These were the key talking points after Round 16 in the Liberty A-League, headline by a special night in Bathurst and the red-hot form of two big names after their Matildas recalls.
Where next after a special night in Bathurst?
It was a special night as an incredible 3,873 people turned out to watch Western Sydney Wanderers defeat Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Carrington Park in Bathurst on Friday night.
That figure equates to just under 8% of the central west NSW town’s population, according to the 2022 census – and they produced an atmosphere that will likely create an appetite to take more games on the road to regional centres.
“I’d love (to see a game in) Darwin,” Liberty A-League commentator Teo Pellizzeri said on Dub Zone.
“I think if we can get the Territory government on board, a little bit like the Australia Cup for the men in the middle of last year, that would be awesome. They’re not realistically going to have a team for a long time so if someone could take a game there.
“Also Albury-Wodonga is the other one. I can’t believe a region that has contributed so many men and women to the elite level of the game, Socceroos and Matildas, that they’ve never hosted an A-League Women match.”
Cannuli added: “I’ve been to a few regional places and Morwell, that was an experience, but for me it’s Mudgee.
“I love the town, I’ve been there for a few football tournaments with Southern Districts Football Association. It’s just such a beautiful town, they’ve got great resources there, the fields are absolutely to die for – it’s just a great town to bring people.
“We’ve seen what it’s done in Bathurst, let’s move around and take it to some other towns as well. It’s fantastic not only for young kids in those regions but also for the league.”
43 years young: Barbierbi proves age is just a number
Melissa Barbieri is the oldest player in the Liberty A-League by a distance at the ripe old age of 43, but she’s still contributing and looking at home at this level with Melbourne City.
The veteran goalkeeper – who has 86 caps for the Matildas – denied Princess Ibini from the penalty spot over the weekend to secure a 0-0 draw against Sydney FC.
“We know Bubs is a veteran in this competition, but she’s just a true professional,” Liberty A-League icon Cath Cannuli said on Dub Zone.
“To be (43) years of age and step up, and play at this level, just goes to show what type of professional she is and how she looks after herself.
“Not only is she a great leader on the field but off the field she is a perfect mentor for all the players who are coming through Melbourne City.”
Barbieri had been deputising for Canadian international Lysianne Proulx in the City goal but a record transfer announced last week means the veteran has been thrust into the spotlight to assume the number one role.
But where does that leave City as they seek to consolidate their spot atop the ladder?
“I think the City Football Group will be looking to always add to their stocks; they want to always be up there at the pointy end of the season,” Cannuli continued.
“I think Bubs understands her role within the team; when she is called upon, she does step up, she is there but long-term they know she is not the answer.
“So if a goalkeeper does come up and they can look to next season as well, I’m sure they will jump on it. But if they have to stay with Bubs for the season, I’m sure that is not a bad thing either because we’ve seen time and again, when she is called upon, she does deliver.”
What record fees mean for the Liberty A-League
In the past week, Melbourne City have broken the record for an outbound transfer fee by a Liberty A-League club as they sold Kaitlyn Torpey and Proulx to American sides.
Torpey has joined San Diego Wave, while Proulx has arrived at Bay FC.
“I think this is massive for the City Football Group, for Melbourne City to say they are taking the women’s game seriously, looking to invest in players and then on-sell them,” Cannuli explained.
“It just goes to show where they see the women’s game.
“Now, players will be looking to say, okay if Melbourne City are doing this and selling players to these big clubs for record fees, a lot of players next season are going to look to go to Melbourne City because they are going to be the starting point for players to be able to be sold overseas.
“Not everyone just wants to play in the Liberty A-League, a lot of players want to move on from this league and progress their football. If Melbourne City can provide that, they’ve just shown the opportunities are there.
“You can see by these record fees where the women’s game is going – and it’s fantastic to see that these players are getting sold and the way that women’s football is being shown on the world stage. For me to see where it started to where it is now, it’s a great honour.
She added: “Look at Kaitlyn Torpey for instance; I tried to sign her about three years ago for Western Sydney Wanderers, she decided to go to Melbourne City because of the City Group and where they’re at. Look at where she has gone over the last few years, she has been a fantastic addition to the City team. To see her be sold to San Diego is a credit not only to Melbourne City but to the league and what we can do in Australia.”
Appearing as a guest on Dub Zone, inured Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams added: “It definitely is a league that is progressing. It’s the quality of coaches we’re bringing in now.
“Normally in the past, teams who probably wouldn’t have been in finals contention, how close the league is now. Even though it still has a way to go to reach NWSL or Super League level, it is still there, people are taking our players to go and play for their leagues instead.
“People are watching. Different people and different coaches are watching this league to see who they can take from there.
“So hopefully in a couple of years we are doing the same where we’re looking at these other leagues and we’re going come in here and we’ll make this league just as dominant and competitive as those other ones.”
Heyman & Logarzo celebrate Matildas recall in style
Liberty A-League stars Michelle Heyman and Chloe Logarzo have seen their immense form this campaign rewarded with recalls to the Matildas squad for a pair of Olympic qualifying showdowns against Uzbekistan later this month.
The pair celebrated their returns to the national team in style over the weekend.
35-year-old Heyman scored a brace in Canberra United’s 2-2 draw with Perth Glory to take her tally to 12 for the season, leaving her three goals clear atop the Golden Boot chart.
Logarzo, who has roared back into form after a lengthy battle with injury, scored twice – including a match-winning 92nd minute penalty – to help Western United to a 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
“I think Chloe has been fantastic this season for Western United,” Cannuli said.
“She’s really stepped up, not only as a leader but she’s been scoring goals and creating opportunities. I think Kat Smith coming in and the turnaround for her when that happened has really helped her.
“To see her back in the squad for the Matildas is fantastic. I worked with her in the Women’s World Cup, it was really tough for her to be on the sidelines and heartbreaking to see her go through what she went through.
“To see her work so hard and get through this really hard time for her and get back in there, it’s a credit to Chloe and great to see her in good form in our league.”
Williams added: “It’s amazing seeing Michele where she is right now and performing so well.
“She is obviously having fun, she’s smiling after every game and putting goals in the back of the net. That is a testament to her just enjoying football again and being in a really good place. She has gotten rewarded for that and been called back into the squad. We’ve said it, Tony has said it many times, it’s about performance.”
