These are the key talking points from the eighth episode of Dub Zone, breaking down all the major talking points from the Liberty A-League and women’s football worldwide.
Round 8 of the Liberty A-League delivered plenty more action with Melbourne Victory among the standouts as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Canberra United, extending their unbeaten streak to six matches.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Jets returned to the winners list following a pulsating 4-2 victory over last season’s Grand Finalists Western United.
Matildas World Cup hero Emily van Egmond marked the final appearance of her four-game guest stint with another goal and an assist.
Fellow Matildas veteran and Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lydia Williams joined host Niav Owens, Alicia Ferguson and Catherine Cannuli to dissect all the major talking points on Dub Zone.
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Matildas shot stopper unpacks the evolution of goalkeeping
Melbourne Victory have been on a tear this season and a 2-0 win over a Canberra United side who had notched 15 goals prior to the contest was a case in point.
While the likes of McKenzie Weinert and Kurea Okino have stolen most of the headlines for their attacking exploits, Victory’s solid defence has been integral to their six match unbeaten run.
Speaking on Dub Zone, Victory’s goalkeeper Lydia Williams explained the game plan head coach Jeff Hopkins conceived in an attempt to keep Canberra’s attackers quiet.
“I think after (Canberra’s 5-1) result last weekend, we knew that they’re a team that loves to transition and get a lot of their joy and goals through that so for us it was how do we nullify that attack,” Williams said.
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“If we lose the ball, if they have a period of play – how do we make sure they don’t play to their strengths?”
“I think the defence did an amazing job, Jeff’s message going into the week of how do we stop their strength and continue to play our strength which is keeping the ball in possession and I think we did that really well.”
Victory were already in the ascendancy heading into the second-half, but the red card to Canberra goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln swung the momentum in their favour even further.
Lincoln was sent off after she stepped out the penalty area to foul Rachel Lowe who was fast approaching.
Williams gave her take on the incident, drawing on her personal experience of having to make a decision on the fly in a one-v-one situation with an on-rushing attacker.
“I mean obviously if a team’s defensive line is playing higher up the pitch, as a goalkeeper – depending on what the coach wants and how you are playing – you have to be in line with whatever the height of that game is,” she said.
“But as a goalkeeper when you’re out of the box, you have to win the ball because it is a red card if you don’t.
“Different if you’re in the box, it’s just a yellow card and a penalty so it’s just that decision making of are you coming or are you going? How do you actually win it? Are you staying and letting your defenders go?”
Former Western Sydney Wanderers boss Catherine Cannuli pointed to how the role of goalkeepers has evolved from a mere shot-stopper to becoming an extra body in possession depending on the tactical instructions of the coach.
“The game has evolved so much and the goalkeeper plays such a major part in the way the team is actually set up,” Cannuli said.
“We talk about coaches’ philosophies and before it would be left to more so just the goalkeeper coach, but now we’re going off what the actual head coach wants and in terms of your positioning.”
Williams agreed: “Definitely, I guess it depends on threats of the opposition as well because if it’s speedy wingers or a speedy forward and they’re looking to play transitional all the time you can afford to be higher.
“But if it’s a team that likes to possess the ball, you can drop a little bit more so it really depends on the coaching organisation and how they want to defend first and how that looks as a goalkeeper.”
‘I think we’ll see an influx of Tillies coming home’
Matildas World Cup star Emily van Egmond capped off her final match for Newcastle Jets with a goal and an assist, bringing her total tally to six goal involvements.
The Jets have been lifted by Van Egmond’s arrival, not only for her output in front of goal but also the influence she’s had on the performances of her teammates with the likes of Sarina Bolden feeding off her services.
Now the challenge lies in having to navigate the remainder of the season without the leadership and experience Van Egmond offers.
When asked whether the team can continue on an upward trajectory without Van Egmond, Williams said: “I think it’s just learning, there’s a Matilda with you and it’s like how quickly can you take in the information that she’s given.
“And the playing style and also the coaching points of Gary (Van Egmond) feeding that confidence back into the team and they’ve been on a roll since she’s in the team and it’s just maintaining that.
“They’re in a good head space… if you’re in confidence and in good form, it’s very easy to continue that roll-in.”
Van Egmond was just one of many Matildas stars who returned to the Liberty A-League after spells abroad and there could be more that follow to rack up more match minutes with the 2024 Paris Olympics closing in.
“I think all of us realise that (the Liberty A-League is where) our roots are when we first started,” Williams said.
“Everyone loves home and we saw after the World Cup just how much we love it here and how much it’s been really humbling to give back to the generations of youngsters coming through both girls and boys.
“I think we’ll see an influx of Tillies coming home. Not sure when, but all of us say there’s no place like home.”
While replacing a 139-cap Australia international could prove challenging for the Jets, it presents a golden opportunity for a player to step up and solidify a spot in the top six.
Elise Kellond-Knight mentoring the youth
The Liberty A-League continues to breed a new crop of Aussie talent, many of which have played a starring role this season, including Melbourne Victory’s Alana Murphy.
The 18-year-old was the first graduate from Victory’s Elite Girls Program and has since been a standout talent in the squad, involved in their 2021/22 Championship run and also helped her side in their finals run last term.
Murphy has become a regular starter in the team this season and was heavily involved in Victory’s 2-0 win over Canberra United over the weekend, earning plaudits from head coach Jeff Hopkins.
However, the opportunity for a rising star to be mentored by an experienced international like 113-capped Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight shouldn’t be understated as her leadership both on and off the pitch is sure to have a lasting impact.
“(Kellond-Knight) has so much experience,” Williams said.
“A number of World cups under her belt, professionally overseas as well and to have her mentor the midfield, she just says it plainly how it is and how it can be better and what you strive to be and also having Emily Gielnik in there as well, she gives instruction on how strikers like to receive the ball and we have different players.
“We have (McKenzie) Weinert on the wing who loves the ball in behind and then we love Okino who loves the ball at her feet and how do you identify that on the runs they make.
“It’s been really educational I think for the team this year of having those really experienced players and how you can kind of have open discussions that’s not coaching points, it’s actually players’ point of view of what do I like and how are you going to get the best out of me.”
The collaborative approach instilled by the experienced heads in the team has so far proven successful for Victory and they’ll be hoping to continue their incredible run next weekend as they face arch rivals Melbourne City in a bid to close the gap on the ladder.
