Catch up on the Ninja A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The Ninja A-League 2025-26 season continued with plenty of entertainment and drama over the weekend.
There were plenty of top performers to pick from this week but there was one clear stand out: Wellington Phoenix young gun Pia Vlok, who scored a stunning hat-trick in the Nix’ 5-1 rout of Newcastle Jets.
The young Kiwi put the Jets to the sword in Newcastle and became the second youngest player in Ninja A-League history to score a hat-trick after Tara Andrews.
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*Editor’s Note: The Team of the Week features matches played from Monday to Sunday, meaning several teams may have played multiple matches during the allotted window.
Team of the Week
Joining Vlok in midfield are Western Sydney Wanderers’ Ena Harada, who played a key role in helping the Wanderers defeat Sydney FC in the Derby, as well as Canberra United’s Josie Aulicino.
Up front it’s Central Coast Mariners’ Golden Boot-chasing Annalise Rasmussen who leads the line alongside Brisbane Roar’s Dutch dynamo Bente Jansen and Wanderers young gun Talia Younis.
In defence, Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morisson joins Melbourne City skipper Rebekah Stott whilst Canberra’s in-form fullback Sasha Grove is once again selected, as is Adelaide United’s Ella Tonkin.
Finally, Perth Glory shot-stopper Teresa Morrisey put in yet another commanding display, this time against Sydney FC, and earns selection between the sticks.
What is the Opta Points system?
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
