Another round done and what a weekend of action it was in the Liberty A-League.
There was an American celebrating a memorable hat-trick for Newcastle Jets as Western United preserved their perfect start to life in the competition, while Tony Gustavsson was among the spectators in the second round.
With a lot to dissect, here are the talking points from Round 2 of the A-League Women season.
Griffith hat-trick snaps Newcastle drought
There was a career first for Sarah Griffith over the weekend.
The American attacker took home the match ball for the first time in her career after scoring a hat-trick in Newcastle Jets’ 4-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
It was the perfect treble for Griffith, who scored a goal with each foot in the first half at Scully Park, where she added a third with her head in the second period.
Griffith’s hat-trick helped the Jets claim their first victory since December 2021.
Newcomers Western two from two
They are the new girls on the block but Western United have been unstoppable through two rounds.
Western became the third team in ALW history to win their opening two matches thanks to a 4-1 rout of Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
American strike duo Jessica McDonald and Hannah Keane inspired the newcomers to a big win on the road.
“It’s great to start this club on the right note. I’m excited,” fellow American Hillary Beale said.
Adelaide make ALW history
Adelaide United snapped their finals drought last season – the club’s trip to the semi-finals ended a 15-year wait.
Two rounds into the 2022-23 campaign and the Reds – joint top of the table – have created more history.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Perth Glory marked the first time in Adelaide’s history that they have started a Liberty A-League season with two wins on the trot.
“I wouldn’t mind some silverware, that would be nice,” said Adelaide head coach Adrian Stenta when asked what history he had on his mind.
“I think these guys are capable of it. I’m not setting any limits on this team.”
‘Big Blue’ revenge for Sydney
Sydney FC won the Premiership last season but lost the Grand Final to rivals Melbourne Victory, so Round 2 was not an ordinary week for the Sky Blues.
While silverware was not on the line at Cromer Park, Sydney exacted some revenge courtesy of a 2-0 win over the defending champions.
Prized Sydney recruit Madison Haley opened the scoring before an own goal settled the contest, giving the Sky Blues their first three points of the season while leaving Victory reeling after consecutive defeats.
“Winning is just great,” Cortnee Vine told Dub Zone afterwards. “Can’t complain. It’s always nice playing Victory. Obviously brings back a lot of emotions from the past couple of years.”
The national team coach observes the Grand Final rematch
Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson was in the stands as reigning premiers Sydney FC took down champions Victory on home soil.
Gustavsson – now based in Australia – is in the final months of his preparation for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in July next year and was out and about at Cromer Park, where the likes of Vine, Remy Siemsen, Alex Chidiac, Elise Kellond-Knight and Jada Whyman were in action.
He gave a ringing endorsement of the Liberty A-League post-game.
“It’s a phenomenal pathway for a player that goes into the national team. Look at every national team player that represented Matildas now,” the Swede said on Dub Zone. “At some point they have gone through the A-League to be where they are today.
“So A-League is a very, very important pathway for players. But we also said it’s important players play at the highest level possible. So in that sense, I think it’s a bit early now to say what the standard is in A-League.
“Like if you compare this game for example, with Sydney and Melbourne to last year’s final, I don’t think neither of the team right now is at the same level as they were in the final last year but that’s natural.
“It’s been a short pre-season and I’m sure the coaches are going to work hard to improve the standard throughout the season.”
A Matildas striker stays hot in Brisbane
Two games and two goals.
That is the story for Brisbane Roar’s Australia international Larissa Crummer, who was on target in the 1-1 draw with Canberra United.
After Grace Jale opened the scoring for Canberra, Matildas forward Crummer equalised eight minutes into the second half at Perry Park.
“Larissa is in a rich vein of form,” Roar head coach Garrath McPherson said.
“She’s got a goal in each of our game’s so far and it was a big goal for us today in what were very tough conditions for both teams.”
The Roar have four points from two games, while Canberra are coming off back-to-back draws.
