It was an action-packed first weekend of the new Ninja A-League season there was plenty to discuss for the panel on the first episode of Dub Zone in 2024-25!
This week host Amy Duggan was joined by former Sydney FC captain and two-time Ninja A-League champion Teresa Polias as well as A-Leagues commentator, Teo Pellizzeri.
ROUND 2 PREVIEW: What you need to know ahead of Round 2 of the Ninja A-League season
‘Teething issues’ for Sydney FC as 75-game streak comes to an end
If Round One of the new Ninja A-League season was anything to go by then we’re in for a fiercely competitive campaign: just ask reigning Champions Sydney FC.
Drawn away to Central Coast in their first game of the season, Ante Juric’s side were comprehensively beaten by Emily Husband’s team as the Mariners exacted some revenge following their Semi-Final exit at the hands of the Sky Blues last season.
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A team undergoing a rebuild following the departures of key players such as Cortnee Vine, Charlotte McLean and Jada Whyman, the Sky Blues blooded some of their new stars but were no match for the Mariners who ran out 3-1 winners.
“You have to mention, they have lost a lot of experienced players that have been there for quite a bit of time.
“There’s going to be (some) teething issues with new players coming in. It’s going to take some time to build that chemistry.”
A noticeable absentee from the starting line-up though was forward Princess Ibini.
“This broke a 75-game streak of starting, she hadn’t come off the bench since 2021,” said A-Leagues commentator and Dub Zone panelist, Teo Pellizzeri.
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“So what does this say to both Ibini but also the other forwards in the group?”
“Ante is spoilt for choices,” said two-time Ninja A-League champion Teresa Polias. “When you frame it like that, it does make me doubt that it is down to performance purely.
“Having lost all of those players it’s crazy not to start your most experienced player who led the side for much of the season last year.
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Polias continued: “It could be player management, she may have a tiny little niggle that you’re not going to risk in round one with Princess.”
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298 passes without a shot on target – that was how the stats sheet read at half-time for Melbourne City during their home clash with Perth Glory.
Already down a goal thanks to a wonder striker from Glory’s Kelli Brown, City then came unstuck once again at the start of the second half thanks to another defensive error.
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“It has been a little bit of a characteristic with City at times where they are just playing possession-based football for possession’s sake, and they’re not getting that finishing touch,” said former Sydney FC captain Teresa Polias.
However that finishing touch would soon be applied and it twice came from the boot of a City stalwart, who led from the front and helped her side score five unanswered goals in the second half to win 5-2.
“They’ve got new full-backs this year because Julia Grosso and Kaitlyn Torpey are no longer around,” said A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri.
“It means that while that team adjusts, they are so reliant upon Rhianna Policina. It’s not a surprise that she was player of the match because she turns a lot of that sterile possession into meaningful attacks.
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“She gets forward, she creates space for herself, she’s got nifty feet and any opportunity she gets, she takes,” added Polias.
One big question new head coach Michael Matricciani now may have to ponder is whether or not he sticks with Spanish goalkeeper Malena Mieres.
The former Real Betis and Eibar shotstopper was beaten from long range by Brown for the opener and had a few nervy moments during the win over Perth, leading the Dub Zone panel to question whether Matildas legend Melissa Barbieri should get the nod in goal.
“If you want Mieres to turn this around you almost need to pull the rip-cord now, put Bubs (Barbieri) in and see what Mieres’ response is,” said Pellizzeri.
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“I agree,” added Polias. “She’s kept (herself) healthy, she’s never injured Bubs and she’s always at the ready so throw her in.”
‘Don’t rule it out!’ – Jets tipped to go big in 2024-25 despite losing source of goals
They may have only snagged a draw against the Wanderers in Round 1 but there is plenty to be excited about – both on and off the pitch – when it comes the Jets this season.
Despite trailing by two goals against Western Sydney, Ryan Campbell’s side rescued a point in Cessnock thanks to an excellent second-half showing and will probably feel as though they did enough to win the game.
There’s no doubt that the off-season departures of Melina Ayres and top-scorer Sarina Bolden will have hurt Campbell and co., especially given the fact the duo were responsible for almost half of the club’s goals last season.
However, two-time Ninja A-League champion Teresa Polias doesn’t think its’ an issue for the club, especially after watching them carve out plenty of chances against the Wanderers.
“I don’t think they’ve got a problem,” said Polias. ” They created so many chances, it’s just a matter of getting out there on the training pitch and practising your finishing.
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Furthermore, the off-season signing of NRLW Premiership winner and now cross-code athlete Sheridan Gallagher by the club has led A-Leagues commentator Pellizzeri to think there could be something special brewing in the Hunter.
“The ownership of the club, that situation has been looming over them for such a long time, (but) the new owners were integral in bringing Sheridan Gallagher across and setting up this dual-sport athlete situation.
“It says to me that Newcastle are really serious about their program this year and if they can sense a chance at success, don’t rule out the phone call to Emily van Egmond for another guest contract.
He added: “I think that Newcastle’s owners are all in on trying to really push this season.”
Julie Dolan Medal winner back to her best after almost leaving Australia for good
Adelaide United may have seen a point snatched away from them at the death by Melbourne Victory in Round One of the Ninja A-League but there is an over-riding sense of positivity around the side, particularly given the performance of Fiona Worts.
Fresh off being released following an injury-hit season at Sydney FC, 2021-22 Julie Dolan Medallist Worts’s career was seemingly at a crossroads.
However, the English striker was eventually persuaded to head back to the club where she has such fond memories and her performance against Victory in the season opener for the Reds was a timely reminder of what she brings to the side: Goals.
“She was awesome,” said former Sydney FC captain Teresa Polias. “I remember her return last season was a bit slow but this time she’s really hit the ground running.
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“She was sharp, the goals she scored were from follow-ups where you could tell she was just always aware, always at the ready so it’s very pleasing to have her back scoring.”
Now 28, Worts’ one and only season for Sydney FC was cruelly ended after she damaged the lateral collateral ligament in her knee, prompting her to consider a permanent move back to the UK.
“She was in the UK and seemingly not coming back to Australia,” revealed A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri.
“Just her love of Adelaide is what turned her round and memories of that (Julie) Dolan Medal winning season a couple of campaigns ago.
“There’s a lot of familiar faces at Adelaide. They had a few players out injured at the weekend like Dylan Holmes and Isabel Hodgson but the band is essentially back together there.
He continued: “It was great to see Emily Condon starting a game. Fiona Worts is the finisher, Chelsea Dawber will come back after maybe missing the first month of the season recovering from hip surgery and Adelaide will be hoping that they can climb the table from their wooden spoon finish.”
