The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is still going, but the Ninja A-League 2025-26 season returns this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 19.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 19.
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Friday, March 13 – Coopers Stadium – 7:00pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Current table position
Adelaide United: 3rd
Perth Glory: 5th
Round 18 result
Adelaide United: 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar (A)
Perth Glory: 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets (A)
Adelaide were in some hot form leading into the international break, with four wins from their last five matches.
The Reds can pull themselves into second place with a win at home to Perth, but the Glory also need the win to solidify their spot inside the top six.
Perth came from behind to grab the three points against Newcastle in their last match before the international window, Gabby Hollar scored on the stroke of half time, 18-year-old midfielder Clancy Westaway scored the equaliser before the 85th minute winner from Leticia McKenna.
Adelaide had a comfortable win over Brisbane, Emily Hodgson and Ella Tonkin scoring in the 2-0 victory.
Perth won 1-0 when these sides met just before Christmas, American striker Rola Badawiya scored the decider just before halftime.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Friday, March 13 – No.s Sportsground – 7:00pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Current table position
Newcastle Jets: 9th
Sydney FC: 11th
Round 18 result
Newcastle Jets: 2-3 loss to Perth Glory (H)
Sydney FC: Bye
Between the international break and the bye, Sydney FC haven’t played in three weeks.
The last match they did play was a 4-0 win over Brisbane, with Mackenzie Hawkesby, Willa Pearson, Riley Tanner and Skye Halmarick all on the scoresheet.
Newcastle are winless from their last five matches, they hit the front twice against Perth in their last match before the break, but goals from Emma Dundas and Melina Ayres weren’t enough to secure the points.
Finals are still possible for both the Jets and the Sky Blues, though it will be difficult to catch up to the top six. A win here for either side will go a long way to making the task look a bit more manageable.
A stoppage time winner from Charlotte Lancaster earned Newcastle a 2-1 win when these sides last met on January 13.
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, March 14 – Henry Stadium – 4:00pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Current table position
Wellington Phoenix: 4th
Brisbane Roar: 8th
Round 18 result
Wellington Phoenix: 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory (A)
Brisbane Roar: 2-0 loss to Adelaide United (H)
Wellington started to slip before the international break, first losing to Central Coast then being held to a draw by Melbourne Victory – The Phoenix will be glad to get this opportunity to reset before the final charge of the season.
Brisbane are just one point away from the top six, though they will be without their newest Matilda Chloe Lincoln in goal and Filipino full-back Angie Beard; both still on AFC Women’s Asian Cup duty.
In Lincoln’s absence, Young Matildas’ keeper Tahlia Franco is set to make her first Brisbane Roar appearance since joining from Sydney in the off-season.
A 98th minute equaliser from Wellington’s Brooke Nunn saw the January clash between these sides finish 2-2, after goals from Phoenix full-back Manaia Elliot and Roar duo Ashlyn Miller and Ava Piazza.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, March 14 – Home of the Matildas – 6:00pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Current table position
Melbourne Victory: 6th
Western Sydney Wanderers: 10th
Round 18 result
Melbourne Victory: 1-1 draw against Wellington Phoenix (H)
Western Sydney Wanderers: 3-0 loss to Canberra United (A)
Melbourne Victory have steadied after their midseason dip in form, but they will need a big push in their last three matches of the season to confirm their spot in the top six.
Western Sydney still have a mathematical at making the six, but after the start they had to their season staying off the bottom of the table and leaving rivals Sydney FC down there would be a big positive.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has made a fair dent in the Wanderers’ squad with Filipino Janae DeFazio and Chinese duo Wang Ying, Yuan Cong all still on national duty.
With City’s Holly McNamara still on Matildas duty and Annalise Rasmussen moving to Juventus in January, Victory’s Kennedy White can make a play at the golden boot. The American striker currently has eight goals, three behind Rasmussen and four behind leader McNamara.
4-1 to the Victory was the score when these sides met back in November, White scored three goals and Zoe McMeeken scored one for Melbourne, Danika Matos scored for the Wanderers.
Melbourne City v Canberra United
Sunday March 15 – ctrl:cyber Pitch – 2:00pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Current table position
Melbourne City: 1st
Canberra United: 2nd
Round 18 result
Melbourne City: 3-1 win over Central Coast Mariners (A)
Canberra United: 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers (H)
ctrl:cyber Pitch gets to hold another top-of-the-table clash, when Melbourne City host Canberra United this weekend.
Melbourne City looked to have overcome their form blip before the international break, defeating Brisbane 5-2, playing well in a goalless Melbourne Derby and then beating Central Coast 3-1 with three quick fire second half goals from Bryleeh Henry, Rebekah Stott and Aideen Keane.
Canberra saw off the resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers with Josie Aulicino scoring two and Michelle Heyman grabbing one in a 3-0 win.
The attacking stocks of this match take a bit of a hit with the Matildas still going strong in the Asian Cup, City will be without Holly McNamara and Canberra without Heyman.
McNamara and Heyman both found the back of the net once each when these sides played in December, as well as Emma Hawkins giving Canberra the 2-1 win.
