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 Canberra United’s Josie Aulicino who chalked up the highest score after her brace against the Wanderers in Round 18.
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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 Aulicino up front in the Round 18 Team of the Week are Newcastle Jets sharpshooter Melina Ayres, who scored against Perth at the weekend, and Adelaide United’s Erin Healy, who provided a sublime assist in their win over Brisbane Roar.
In midfield there’s another Newcastle Jet in the form of Emma Dundas whilst Central Coast Mariners’ Matildas star Izzy Gomez features alongside Melbourne City’s Leticia McKenna, all three of whom scored at the weekend.
There’s more Canberra United representation in the defence as Emma Robers forms part of a backline that contains Perth Glory’s Tijan McKenna after her late winner against Newcastle Jets, Melbourne City skipper Rebekah Stott and Adelaide United’s Ella Tonkin.
Finally your goalkeeper in the week’s Team of the Week is once again the impressive Ilona Melegh, with the 17-year-old earning a spot between the sticks after another commanding performance in Round 18.
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.
