The Ninja A-League continues this week with three midweek fixtures and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of the Round 9 contests in 2024-25.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 9.
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Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
Wednesday, January 8 – No.2 Sportsground 5:30pm kick-off AEDT
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Adelaide United are eyeing a drought-ending victory away to Newcastle Jets on Wednesday night.
The fourth-placed Reds, coming off their first ever win over Central Coast Mariners, have not beaten the Jets on the road since February 2021, though they were victorious earlier this season they took down Newcastle 2-0 on home soil in December.
Semi-Finalists in 2023-24, the Jets are three matches without a win (L2 D1) as they sit ninth in the standings – four points outside of the top six.
Team news
Newcastle Jets squad: 2. Josie WILSON, 3. Claudia CICCO, 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 7. India BREIER, 8. Emma DUNDAS, 10. Libby COPUS-BROWN, 11. Deven JACKSON, 13. Lauren ALLAN, 17. Sheridan GALLAGHER, 18. Sophie HOBAN, 22. Lorena BAUMANN, 24. Milan HAMMOND, 25. Lara GOOCH, 26. Josie ALLAN, 27. Chloe WALANDOUW, 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON, 32. Claire ADAMS, 51. Ally BOERTJE
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 25. Lara GOOCH
Outs: 1. Danielle KRZYZANIAK, 4. Natasha PRIOR, 9. Bel ROLLEY, 19. Ava PIAZZA, 23. Gia VICARI
Adelaide United squad: 1.Annalee GROVE, 2.Emily HODGSON, 3.Meleri MULLAN, 4.Matilda MCNAMARA, 5.Sarah MORGAN, 8.Emily CONDON, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 12.Nanako SASAKI, 13.Ella TONKIN, 14.Lucía LEÓN, 17.Zoe TOLLAND, 18.Lara KIRKBY, 19.Katie BOWLER, 21.Claudia JENKINS, 22.Erin HEALY, 23.Fiona WORTS, 27.Sian DEWEY, 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS.
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Tiarna KARAMBASIS (concussion protocols) 11.Isabel HODGSON (foot), 16.Dylan HOLMES (hip)
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Wednesday, January 8 – Perry Park 7:00pm kick-off AEDT
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Will the Laini Freier show continue against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night.
Freier has enjoyed an incredible start to life as a professional footballer in the A-Leagues. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals in six appearances, with those goals coming in her last three matches to lead the Golden Boot race. The twin sister of CommBank Matildas forward Sharn Freier, Laini struck against Canberra United last week, having become the first player in the history of the competition to record back-to-back hat-tricks.
Second-placed Brisbane – who have not beaten the Melbourne-based club since their 6-0 rout in January 2021 – are coming off a shock defeat to Canberra and must dust themselves off for the visit of Victory, who are only adrift of the Roar on goal difference.
Victory led 4-2 against Western Sydney Wanderers after 87 minutes on Sunday but conceded twice at the death to sensationally draw.
Team news
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS, 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 8. Mariel Hecher, 9. Danelle TAN, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 11. Sharn FREIER, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 32. Alicia WOODS, 33. Olivia SEKANY
Ins: 8. Mariel HECHER, 10. Grace KUILAMU
Outs: 12. Tamar LEVIN, 23. Isabela HOYOS
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 22. Ruby CUTHBERT (hamstring)
Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix
Thursday, January 9 – Wanderers Football Park 7:00pm kick-off AEDT
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Western Sydney Wanderers will be full of confidence heading into Thursday’s showdown with in-form Wellington Phoenix.
The second-bottom Wanderers emerged from the jaws of defeat to snatch a 4-4 draw against Victory at the Home of the Matildas as reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Sophie Harding enjoyed a return to form with two goals.
Sixth-placed Wellington, meanwhile, have lost just one of their past six fixtures after taking down Perth Glory last week.
The Phoenix have won the past two meetings between the two teams.
