Catch up on the Ninja A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The Ninja A-League 2025-26 season continued with plenty of entertainment and drama over the weekend.
There were plenty of top performers to pick from this week but it’s Sydney FC’s Heather Hinz who scored the most points after another commanding display.
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*Editor’s Note: The Team of the Week features matches played from Monday to Sunday, meaning several teams may have played multiple matches during the allotted window.
Team of the Week
Joining Hinz in this week’s Team of the Week are Sky Blues teammates Mackenzie Hawkesby, Madison Ayson and Riley Tanner – all of whom shone for Sydney FC as they thrashed Brisbane Roar 4-0.
Alongside the four Sydney FC players are a trio of Western Sydney Wanderers, with Yuan Cong, Amy Chessari and Talia Younis featuring after helping the side secure a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
Jets duo Natasha Prior and Melina Ayres also feature in the side after playing in that draw, with Ayres bagging the crucial equaliser in the 78th minute.
Meanwhile Central Coast defender Lorena Baumann features at left back after helping the Mariners beat Wellington whilst Melbourne Victory’s Claudia Bunge also features following a solid display in the Melbourne Derby.
What is the Opta Points system?
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
