These are the key talking points from the fourth episode of Dub Zone as Round 4 of the 2023-24 Liberty A-League season delivered plenty more mouthwatering action.
Perth Glory are the only side who still hold a perfect record this season following a 2-1 win over Adelaide United and have shown no signs of slowing down, thanks to the sensational form of Susan Phonksongham and new recruit Grace Jale.
After two straight defeats, Melbourne Victory have gained some momentum and a rising star was a standout in their 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets.
Meanwhile, an import who could be a contender for signing of the season stepped up in between the sticks for Brisbane Roar, who secured a 1-1 draw against Central Coast Mariners, but is a lack of firepower cause of concern?
Here are the major talking points the Dub Zone crew dissected with injured Sydney FC captain Natalie Tobin making her debut on the panel.
WATCH DUB ZONE BELOW FOR A FULL RECAP OF ROUND 4
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Sydney set for ‘tough’ road ahead after Uzbekistan journey
Sydney FC have spent two weeks out of Liberty A-League action – and after a history-making campaign in the AFC Women’s Club Championship, Ante Juric’s side are set for a quick turnaround to dive straight back into the domestic league.
But their injured captain Nat Tobin says the quality and depth of the squad, along with the expert situation-management of their head coach Ante Juric, have the Sky Blues well-placed to tackle a congested schedule head-on.
Tobin was the very special guest on the latest episode of Dub Zone, joining Niav Owens, Teo Pellizzeri and Grace Gill to dissect all the biggest talking points from Round 4 in the Liberty A-League, while providing an inside look at Sydney’s Asian quest which ended on Sunday night in defeat to Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, after victories over Nasaf and Bam Khatoon.
Tobin was in regular contact with members of the Sydney FC squad as they navigated a tough fixture and travel schedule, commending stand-in captain Princess Ibini for her leadership as the Sky Blues became the first Liberty A-League club to both score and win in Asian competition.
“It was tough, the commute, the travel time,” Tobin said. “It was about a 34-hour commute to get there. It’s shorter on the way back with less of a layover. But they (loved) it.
“They said the food is great, it’s a different culture to experience, and they’re almost being treated like royalty over there.
“I think Prinny (Ibini) is doing a fantastic job. She’s been there almost as long as myself, so she knows the ins and outs of the team. She’s been doing great, but she’s also being supported by the likes of Charlotte (Mclean), Cortnee (Vine) and Jada (Whyman). There is quite a leadership group there – and I’m still around the squad handing out tips and giving my words of wisdom!”
The Sky Blues return to Australia this week ahead of a road trip to take on Adelaide United in Round 5 of the Liberty A-League season.
“It’s really tough. It’s a quick turnaround to then fly to Adelaide; it’s not even a home game this weekend when they get back, it’s an away game.
“It’s a stressful situation but I think Ante (juric) handles it really well; he knows how to help people keep their heads and focus on the game at hand.
“It will be a tough January, it’s going to be very condensed but in saying that, we do have quite a good squad, and good squad depth. So hopefully we’ll be able to share the load a bit.”
READ MORE: Defeat to Korean powerhouse sees Sky Blues bow out of AFC Women’s Club Championship
Perth Glory continue soaring start to the season
Perth Glory couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Liberty A-League season following four wins in as many matches.
Alex Epakis has earned plaudits for his off-season recruits, especially Grace Jale from Canberra United which has proven to be a transfer masterstroke as the forward brought her goal tally to three for the season.
However, Glory’s 2-1 victory over Adelaide United may have been their most impressive win yet as they had to fight back from behind for the first time in the new campaign.
“We saw something new; they hadn’t trailed in any of their first three games,” A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri said.
“(Glory) were behind at half-time, the early equaliser in the second-half certainly helped them on their way of course, it was Grace Jale who scored that equaliser. But they had to work hard to win.”
Liberty A-League legend Grace Gill added: “I think that speaks to a squad that’s been building for four years now under Alex Epakis.
“He’s had the team, he’s one of the earliest coaches to announce his squad. Every single season he comes out very early and says ‘this is my squad, this is who I’m retaining’.
“(He’s brought) a couple of important inclusions in the way of Grace Jale… (and) of course Susan Phonsongkham in the middle of the field.”
Phonsongkham has taken significant strides this season, pulling the strings from midfield in addition to scoring crucial goals to back up her dominant performances.
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The 22-year-old started her senior career with Western Sydney Wanderers, but wasn’t able to maintain consistency given her injury challenges.
Sydney FC captain Natalie Tobin said Phonsongkham’s technical ability and attacking prowess comes as no surprise given her success at NPL level.
“I definitely see the potential – she won NPL Player of the Year and Golden Boot pre-COVID-19 so it’s always been there,” said Tobin.
“I think she’s just very unlucky with injuries and unfortunately you know once you have injuries your confidence gets rocked so it’s great to see her building and back to that form we know she has available to her.”
It’s worth noting that all three of Phonsongkham’s goals this season have been match winners for Glory, showing off her ability to put her team back into the game at vital moments.
While Glory have so far withstood any adversity they’ve faced, the upcoming contests will put their competitive strength to the test.
They’re set to take on a number of last season’s finalists, including Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, which could pose a threat to their unbeaten start.
“With any team, you know the real moments come under pressure,” Gill said.
“When a team is pinched and character comes to the surface under real pressure, resilience moments. We’re going to see the depth of this team tested especially with a couple of away trips (against) some of the best teams from last year.
“They’ve gone unbeaten now which is their best ever start to a season especially under Alex Epakis.
“So now is the real test for Perth. These next four weeks, how can they return and have a similar result to the first four games?”
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Melbourne Victory’s Plan B without injured Matildas star
Melbourne Victory have hit their stride following back-to-back losses at the start of the season and plenty of excitement surrounded the return of Matildas attacker Emily Gielnik who featured for the first time last week.
However, Gielnik’s return was cut short in Victory’s 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets after sustaining a suspected calf injury and head coach Jeff Hopkins revealed her withdrawal was made as a precautionary measure.
“It’s tough because… rehab is a tricky process and your calves are the main ones to go,” Tobin explained.
“Calves are tricky again because it can take a little while or it can take a long time. It’s hard to know. Fingers crossed for Emily Gielnik that it’s only a short one and it’s just a bit of niggle.”
Gill added: “But Emily is an experienced player and you could see there in her reaction, her body language.
“She knew straight away, whether it was a little pull or a little tweak but she’s just gone to ground.
“Even if it’s a grade one tear so the most minimal type of strain you can do to a calf. I don’t think they’re going to push, and I don’t think they’re going to push any travel.
“Their next game away, I don’t think they’re going to travel her if she has indeed strained her calf so that could be Gielnik back to the sidelines for the next couple of weeks.”
In the absence of Gielnik, 18-year-old forward Ella O’Grady stepped up and netted Victory’s third goal.
The Junior Matilda joined in the off-season to bolster the club’s attacking stocks and her recent performances could warrant more game time with the extent of Gielnik’s injury still yet to be confirmed.
“Jeff Hopkins is stranger to bringing youngsters to Victoria out of Queensland where he was coaching when the (A-League Womens) first started and he’s done it again,” Pellizzeri said.
“Ella O’Grady had never played for Brisbane Roar and the young Matildas were calling her up and she was able to cash in (on) what was a very fun afternoon for Victory, albeit with a different superstar the one that got the ball rolling.”
Gill agreed, adding that O’Grady is shaping to be an appealing back-up: “It was a really good finish by the youngster.
“… We hope Gielnik’s injury isn’t too bad, but she’s looking pretty good there O’Grady as an option.”
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Brisbane Roar’s saving grace
Brisbane Roar managed to snatch a point against a resurgent Central Coast Mariners side, largely thanks to the goalkeeping heroics of Jordan Silkowitz.
The American goalkeeper denied Isobel Gomez from the penalty spot and continued to keep the Mariners at bay with extraordinary saves, particularly in the second-half.
Silkowitz joined Brisbane ahead of the season on a loan move from Kansas City Current and is already making a case for why she’s one of the signings of the season and a perfect replacement for Hensley Hancuff.
“She’s a different physical profile to Hensley Hancuff last season, but the Roar must feel as though they have absolutely nailed their recruiting,” Pellizzeri said. “They’re disappointed not to have been able to bring Hancuff back this season, but Jordan Silkowitz appears to be just as good if not a better goalkeeper.”
Gill added: “If they’re the saves she’s making this early in the season, organising her defensive line and pulling some of those top draw saves then yeah they’ve done very well.”
Silkowitz is just one piece in the solid defence Gareth McPherson has built with the likes of Leah Scarpelli, Jenna McCormick and Holly McQueen forming the backline.
However, Brisbane are arguably missing a clinical goalscorer who can capitalise on the chances created with Ash Brodigan the only viable attacking companion available to Mia Corbin who is currently leading the line.
Tobin admitted that while coming up against Brisbane’s stubborn defence is difficult, there is a gaping hole in the forward line.
“I think they’re definitely that team that sit in a block aren’t they and if they do go ahead they just sit and then they frustrate teams,” she said.
“In previous years they’ve had Larissa Crummer up top as an out-and-out No. 9 – a hold out No. 9, so it’s going to be tough adapting without her.
“I think Kijah Stephenson (is) a really bright winger but she’s young so it’s hard when you’ve got such young players, but we’ll see what happens.
“Mia Corbin scored an absolute wonder goal last week in Wellington and maybe if she can produce a few more of them you might see a few more bright sparks up top.”
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Tobin’s inspiring take on ACL tear: ‘A huge amount of empathy from this experience’
When Tobin isn’t guiding Sydney FC to Liberty A-League trophies, the Sky Blues captain spends her time working in the field of occupational therapy.
After suffering a devastating season-ending injury in Round 1 of the 2023-24 season, Tobin says she has newfound empathy for all of her patients who she helps on the road to recovery.
Tobin’s comments come after what she describes as “a painful week” spent recuperating after surgery on her ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
“I didn’t know how serious it was – but I did know it wasn’t good,” said Tobin, when recalling the moment she went down at Allianz Stadium after a tangle in the box with Western Sydney forward Sophie Harding.
“Iinitially, I thought it was a dislocation. But then, all the thoughts start rolling in your head, and next day I got the result.
“I’ve watched it multiple times, mainly to see (if) I planted differently to normal, what was it about that time? There’s so many different scenarios rolling through my head. Then I watched multiple others too.
“I’ve had a couple of weeks off to rest. It’s been a really painful week post-op. So just resting and seeing the physio and rehab. It’s a long rehab process, so you’ll see me in the gym and see me in the physio rooms.”
Tobin says her work away from football as an occupational therapist has helped not only in coming to terms with the serious injury, but coping through the early days of her post-operation rehabilitation program thanks to her colleagues and friends in the industry.
“I think I’ve said to every patient I’ve seen so far: I have a huge amount of empathy I’ve grown from this experience,” she said.
“But also it was very helpful because I had all the resources at my doorstep. My friend dropped over a shower chair and an over-toilet aid for me. It made that first week of post-op pain a little bit more bearable.”
