The Ninja A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 17 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 17.
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Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday, February 28 – Industree Group Stadium – Kick-off 4:50pm AEDT
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Central Coast Mariners kick off Round 17 looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Melbourne Victory last time out in the Ninja A-League.
Currently occupying the final spot inside the top six, Emily Husband’s side know a win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Industree Group Stadium could see them finish the round as high as fourth on the ladder and, crucially, give them a buffer between themselves and the chasing pack.
Slowly rising up the table though are Geoff Abrahams’ Western Sydney side who return from the international break fresh off back-to-back victories.
A 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle Jets in Round 16 saw the Wanderers move up to 10th and while finals football is likely to be a big ask for them, they have moved clear of bottom side Sydney FC and are intent on charging up the ladder.
Canberra United v Melbourne City
Saturday, March 1 – McKellar Park – Kick-off 4pm AEDT
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Sat seventh and within striking distance of the Ninja A-League’s top six, Canberra United will feel as though they have nothing to fear when facing league leaders Melbourne City in Round 17.
Just a point outside the top six, Antoni Jacarinec’s Canberra have lost just once in their last eight games – a 2-0 defeat to Sydney FC in their abandoned Round 9 clash – and have actually recorded five wins during that time.
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Drawing their last two matches against Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners respectively, Jagarinec will have some tactical decisions to make ahead of the clash against City though given star striker Michelle Heyman is currently away with the CommBank Matildas at the SheBelieves Cup.
They do though come up against a side looking to equal a Ninja A-League record this weekend in Melbourne City. Still unbeaten, Michael Matricciani’s side have reeled of three straight wins ahead of Round 17, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in the process.
With a tally of 11 victories and six draws for the season, Matricciani and Co. know a win against Canberra will not only enhance their lead at the top but also see them equal the competition record of 18 matches unbeaten, jointly held by Brisbane Roar (2008-09), Canberra United (2011-12) and City themselves (2015-16).
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Saturday, March 1 – No.2 Sportsground – Kick-off 4:30pm AEDT
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Beaten 4-1 by Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 16, Newcastle Jets head coach Ryan Campbell will be aiming to end their run of 10 matches without a win this weekend.
Having lost five of their last six matches, the Jets now find themselves sat in 11th place on the ladder and just a point above reigning champions Sydney FC who sit rock bottom.
Already possessing the leakiest defence in the competition with 38 goals conceded, the Jets’ task of keeping a clean sheet will be made even more difficult with the fact key defender Tash Prior remains on international duty with the Matildas at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States.
As for Perth Glory, Stephen Peters’ side have been somewhat inconsistent of late but will be hoping to cash in on the Jets’ defensive frailties when they travel to No.2 Sportsground this weekend.
Holding on for a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Round 16, Glory now sit ninth on the ladder and while they remain nine points outside the finals positions, they certainly won’t be giving up hope of pulling off mission impossible before season’s end.
Western United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, March 1 – Ironbark Fields – Kick-off 6pm AEDT
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Western United occupy fourth spot heading into the latest round of Ninja A-League action as they prepare for a local derby against Melbourne Victory.
With two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five matches, Kat Smith’s side sit one point ahead of Brisbane Roar, albeit having played one game more, and crucially occupy the all important final top four spot.
Travelling to Ironbark Fields on Sunday though will be a Melbourne Victory side sure to give Western a stern examination of their finals credentials.
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Sat second but seven points behind runaway leaders Melbourne City, Jeff Hopkins’ side have chalked up four wins in their last six matches and will be hoping to claw back some ground on their fiercest rivals in a bid to clinch the Premier’s Plate.
Victory though will be without midfielder Alana Murphy who is away on international duty with the Matildas, whilst Western will also be without goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln for the same reason.
Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Sunday, March 2 – Porirua Park – Kick-off 2pm AEDT
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They may well be eighth on the ladder and four points outside the top six but Wellington Phoenix will be hoping fortress Porirua Park will help them bag a much needed win over Adelaide this weekend.
The Nix are unbeaten in their last five home games in New Zealand and have only lost once there this season, a 1-0 defeat to Canberra in Round 2, and only Melbourne City have a higher win percentage (78%) at home this season than Paul Temple’s side (67%).
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Conceding just 19 goals all season, only City, Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners have conceded fewer (16 goals) and the Nix will need to be on their guard this weekend.
Third-placed Adelaide United are hot on the heels of second-placed Melbourne Victory and have won three of their last five matches.
In fact the Reds arrive in Wellington unbeaten in their last nine matches and won the previous encounter against the Nix 2-1 thanks to goals from Emily Condon and Chelsie Dawber, the latter bagging six goals in her last six games.
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, March 2 – Leichhardt Oval – Kick-off 5pm AEDT
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With their hopes of playing finals football all but mathematically gone, reigning champions Sydney FC will be playing for pride for the remainder of the Ninja A-League season.
Sat dead last on the ladder with just 10 points from 16 games, the Sky Blues head into their home clash with Brisbane Roar having lost their last four games in a row conceding nine goals in the process.
Something that may given Ante Juric and his side hope though is that they face a Brisbane Roar side that has hit the skids in recent weeks.
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Previously flying high towards the top of the ladder, the Queenslanders now find themselves in fifth spot following a slump in form which has seen them lose three of their last five games.
Furthermore, Alex Smith’s side will have to cope with the absence of several key players for the trip to the Harbour City.
Freier Twins Sharn and Laini are both unavailable with the former out injured for the season and the latter away with the Matildas on international duty, while skipper Tameka Yallop is also away with the national team at the SheBelieves Cup.
