The Ninja A-League 2025-26 season continues this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 18.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 18.
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne City
Friday, February 20 – polytec Stadium – 7:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Central Coast Mariners: 5th
Melbourne City: 1st
Round 17 result
Central Coast Mariners: 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix (A)
Melbourne City: 0-0 draw against Melbourne Victory (H)
The first match of Round 18 sees Central Coast host league leaders Melbourne City, fresh off a big win away to second placed Wellington Phoenix.
The Mariners have had patchy form all season, competing well against top six sides but then dropping points against teams out of finals positions.
Set piece wizard Peta Trimis put her free kick in the top corner for the first goal, before midfielder Tamar Levin scored the deciding goal in just her second start of the season.
Melbourne City had a tougher time of it in the Melbourne derby; possession was shared pretty evenly and City had many more chances, but ultimately couldn’t find a way through the resolute Victory defence.
It was a comfortable win for City when these sides met in Round 2, Holly McNamara and Shelby McMahon grabbed two goals each in the 4-0 rout.
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Friday, February 20 – Home of the Matildas – 7:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Melbourne Victory: 7th
Wellington Phoenix: 2nd
Round 17 result
Melbourne Victory: 0-0 draw against Melbourne City (H)
Wellington Phoenix: 2-1 loss to Central Coast Mariners (H)
After holding first placed Melbourne City to a 0-0 draw at home last week, Melbourne Victory get to back it up with hosting second placed Wellington Phoenix.
Victory conceded more chances than they created against City but goalkeeper Courtney Newbon was unbeatable in goal, making five saves.
Captain Kayla Morrison played her 100th Ninja A-League match for Victory against City and was key in helping her side keep a clean sheet.
Wellington dropped some costly points last weekend, ending their four match winning streak with a 2-1 loss to Central Coast.
American striker Mackenzie Anthony scored Wellington’s goal in what was her first start since joining in January.
These sides met in Round 4 where Pia Vlok’s first ever goal for the Phoenix separated them 1-0.
Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday February 21 – McKellar Park – 4:30pm AEDT
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Current table position
Canberra United: 3rd
Western Sydney Wanderers: 10th
Round 17 result
Canberra United: 1-0 loss to Perth Glory (A)
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1-1 draw against Newcastle Jets (H)
Canberra’s loss to Perth last week pulled them three points off the top of the table, this weekend presents an opportunity to bring them back level with Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix.
Canberra weren’t the first side to be frustrated into drawing a blank against Perth this season, and the fashion in which they conceded the goal in the 1-0 loss – directly from the corner with a failed clearance turning it into the net – just added to the misery.
Western Sydney were kept to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle Jets, their goal coming through a Talia Younis long shot in the first minute of the match.
Western Sydney will be worried about the fitness of their young winger, with Younis being subbed off before half time, then needing ice on her quad.
These sides played out a 1-1 draw when they met in Round 11, Liz Anton and Milly Bennett scored the goals.
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Sunday February 21 – No.2 Sportsground – 5:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Newcastle Jets: 9th
Perth Glory: 8th
Round 17 result
Newcastle Jets: 1-1 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers (H)
Perth Glory: 1-0 win over Canberra United (H)
Newcastle and Perth both need a win here to keep their finals hopes alive, after securing important points last week.
Newcastle went a goal down early against Western Sydney and only managed to equalise in the 78th minute through Melina Ayres.
The point against the resurgent Wanderers keeping them five points off sixth placed Brisbane Roar.
Perth meanwhile had Susan Phongsongkham’s corner turned into the net by a Canberra defender to give them a 1-0 win, bringing them into eighth on the table and within three points of fourth placed Adelaide United.
When these sides met in Round 11, Perth won 1-1 with captain Isobel Dalton scoring in the eighth minute.
Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Sunday February 22 – Spencer Park – 6:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Brisbane Roar: 6th
Adelaide United: 4th
Round 17 result
Brisbane Roar: 4-0 loss to Sydney FC (H)
Adelaide United: Bye
Brisbane were up to first on the live ladder in the middle of their clash against Melbourne City just two weeks ago, now they’ve conceded nine unanswered goals, lost two matches and are down to sixth.
The Roar kept Sydney without a shot on target until half time, it was in the second half where they fell apart to concede four goals.
Before their bye, Adelaide ended the Wanderers winning streak with a 1-0 victory.
A win for Adelaide can take them as high as second, while Brisbane need this to keep their season from spiralling completely out of control.
Brisbane took the three points when these sides met at the start of December in a 3-1 win; Grace Kuilamu scored the first goal, before Bente Jansen scored two more. Erin Healy grabbed the goal for Adelaide.
