their performance on Saturday suggested they might think it is all but theirs from here. Despite taking three points away from a young Newcastle outfit there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Despite having a line up scattered with international talent and almost two thirds of possession City were far from demonstrating that they are the undefeated league leaders in this clash. They were at times casual, and others not their usual organised selves which fortunately Newcastle were unable to capitalise on.

Coach Michael Matricciani’s facial expressions ranged from frustrated to disappointed to mildly satisfied throughout which tells you much of what you need to know about the performance. Not up to Melbourne City’s standard throughout their undefeated campaign thus far.

If they are to keep to their goal of an undefeated premiership, Matricciani may need to turn up the heat somewhat to ensure any complacency is burned away. 

Chris Macpherson

Sydney FC vs Western United (1-2)

Sydney FC: C-

After signing 2024 NPL Victoria Women’s keeper of the year Bethany Mason-Jones midweek, she found herself starting for her new club as both Brianna Edwards and Tahlia Franco were dropped from the match-day squad. Unfortunately for Mason-Jones, she conceded two first half goals.

It is the latest in a series of interesting choices by Ante Juric this season that has fans baffled and confused. Edwards is good enough to get a call-up to the Football Ferns, but has now been dropped for the second time this season by Juric.

Elsewhere, Hawkesby started as a striker for the second straight week, this time scoring, but with the Sky Blues looking far better on the ball once Farrow came in at half-time and she dropped back into midfield.

Unfortunately for Farrow, she copped a nasty knock ending her game barely after she had come on, with Amber Luchtmeijer getting an extended run at striker as a result.

Whilst the Sky Blues aren’t mathematically eliminated from finals contention yet, they’re well on the path to miss the finals for the first time in the history of the competition, and with Sydney United off to a shaky start in the NPL NSW Men’s, things are going to get worse before they get better for dual-club coach Juric.

Western United: B

After being on the receiving end of a 5-1 hammering mid-week against Melbourne City, Western United could not have asked for a better game to play next.

It was not the prettiest performance by any stretch, but it was a solid enough performance to get the job done against a Sydney FC side languishing near the bottom of the table.

A big criticism of Western in the first half of the season was an inability to string results together, but they have now got points in five of their last six games, and are looking like the side we all thought they would be before the season started.

Whilst first place is likely out of the question, a second place finish and a week off is well on the cards for the Tarneit-based side, and something Kat Smith would likely have circled as a priority.

Poletti

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar (2-1)

Western Sydney Wanderers: B+

Just when you’ve written off the Wanderers as no hope, they somehow find a way to earn the unlikeliest of victories, this time a 2-1 win against an in-form Brisbane side. 

Without the presence of Sophie Harding, the Wanderers demonstrated that they are more than just one player, combining to create promising passages of play to create holes in the Roar’s midfield. 

Don’t let the table fool you. This is a talented side and can cause problems to any team when they’re up for it. But the real issues have been off-field, and until they find that stability, results like these will keep popping up sporadically, if that. 

Brisbane Roar: C

Despite dominating possession, truth be told, Brisbane could’ve utilised the ball more appropriately whether it be finding better passes or improving decision-making. 

A special strike from Zara Kruger in the 67th minute should’ve been the catalyst to complete the comeback, but Alex Smith will have a couple of tactical selection dilemma’s after that performance. 

One of them being Tameka Yallop’s role, because when she is played in a more advanced role as she was against the Wanderers, she is effective, but at the same time, an important piece is missing in the centre of the park. 

With four losses in their last five matches, it’s close to hitting the panic button ahead of finals football. 

Christian Montegan

Listen to the latest episode of The Dubcast, Round Ball Australia’s Women’s Football podcast on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube, with new episodes every Wednesday.