Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au brings you all the biggest talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 10, thanks to Mitre.
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Western United’s perfect response to history-making loss
Chloe Logarzo and Western United needed a response on Friday night and they got it with a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets in Tarneit.
A week prior, Western suffered the heaviest defeat in their Ninja A-League history – the 2022-23 runners-up dismantled 8-2 by high-flying Brisbane Roar at Ironbark Fields.
But in Round 10 and thanks to Kahli Johnson’s second-half brace, the home side conquered last season’s Semi-Finalists the Jets – who had Tash Prior sent off – in their Elimination Final rematch.
It was also a memorable outing for the Taranto twins. Melissa made her 50th appearance for Western, while Adriana made her long-anticipated comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” captain and CommBank Matildas star Logarzo told Paramount+.
“We asked for a professional performance and that’s exactly what we did. We needed those three points and the morale for the team.”
Johnson is soaring to new heights in 2024-25. The 20-year-old attacker is well and truly in the Golden Boot race – just one goal adrift, having scored a career-high six goals in nine appearances this season.
For context, the Young Matilda scored three goals in 2023-24.
While Johnson continues to shine, Kat Smith’s Western have struggled for consistency this term.
Fifth in the standings and eight points behind unbeaten leaders Melbourne City, Western have won four of their first nine fixtures (L2 D3).
“The inconsistency in our playing, we’re trying to help as much as we possibly can,” Logarzo reflected. “But when we’re good we’re really good but when we’re not, we’re not.
“That’s the focus throughout the week, becoming more consistent and holding onto this feeling and really honing into what we’re doing well.”
Wellington coach’s warning: ‘We will be a force’
Paul Temple has a message for the rest of the Ninja A-League.
“We’re a team that can beat anyone and will be a force if we can carry this on,” the Wellington Phoenix head coach said after Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Perth Glory.
MATCH REPORT: New Zealand star comes back to haunt former side with another stunner as ‘Nix climb into top six
Wellington – sixth in the standings – have lost just one of their past six fixtures, while they have won three straight games at Porirua Park.
“Happy with how we played, especially the second half,” Temple told media post-match. “And thoroughly deserved the win I thought.
“We created a lot of good opportunities and probably could have been a lot more clinical as well. Decision making in around the box at times can be a bit better.
“But these are good problems to have because as soon as we start fixing those things we’re just going to start scoring a lot more goals.
“We’re creating a lot and getting in their box so I’m pleased with that. We’re starting to show it’s clicking, and things are starting to move in the right direction.
“I think we’re a team that can beat anyone and will be a force if we can carry this on.”
Adelaide’s historic result in Woy Woy
Finally! For the first time in their Ninja A-League history, Adelaide United got the better of Central Coast Mariners.
The historic victory at Woy Woy Oval saw Adelaide leapfrog Central Coast into fourth in the standings.
“I wasn’t actually aware that the club had never beaten them before on the women’s side,” Adelaide head coach Adrian Stenta said. “So, it’s definitely a positive to finally tick that box.
“This side has been quite good at creating historical moments for the club during my time here, so that’s been pleasing. It’s a tough place to come and get a result, so that’s a real positive for us. It will build a lot of confidence within the group.
“Our away form this year has been really strong—this was our third away win in four matches. We feel confident going into any game, regardless of where it’s played, that we can get a result because we’ve consistently shown that through the first couple of months of the season.”
For Adelaide star Hodgson, it was the first time she had found the back of the net since the 24-year-old scored in Adelaide’s win over Sydney FC in 2017.
MATCH REPORT: Adelaide make history with win over Central Coast as Reds star enjoys eight-year first
“I’m super happy and excited for Em Hodgson to have scored a goal,” said Stenta. “We’ve been telling her for a few weeks now—it’s been a bit of an ongoing conversation amongst the group—that Hodgy is going to get on the scoreboard.
“We’re asking her to play in a bit more of an advanced role than perhaps she’s played for us in the past few seasons, and perhaps a role that she’s not as accustomed to.
“I’m very pleased for her. She’s been working super hard in training and has been able to recreate those sorts of moments consistently. I’m glad that the practice has paid off. She probably could have popped up with a second goal, too, because she was quite high at times and found herself in the box.
“That’s where we want her to be with the way we’re playing this year. So, very happy for Hodgy—not a more deserving player in the team to score.”
At the other end of the field, Adelaide goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins helped create more history for the Reds.
Adelaide have kept five clean sheets this season – a new club record.
“It’s something we identified in the postseason review that we really needed to work on because we conceded far too many goals last year. We weren’t happy with our defensive actions as a team,” said Stenta.
“(On Saturday) we were able to absorb some real pressure, come out of it, and do a great job of protecting our goal.
“It starts with our goalkeeper, Claudia, who had another strong game and put in a superb performance. I’m really happy with her form and what she’s brought to the team in the starting role this season. She’s doing a fantastic job.”
A-Leagues phenom stays hot but Heyman’s Canberra spoil the party in drought-ending triumph
There is a new Golden Boot leader after a Brisbane Roar sensation continued her incredible start to life as a professional footballer, however, Canberra United stole the show at Perry Park.
MATCH REPORT: Heyman’s Canberra upstage Roar in dramatic comeback as A-Leagues phenom tops charts
Playing just her sixth professional match, Laini Freier broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute before Canberra turned the match on its head.
“It’s been a massive impact having her. She does it at training as well,” Roar captain and Matildas star Tameka Yallop told Paramount+.
Winless in six games, Emma Robers equalised from distance with 81 minutes on the clock and legendary captain Heyman scored the go-ahead goal seven minutes later to silence the strong Brisbane crowd.
It was Heyman’s 114th career goal in the A-Leagues as the CommBank Matildas forward helped Canberra to their first victory since Round 2.
“Feeling extremely positive,” Heyman said. “Really proud every single player within our team. It’s nice to come away from an away trip with three points.”
Wondergoal halts unbeaten leaders in Grand Final rematch: ‘The best feeling ever’
Lucy Johnson, wow. The Sydney FC midfielder scored her first goal for the Sky Blues in sensational fashion as the two-time reigning champions held Melbourne City to a 1-1 draw.
Johnson’s incredible long-range strike gave struggling Sydney the lead before Leticia McKenna’s second-half goal ensured reigning premiers City remained unbeaten in their Grand Final rematch at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
“It was such an amazing feeling to get a goal but unfortunately we didn’t get the win,” said Johnson.
“It just opened up for me and I thought why not? It was the best feeling ever, I can’t even describe how it felt really!
“I’ve been feeling really good in training so it was good to see it come off today.”
While City top the table, Sydney continue to languish at the foot of the standings with five points in nine matches.
“It’s an error from a young kid (Tahlia Franco) who’ll learn from it. The last time we played City it went through the goalkeeper’s hands, so really City should count themselves lucky because we should have six points from them,” said Sydney head coach Ante Juric.
“They’ve done well to pick up those points, it’s just poor mistakes, but again, these girls are young, so I’m going to back them and they’ll get better.”
A tale of devastation and delight: ‘I’m speechless’
From the jaws of defeat, Western Sydney Wanderers somehow escaped the Home of the Matildas with a point in their epic eight-goal thriller against Melbourne Victory. It was a result that left captain Amy Harrison in disbelief.
“When you look at it, a point away from home against such a quality team like Victory, you celebrate that point,” Harrison told Paramount+ post-match.
“For us right now where we are, the point is really significant obviously on the table but just mentally for our group as well.”
EPIC! Wanderers stun Melbourne Victory with incredible late comeback
Harrison added: “It’s been a tough season to say the very least. We’ve had a lot of different things to overcome but all those moments of overcoming those moments is for those moments. There’s a lot of moments.
“I’m honestly just in disbelief. I’m so proud. Each game we’ve had to overcome something and to come back then, I’m a bit speechless to be honest.”
As for third-placed Victory, they missed the chance to leapfrog Brisbane into second spot in the table.
“Devastating, really upsetting,” captain Kayla Morrison told Paramount+. “There’s really no excuse for it.
“Letting in four goals never feels good and it really shouldn’t happen, especially coming from me as a centre-back.
“Going into big games now, they’ve become must-win games.”
