Following a scintillating opening round of the new Ninja A-League campaign, aleagues.com.au brings you all the post-match analysis and reaction from some of the weekend’s key players.
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Western Sydney Wanderers 1-3 Perth Glory
MATCH REPORT: Ninja A-League’s back with a bang! Glory blitz ends 2-year drought
Friday night’s 3-1 win over Western Sydney was a special one for Perth Glory for a number of reasons.
First on the list was the fact Stephen Peters’ side finally brought about an end to their away day woes in the Ninja A-League, a record which has blighted them since 2023.
“A drought-breaking win for Perth Glory,” said Network 10 commentator Ben Homer as referee Isabella Mossin blew the full-time whistle.
“Their first away win in almost two years. A match which kicked off an hour and 15 mins after it was meant to.
“Lightning delays, storms and finally Perth Glory get to celebrate a monumental win on the road.
“Now they can begin to build some momentum this season.”
Second on that list was the fact goalscorer Gabby Hollar found the back of the net for the first time since January.
Recruited ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, American forward Hollar arrived with plenty of goalscoring pedigree.
The 25-year-old bagged three goals in 13 appearances last season and would likely have found the net on a more regular basis were it not for a serious season-ending injury.
Out of action from January onwards, Hollar was diagnosed with a series of blood clots which meant she required medication and was therefore unable to both play and travel with the side.
Sydney FC 2-2 Melbourne City
MATCH REPORT: A Matilda returns and a 14yo stars on debut as Sydney FC, City share points in four-goal draw
Ante Juric
Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric admits he was disappointed his side weren’t able to come away from Leichhardt Oval with all three points on Saturday afternoon, drawing 2-2 with reigning Premiers Melbourne City.
Furthermore, the Sky Blues boss also discussed his decision to start 14-year-old Willa Pearson against City, as she became the youngest player in Ninja A-League history.
Check out the full post-match interview with Juric below.
Willa Pearson
Fresh off making her Ninja A-League starting debut, 14-year-old Willa Pearson spoke with Paramount+ after the full-time whistle.
The young defender shone on debut, especially when it came to marking CommBank Matildas forward Holly McNamara.
Check out Pearson’s interview below.
Holly McNamara
Fresh off international duty, CommBank Matildas forward Holly McNamara was back in the starting line-up for reigning Premiers Melbourne City on Saturday.
Twice City found themselves behind at Leichhardt Oval but goals from Shelby McMahon and Aideen Keane saw Michael Matricciani’s side claim a point in the Harbour City.
Check out the full interview with McNamara below.
Brisbane Roar 3-2 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: Lightning, 5 goals, a dramatic comeback and a 1-hour delay: Roar win on a wild night in Brisbane
Alex Smith
Brisbane Roar head coach Alex Smith says he couldn’t be prouder of his side after they battled both the elements and a powerful Melbourne Victory side to claim an opening round win at Spencer Park.
Goals from Bente Jansen, Sharn Freier and Tameka Yallop fired Roar to a thrilling 3-2 win over last season’s beaten Grand Finalists, in a game that was initially delayed by more than 20 minutes due to lightning strikes in the area before then being postponed for more than an hour due to more lightning strikes right on the cusp of full time.
READ MORE: Roar coach sings Dutch star’s praises after debut to remember: ‘Much more to come’
“I don’t think you’re going to get any more adversity than that in a game of football this season,” said Smith when speaking to the media post-game.
“So just super proud of the way the girls handled themselves. The staff were phenomenal. You know, we had to come on, come off – that last little bit was something I’d never experienced in football before.
“So the character that the group showed, I thought, when we came out, that last five minutes was run to perfection. For me, (it’s) really pleasing that we were able to close the game out.
“But yeah, just just super proud. Couldn’t be prouder.”
Central Coast Mariners 3-0 Adelaide United
MATCH REPORT: Matildas maestro scores stunner to lead defending champions to statement win in Round 1
Peta Trimis
Young star Peta Trimis took centre stage at polytec Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the defending Ninja A-League champions got their season off to a flying start.
After opening the scoring late in the first half, the 19-year-old then turned provider as she set-up debutant Jynaya Dos Santos two minutes later to make it 2-0.
Hear what the forward had to say when speaking to Paramount+ after the game.
Isabel Hodgson
Despite reaching the semi-final stage last season, Adelaide United came crashing back down to earth on Sunday afternoon in what was a heavy defeat to the reigning Champions.
Club captain Isabel Hodgson spoke to Paramount+ after the final whistle, saying their defensive lapses on the stroke of half-time made it incredibly difficult to salvage anything from the game.
Hear the full interview below.
Canberra United 1-2 Newcastle Jets
MATCH REPORT: Super-sub steals the show in Canberra as Breier helps new-look Jets take flight
Sasha Grove
Depite taking an early lead through leading goalscorer Michele Heyman and dominating the first-half at McKellar Park, Canberra United ultimately succumbed to a last-gasp defeat against Newcastle Jets thanks to goals from Charlotte Lancaster and India Breier.
After the match, a disappointed Sasha Grove spoke with Paramount+.
India Breier
Subbed on in the 81st minute for goalscorer Lancaster, 19-year-old Breier certainly had the desired impact for new head coach Stephen Hoyle.
Capitalising on some hesitation within the Canberra backline, Breier stole the ball off of defender Emma Robers before dispatching it past the keeper to secure an impressive 2-1 win.
She spoke with Paramount+ at full time.
