Wherever you turned, there were storylines in Round 3 of the Liberty A-League.
Melbourne Victory kick-starting their title defence, Remy Siemsen’s stunning goal earning bragging rights in Sydney and Western United preserving their 100% record.
With a lot to dissect, here are the talking points from Round 3 of the A-League Women season.
Goad for the World Cup?
Defending champions Melbourne Victory claimed their first win of the season after downing Wellington Phoenix 1-0 on Sunday.
Victory and the Phoenix went into the contest bottom of the standings and with back-to-back defeats to begin 2022-23.
But a Melina Ayres header prior to half-time in stifling heat helped kick-start Victory’s title defence, while ending the club’s run of more than 225 minutes without a goal.
Fringe Matildas winger Beattie Goad was superb throughout, as she and playmaker Alex Chidiac created multiple chances.
Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins flagged Goad for international selection ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I can’t see why she can’t be one of the ones that are a real late shout for the Matildas because she’s been probably our best and most consistent player so far this year,” Hopkins said.
“She is the type of player that listens, she works hard, and she’ll get better and better.”
It had been a difficult start to the season for Victory, who lost to newcomers Western United 1-0 before falling 2-0 to Sydney FC in the Big Blue.
“You could feel the tension in the change room before the game,” Hopkins told reporters.
“We understood this was a really important game for us.
“It wasn’t about performance today. It was about the three points – which often is the other way around.”
Sydney star equals a record
The Sydney Derby was all about Remy Siemsen.
Back in the A-League Women after a stint in Sweden, the Sydney FC star scored a sensational goal to help 10-player Sky Blues take down Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday.
The Sky Blues went down a player after captain Natalie Tobin was sent off just before half-time, but Ante Juric’s side were able to still grind out a result, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Siemsen against her former side.
Siemsen’s goal equalled her equal with fellow Matildas striker Caitlin Foord as the top Derby goalscorer with six.
“I’m so happy to be home,” Siemsen said. “I think we were a bit unlucky not to get a few more goals today but it was a good fight.
“To get a goal today against the Wanderers felt really nice.”
Western three from three
Can Western United be stopped?
The newest team on the block in the A-League Women emerged from the jaws of defeat to topple Adelaide United 2-1 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash.
Chelsie Dawber had Adelaide on track to make it three wins from three games on Sunday before Western turned the match on its head in stoppage time.
First, Sydney Cummings equalised in the 91st minute before Emma Robers’ brilliant strike snatched all three points in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
The result preserved Western’s perfect start to the season and sent them top of the table.
City continue where they left off
Melbourne City had a week off in Round 2 thanks to the bye, but they didn’t miss a beat over the weekend.
Having crushed Wellington Phoenix 4-1 in their season opener, City were back at it in a comprehensive 3-0 success against Brisbane Roar.
Goals from Bryleeh Henry, Maria Jose Rojas and Emina Ekic maintained City’s winning start to the campaign.
She was not on the scoresheet but teenage sensation Daniela Galic impressed for City.
So much so, interim head coach Dario Vidosic believes the 16-year-old playmaker can launch herself into Matildas consideration.
“She doesn’t look like a 16-year-old out there,” Vidosic told reporters of Galic, who represented Australia at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
“As long as she keeps in those steps, I would be upset if she wasn’t in the Matildas.
“She’s one that could put her hand up – doesn’t matter how young she is. She’s definitely one for the future.”
The Baisden show in Newcastle
American import Rylee Baisden was the star for Perth Glory in their 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets.
Twice, the Glory led thanks to Baisden but they were pegged back by the Jets at No.2 Sportsground.
In her second start for the Glory, Baisden bagged a double and could’ve had a hat-trick on the road.
“(Baisden) had a huge influence on the game,” Glory head coach Alex Epakis said, with Perth winless after two draws and a loss.
“Once she scored her first goal, her performance went to another level in other areas of her game, she’s a real asset.”
