The Ninja A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 22 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 22.
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Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets
Friday, April 11 – AAMI Park – 4:50pm AEST
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Melbourne City head into their Round 22 clash with Newcastle Jets knowing Friday night could be the night they seal a second-consecutive Premiership.
Leading rivals Melbourne Victory by two points at the top of the ladder, City will clinch the Premier’s Plate if they knock off the Jets and Victory fail to beat the Mariners in the game directly after City have played.
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With two games left in the campaign City have the Premiership in their hands whilst they’re also on track for an ‘invincible’ season given they’re yet to taste defeat in 21 matches.
As for the Jets, Ryan Campbell’s side head to Victoria knowing they can’t play finals football this season given they currently sit 11th on the ladder however a win or even a point against City will likely ensure they avoid the wooden spoon.
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
Friday, April 11 – Industree Group Stadium – 7pm AEST
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Following on from the Melbourne City v Newcastle game the Mariners play host to Melbourne Victory in another game that has huge ramifications at the top of the ladder.
For the Mariners, Emily Husband’s side have finals qualification in their own hands: One more point from their remaining two matches will guarantee them a spot in the top six OR they’ll do so if Brisbane Roar fail to win this weekend.
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As for Melbourne Victory, well the task is simple: Victory against the Mariners on Friday night is almost a must if they’re to keep their Premiership hopes alive.
Currently sat two points behind Melbourne City at the top of the ladder, Victory could well find themselves five points behind their rivals come kick off time given City host Newcastle Jets in the opening game of the round.
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Saturday, April 12 – Allianz Stadium – 2:10pm AEST
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With four wins in their last five matches, Sydney FC have soared up the Ninja A-League ladder and still harbour hopes of qualifying for the finals.
However, despite sitting ninth on the ladder and five points behind Canberra United in sixth, the reigning Champions will need to win their remaining two matches this season against Perth (H) and Adelaide (A) whilst also hoping the teams above them drop points.
Sat one spot below Sydney in 10th but level on points with the Sky Blues are Perth Glory, who head to Allianz Stadium knowing really only a win will do if they’re to make the top six.
Detrimental to their hopes of victory though is the fact the Glory will be without defender Natalie Tathem after she underwent surgery on her injury ACL.
Western United v Adelaide United
Saturday, April 12 – Ironbark Fields – 4pm AEST
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Western United host Adelaide in the penultimate round of fixtures with both sides knowing they’ve already locked in finals football.
Fourth on the ladder, the key for Western now is whether or not they can secure themselves a home elimination final given they have Central Coast Mariners breathing down their necks to secure fourth spot.
With back-to-back wins in their last matches Kat Smith’s side are full of confidence and with a home clash against Adelaide and away trip to Wellington left in their season, they’ll believe they can end the regular season on a high note.
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Having secured a spot in the finals and indeed third spot on the ladder some time ago now, Adelaide United travel across the border into Victoria looking to continue their run of three wins in their last five matches.
Whilst they were defeated by Melbourne Victory before the international break, Adrian Stenta’s side remain confident of beating any team in the league and with Fiona Worts on nine goals for the campaign, she’ll be hoping to chase down Golden Boot leaders Emily Gielnik and Holly McNamara (12) at the top of the charts.
Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers
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Sunday, April 13 – Perry Park – 3pm AEST
Sunday is quite literally a season-defining game for both Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers in the Ninja A-League.
The Roar are on a wretched run of form with five-straight losses seeing them tumble out of the finals positions with just two games left in their season.
However, a game against the league’s bottom side could be the perfect opportunity for Roar to bounce back to winning ways and re-ignite their finals push as they now sit two points behind sixth-placed Canberra United.
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As for the Wanderers, Geoff Abrahams’ side are rooted to the bottom of the ladder and must win this game against Brisbane to have any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
Now five points adrift of Newcastle Jets in 11th, the Wanderers will hope reigning Julie Dolan Medalist Sophie Harding can recapture her goalscoring form as they look to overhaul the Jets before the season finishes next weekend.
Canberra United v Wellington Phoenix
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Sunday, April 13 – McKellar Park – 3pm AEST
Kicking off at the same time as Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday will be Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix – both of whom are still competing to play finals football.
Heading into Round 22 it’s Canberra United who occupy the keys to sixth spot in the league and they know they should they defeat the Phoenix on Sunday and results elsewhere go their way then they will seal a return to finals football in head coach Antoni Jagarinec’s first season in charge.
Meanwhile we’re all set for a celebratory atmosphere on Sunday in the nation’s capital as A-Leagues icon Michelle Heyman gets set to play her 200th Ninja A-League game.
On the other side of the equation are Wellington Phoenix. Sat eighth on the ladder and four points behind Canberra, the Nix simply have to win this game to stand a chance of featuring in the post-season spectacle.
What will be a worry for head coach Paul Temple though is the fact the Phoenix have won just ONCE in their last five games with the other four results all being defeats.
