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 11, thanks to Mitre.
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Fan-favourite details last-gasp move after goalscoring return for Perth
Perth Glory striker Caitlin Doeglas’ return to the Ninja A-League was certainly one to remember on Friday night.
The 28-year-old opened the scoring in the 24th minute of the clash with Sydney FC at Sam Kerr Football Centre before the Sky Blues equalised via a Lucy Johnson strike to ensure a share of the points.
“Yeah there’s a lot of emotions,” said Doeglas when chatting to Paramount+ after the game. “Super happy, I’ve worked so, so hard over the past three or four years and it’s all paid off.
MATCH REPORT: Doeglas scores on her return but Sydney FC secure hard-fought point in Perth
“I’m so happy to do it with this team as well and to put the Perth Glory jersey back on and play in front of my friends and family, you can’t put it into words, it’s just indescribable.”
Re-signed by the club on the day of the game as an injury-replacement for Kelli Brown, Doeglas was thrown straight into the starting line-up for the game.
Having previously played 49 games for the Glory between 2015 and 2021, Doeglas hit the ground running having most recently been in fine goalscoring form in the NPLW in Western Australia with Perth RedStar, scoring 17 goals.
“Yeah it’s been a really hectic week. Obviously I’ve been down to training and it’s been a really great environment. Obviously they’ve had a few injuries which has been really unfortunate.
“At the start of the week (I) heard a few little whispers and then by Wednesday we were ready and and raring to go. I then found out I was starting this morning (Friday). It’s been full on.”
The points for Stephen Peters’ side leaves them in 10th spot on the Ninja A-League ladder with an away game to come against Melbourne Victory this weekend.
Gielnik reveals fluid front three’s ‘free roles’ were key to success
Matildas striker Emily Gielnik was back on the scoresheet for the first time since Round 3 at the weekend as Melbourne Victory cruised past Newcastle Jets 2-0.
Now sitting on seven goals for the campaign and joint-leader in the race for the Golden Boot, Gielnik’s return from injury has come at the right time for Victory as they solidified third spot on the ladder heading into Round 12.
“For anyone that’s been paying attention, we’ve just had our third game in six days,” said Gielnik when speaking after the game.
MATCH REPORT: Matildas star back amongst the goals as Victory cruise past Newcastle
“So it was the back end of what’s been a draw, a really tough loss against Brisbane and then a positive performance today.
She added: “But also, nothing feels better than coming off a win and a clean sheet. Like you saw tonight (Sunday), I think you felt a little weight off our shoulders, a bit of pressure. I actually think we played better than the last couple of games.
“Hopefully that is, I don’t want to say a turning point, but just (us) starting to rebuild us finding our DNA and finding our purpose moving forward.”
Interestingly, Gielnik was deployed on the right of a front three for the game against the Jets as opposed to her usual role as a central striker and the Matildas forward was quick to praise the tactical plan deployed by her head coach.
“I think you probably saw me out wide there a little bit tonight and that just pays dividends to how we played against Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I got caught out there a few times and felt really good on the ball and we thought we’d try that out today.
“Last season actually I found myself out there a lot so he (Jeff Hopkins) just kind of gave us a free role tonight to express ourselves up front and play in any position that we like and if it’s working stay there and if it’s not just mix the movement up.
“So we did practise that a little bit and we did plan for that and I felt it really paid off today.
“It was a little bit disappointing from my end, I feel like I could have got a little bit more joy in the front third but no it’s promising. I felt some of our midfielders were exceptional today, kept a clean sheet – that’s so important – and I think the work rate, considering this is the back end of three games and our third in six (days) – it was really good to see that the girls could put in a shift and finish out strong.”
Up next for Victory is a key clash against Perth Glory at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday night, where a win could see them move to within a point of league-leaders Melbourne City come the end of the round.
Matildas midfielder calls for VAR after Roar’s top-of-the-table loss to City
Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop believes her side didn’t get the rub of the green during their 2-0 loss to Melbourne City and has called for the introduction of VAR to the competition.
Two goals inside the opening 10-minutes from City midfielder Leticia McKenna ultimately sealed the points for the home side who extended their lead atop the Ninja A-League to four points.
The result means the Roar have now suffered two defeats from their last three matches.
MATCH REPORT: Still unbeaten! City stay perfect as midfielder’s four-minute brace decides 1v2 blockbuster
“Look, I think there were good patches of football but I also think my team wasn’t protected today,” said Yallop when speaking to Paramount+ after the game.
“I think Melbourne could have gone a couple of players down early in the game and that would have really changed everything.
“I think if you look at how much the men’s game relies on VAR, it’s obvious that we need it too. Not enough protection tonight and we could have seen a lot better football.”
“In saying that I think there was still some quality out there. You know, we had chances, we didn’t put them away but again, I think we did play some good football (and) still proud of the effort from the girls.”
“I think we pushed right until the end. I think the second half – I haven’t looked at the stats or anything – but we had some comfortable possession there and we created a lot of opportunity as well.
“Didn’t quite get the quality in the final third that we were looking for but, still, we’ve got time to improve that and we’re still pushing and we never gave up so I think that’s important.”
The clash against City was the Roar’s fourth game in the space 13 days and they’ll now get the chance to take stock and recharge ahead of a Round 12 clash with Adelaide United at Perry Park.
Meanwhile, the win for Melbourne City was their 7th of the season and they’re still yet to lose after 11 matches this campaign.
Wellington skipper’s honest assessment after ‘Nix hit roadblock in Adelaide
Wellington Phoenix captain Annalie Longo concedes her side’s disappointing first-half display ultimately led to their 2-1 defeat to Adelaide United.
Playing their third game in the space of nine days, the ‘Nix found themselves two-down at the break thanks to goals from Emily Condon and Chelsea Dawber in the five minutes leading up to half-time.
MATCH REPORT: High-flying Adelaide prevail in milestone game for Reds star
“Yeah we’re frustrated, I think in the first half we weren’t good enough,” said Longo when speaking after the game.
“(We were) a little bit asleep and obviously coming in two-nil down at half-time with these conditions it’s tough to come back.
“But second-half, much-improved performance and I think we probably could have snuck one towards the end. But yeah, disappointed for the team but we kick on, we go again next week.”
Asked specifically what she thought was the issue, Longo conceded the squad didn’t match the physical output of the Adelaide players and as such, simply left it too late to build back into the contest.
“I think we just weren’t getting close enough, we were a little far off on the press and then in possession we were just sloppy, we weren’t finding our passes, there wasn’t enough belief and confidence on the ball and that really hurt us.
“I think you saw patches of that in the second half but just not quite enough quality.”
“It’s going to be another tough challenge, Jets are obviously a quality side but we’re back in Wellington, we’re very good in Wellington, we’re very hard to beat.
“So we’re looking (forward) to being back there with our fans and go out and get back to winning ways.”
No doubt affected by the sweltering conditions in South Australia, the Phoenix squad also had minimal time to prepare for the game given their recent busy schedule which saw them defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday night.
As for Adelaide, the Reds secured what could prove to be a valuable three points in the race to secure a spot in the Top Six.
Now sat fourth and three points clear of Wellington, Adelaide will look to make it five games unbeaten when they face Brisbane Roar at Perry Park on Sunday.
English import breaks her duck as Mariners bounce back with key win
Central Coast Mariners moved back into the Ninja A-League’s top six at the weekend care of a dominant win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Goals from Tess Quilligan, Bianca Galic and a first league goal from English import Brooke Nunn sealed a 3-1 win for the Mariners at Wanderers Football Park.
“It’s great that we bounced back,” said Nunn when speaking to Paramount+ after the game. “We had a game plan, everyone stuck to the script and we executed it so I’m really pleased to go home with the three points and get a goal by my name.”
MATCH REPORT: Central Coast Mariners climb back into Ninja A-League’s top 6 while Wanderers fall to the bottom
Playing in her 11th game of the season, Nunn bagged her first goal in Mariners colours as she charged down Wanderers keeper Keeley Segavcic with the ball ricocheting into the back of the net from the challenge.
“It felt amazing. It wasn’t really the goal I was expecting a goals a goal. I just felt it was brewing so I’m just so pleased that’s come and I’m hopefully there’s many more.”
A sign of the detailed game plan put in place by head coach Emily Husband, Nunn went on to reveal the goal didn’t come about by chance.
“It’s funny because I scored the exact some goal in training,” laughed Nunn. “So it’s funny how that’s followed through into the game today. It all worked out in the end!”
The result takes the Mariners back into the top six following their fourth win of the campaign and Nunn believes the win highlights just where the Mariners are heading this season.
“I think we’re building confidence together and we’re starting to understand each other’s movement and what sort of balls we want.
She added: “So yeah, we’re building a strong foundation here and it’s amazing to be a part of.”
Up next for the Central Coast is an away clash with reigning Ninja A-League champions Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, with Husband’s side defeating the Sky Blues 3-1 in the opening round of the season.
Canberra close in on top six after come-from-behind win
Elsewhere in the Ninja A-League, Canberra United moved to with two points of the top six after coming from behind to defeat Western United 2-1 at McKellar Park.
Going behind in the 15th minute thanks to Catherine Zimmerman’s 2nd goal of the season, Canberra then levelled things up care of a Claudia Mihocic own-goal before an excellent strike from Sofia Christofferson early in the second half wrapped up the points for Antoni Jagarinec’s side.
Check out the highlights below or read the match report here.
