CommBank Matildas star Tameka Yallop scored the winning goal to lead Brisbane Roar to a 2-1 victory over Central Coast Mariners and top of the Ninja A-League standings.
Yallop’s 80th-minute header settled the rescheduled contest at Perry Park, where Mariners teenager Tiana Fuller had cancelled out Deborah-Anne De la Harpe’s second-half opener on Sunday.
Roar great Yallop has now scored five goals in six matches this season – already equalling her entire 2023-24 tally in 14 fewer games as Brisbane leapfrogged reigning premiers Melbourne City, albeit provisionally.
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The high-flying Roar have 12 points to their name to be ahead of City goal difference, though last season’s Grand Finalists are set to meet Canberra United on Sunday, while the Mariners are fifth and three points off the pace.
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Sunday’s showdown also saw Matildas star Sharn Freier and her twin sister Laini share the field for the first time in the Ninja A-League.
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The match was meant to be played on Saturday but it was rescheduled due to heavy rain in Brisbane.
Fast forward 24 hours and it was an eventful start at Perry Park, where the Roar made a strong start on home soil.
First, Mariners defenders threw their bodies at the ball to prevent Brisbane from hitting the front in the 10th minute and moments later, the Roar came agonisingly close to a goal-of-the-season contender.
It was Momo Hayashi, who rattled the crossbar with a thunderous long-range attempt.
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There was more drama with two minutes remaining in the first half – Mariners striker Annalise Rasmussen stood waiting for the ball to go into the back of the net as it struck both posts and somehow stayed out.
Brisbane made the breakthrough approaching the hour mark and it was De La Harpe, who started the move by dispossessing Central Coast before capping it with a fine finish from an acute angle.
Brisbane’s lead was erased within 19 minutes as Central Coast young gun Fuller made it two goals in two games after putting the ball beyond Roar goalkeeper Olivia Sekany.
“Hit the Ninja A-League like a tornado,” said Paramount+ commentator Teo Pellizzeri.
The Roar hit back courtesy of star captain Yallop four minutes later as her looping header guided the club to their fourth win of the campaign.
