Round Ball Australia 
Emily Gielnik in action against Sydney FC during the 2024/25 A-League Women season. Photo: Marcus Robertson/Round Ball Australia
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.
Perth Glory vs Western United (3-0)
Perth Glory: A
Stephen Peters’ side was finally able to showcase what he envisioned prior to the start of the season, as the Glory were near flawless against a Western United side who have hit a mid-season slump.
Kelli Brown showcased why Peters not only signed her, but trusted the former Wellington Phoenix and Macarthur Rams player to lead his attack after she nabbed a brace, her first goals since returning from injury.
Susan Phonsongkham also made her return from a lengthy stint on the sidelines with injury, and scored a penalty to boot, sealing the 3-0 win late on.
For the Glory, it might be a case of too little, too late for the sides finals hopes, but with all the sides in the hunt dropping points every week at the moment, they’re certainly able to give it a red hot crack, and could make the race uncomfortable for a few teams, including the Central Coast Mariners, who they play on Friday night.
Western United: D
Having now only picked up one win in their last five games, Western United are still inside the top six, in part because everyone around them is also failing to win their games.
Kat Smith’s side had nearly 60 per cent of the ball, but failed to find a way past Casey Dumont in the loss.
To make matters worse, Julia Sardo picked up a red card in the 70th minute, and she will be unavailable for the game against Canberra United on Friday night.
If the side is to turn around their current slump and put themselves back in pole position to secure a finals spot with a chasing pack behind them, three points is an absolute must against Canberra.
Poletti
Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC (1-0)
Newcastle Jets: B-
An improvement from the Newcastle Jets as they logged back to back wins for the first time this season. The team looked much more confident taking the game to fellow cellar dwellers Sydney and despite a sole goal being the differentiator they looked much stronger than their opposition here.
A strong display overall from Newcastle was really only let down by their inability to finish their chances as they broke a drought of eight years at home against Sydney FC.
“We looked at ourselves in the international break and we really focused on trying to be more compact and not give away as many chances,” coach Ryan Campbell said when prompted on the recent change in form.
Campbell was also free flowing in his praise for goal scorer Sheridan Gallagher, who overcame illness to play 45 minutes.
“She only trained once this week and produced a shift for the team,” he said.
Campbell also said he was expecting Gallagher to potentially only last thirty minutes.
“It was an unbelievable effort. I thought maybe 30 but she got through to 45, which was a great effort to play like that.”
Sydney FC: D-
Sydney were diabolical, outplayed and flattered in the end by the scoreboard. Questions need to be asked of Ante Juric and his staff as to what they are putting on the paddock.
A line-up that on paper should be at a minimum a finals contender is sitting dead last on the ladder and this display against Newcastle would have done nothing to soothe the anger of Sky Blues fans.
This is a significant fall from grace for a team that has never missed the A-League Women finals in their history and haven’t missed a Grand Final since the 2016-17 season.
With a squad that features a host of internationals and star attacking weapons, the Sky Blues have somehow found a way to struggle to register goals throughout the season, having scored the lowest total of goals in the league.
Where to from here for Sydney? That is the big question.
They have a chance to stave off a dreaded first wooden spoon but recent displays including their lacklustre show in Newcastle last weekend would not fill anyone with confidence.
Chris Macpherson
Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners
Adelaide United: B
The conditions were very hot in the City of Churches on Saturday evening, but Adelaide were up to the task on the field, extending their unbeaten run to 11 straight matches.
Erin Healy scored the games lone goal, further extending the gap to fourth place Western United which is now 10 points.
Claudia Jenkins continued her stellar season in goals, and she has been rewarded with her first Football Ferns call-up.
A tough game against Melbourne City awaits, and if Adelaide can find a way to win, it would blow the Premiership race wide open.
Central Coast Mariners: D
It is now three straight losses on the trot for the Mariners, who still find themselves inside the top six, but time is running out for Emily Husband’s side to turn their form around.
This is a side who has been battered by injuries this season, and has struggled to overcome them at different points.
It was a decent performance by the Mariners against Adelaide, but with Shadeene Evans picking up a second yellow card, it makes the task ahead against the Glory on Friday night all the more tougher, where a fourth straight loss could greatly diminish any chance the Mariners have of playing finals this season pending other results this weekend.
Poletti
Wellington Phoenix vs Western Sydney Wanderers (2-1)
Wellington Phoenix: B+
With all the teams in the hunt for the remaining finals spots dropping points, the Phoenix were finally able to close the gap on the sides above them, coming from behind to beat the Wanderers at Porirua Park.
It was a disaster start, with a miscommunication at the back gifting Bronte Trew a goal, but the recovery was world class from Paul Temple’s side, and they were rewarded with the win.
Mebae Tanaka finally scored her first goal in the competition, after her goal in Round 1 was changed to a Sasha Grove own goal, and it was well worth the wait, with Olivia Fergusson sealing the win in the 86th minute.
For the Phoenix, an away trip to face the last-placed Sky Blues awaits, and a win over Sydney FC in expected hot conditions on Saturday afternoon could see the Nix inside the top six with only a few weeks remaining in the home-and-away season.
Western Sydney Wanderers: C-
The Wanderers started this game on the right foot, before falling away in the later stages of the contest, suffering their 11th loss of the season.
On a positive note for Geoff Abrahams side, the young players in the squad showed they can compete at this level, and it gives the Wanderers a clear path for not only the rest of the season, but for next season as well.
The youth is the future for the Wanderers, and the clubs management needs to make sure the coaching staff and Abrahams gets all the support they need to make that a reality in the 2025/26 season.
Poletti
Melbourne Victory vs Canberra United (2-0)
Melbourne Victory: B+
Welcoming back recently capped Matildas midfielder Alana Murphy was a boon to a Melbourne Victory side who are continuing to nip at the heels of the undefeated Melbourne City.
Victory overcame oppressive heat in Bundoora to control possession and territory against a dangerous Canberra United side and set up a crucial three points in their run home.
City’s defence was impregnable and the combined efforts of Claudia Bunge and Courtney Newbon was largely responsible for warding off a number of Canberra attacks and ensuring the side in green were unable to register any meaningful shots on target in the first stanza.
Victory fans were crestfallen when captain Kayla Morrison’s goal was scratched off in the 68th minute for offside, but their wait to celebrate in full was brief as they scored through the efforts of substitute Holly Furphy. A second goal followed soon after from Emily Gielnik to add security for Victory.
The crucial three points which were far from pretty keep the Premiership race well and truly alive.
Canberra United: C
Canberra looked stylish in ball movement, set up and build up but through the defensive prowess of Melbourne Victory, struggled to threaten the scorers.
The side from the nations capital entered the game with a terrible record against Victory having not won in over seven years. Their first half showed why that trend was set to continue with just one shot on goal coming from long range.
As has been an issue for United all season, finishing at the pointy end of the field was non existent as the Victory central defenders stood tall seeing off waves of build up from Canberra without even shots being fired off. This improved in the second half especially with the introduction of Michelle Heyman.
Some positives for Canberra though were the majority of their defensive efforts especially in the second half where they defended into a strong wind.
Canberra need to find the killer punch in the final third if they are to clinch a finals berth from their current position of just outside the top six.
Chris Macpherson
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