Young talent ‘back on track’ to fulfil potential amid ‘season of redemption’ at Victory

Ninja A-League Highlights Show | Round 13

Let this sink in: Melbourne Victory’s second-highest goalscorer this season is a 21-year-old attacking midfielder being asked to play left-back.

Alana Jancevski has four goals and two assists to her name through the first 13 games of her first season at her hometown club. Despite being deployed out of position by Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins, Jancevski is still managing to make her mark in attack.

Her fourth goal of the season set the tone for Victory’s 2-0 win over Sydney FC in Round 13 – a result that kept her side within touching distance of league leaders Melbourne City before a blockbuster Melbourne Derby scheduled for Round 14.

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ROUND 13 TALKING POINTS: Conversation that led to an ‘incredible’ Ninja A-League first

Jancevski won the Ninja A-League’s Isuzu UTE Goal of the Week award for her Round 13 stunner, and on this week’s episode of Dub Zone, was praised by A-Leagues commentators Teo Pellizzeri and Teresa Polias for performing at the level her potential as a teenager suggested she could reach in her career.

“Not bad for a player who is having to fill in at left-back,” Pellizzeri said.

“Alana Jancevski, if she could choose, she’d be playing as a number 10 for Melbourne Victory every week and here she is as a left-back.

“This is someone who was one of our brighter prospects in the Australia Under-17 national team, but never really had the form to get picked for the Under-20s. She’s 21 now and playing amazing football in the Ninja A-League.

“Is she back on track for the trajectory we might’ve been hoping for when she was a teenager?”

“Totally,” Polias replied.

“This is her season of redemption, really.

“She’s at her girlhood club, the club she’s supported since the beginning and you can see the passion she has putting on that jersey every week, and it’s really paid off for Victory this season.”

The matchup that could decide the Melbourne Derby and ‘be the making of a player’

Melbourne Victory trail league leaders Melbourne City by two points heading into their blockbuster Round 14 clash at ctrl:cyber Pitch.

City are yet to lose a game this season, and claimed bragging rights over Victory in Round 2 with a 3-2 win at AAMI Park. Now, they host their bitter rivals with the chance to carve out a five-point lead at the top of the table and further strengthen their claim for the Premiers Plate.

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According to Dub Zone’s Pellizzeri, Victory’s best chance of securing three points and jumping City into top spot on the table will come down to one key question:

Can they stop Holly McNamara?

McNamara is getting back to top form after an injury layoff.

The Matildas winger made her first start of the season in Round 13, continuing her gradual return from an ACL tear.

McNamara’s return has been carefully managed, with six substitute appearances preceding her first start of the season against Western Sydney Wanderers on January 25. McNamara scored the winning goal in that game after bagging a late equaliser off the bench against Western United the game prior, to rescue City a point and keep her side unbeaten this season.

MATCH REPORT: Melbourne City star caps 433-day wait with a goal to help unbeaten premiers return to summit

McNamara is likely to line up against 21-year-old Victory right-back Laura Pickett on Saturday afternoon when the two sides go head-to-head at ctrl:cyber Pitch.

“My question is about who in Victory can keep up with Holly McNamara?” Asked Pellizzeri.

“We’ve seen them put some square pegs in round holes to defend this season. Ellie Wilson has been out for the best part of a month now with an ankle injury, and she might’ve been their quickest defender before this injury.

“Do they stick with Jancevski on one flank and Pickett on the other or do they break glass in case of emergency and try something different for the unique threat of Holly McNamara?”

Polias replied: “We’ve seen Pickett up against (Sydney FC’s) Princess Ibini and she did an incredible job in that game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeff (Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins) starts one way and tries things within the game.”

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MATCH REPORT: Debutant fires as Victory beat Sydney FC

Laura Pickett impressed against Sydney FC in Round 13.

Pickett took on Sydney captain Princess Ibini in Friday’s Big Blue and emerged victorious in their individual battle. The right-back won five of her six tackles, made six clearances, won possession nine times and helped her side keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win.

Pellizzeri believes another performance of that nature would put Pickett on the map as one of the league’s rising stars.

“If Laura Pickett was to defend as well as she did against Princess Ibini against Holly McNamara, this will be the making of her as a player.”

Teo Pellizzeri on Laura Pickett

ROUND 13 TALKING POINTS: Conversation that led to an ‘incredible’ Ninja A-League first

Stick or twist? Goalkeeper selection debate heats up for struggling Roar

Is it time for Brisbane Roar head coach Alex Smith to consider replacing American import Olivia Sekany in goal with current backup Keely Richards?

Sekany’s loan move from National Women’s Soccer League side Racing Louisville FC is set to run down in March, making Richards’ promotion to Roar No.1 a certainty for the final rounds of the regular season and, if Brisbane can turn form around, the finals series.

The Roar are sliding down the Ninja A-League after three consecutive defeats, with the club’s third-consecutive loss coming against Perth Glory in Round 13 – a game in which Brisbane led twice before falling to a 3-2 defeat, with Sekany making an unfortunate error for Perth’s second goal of an unexpected comeback.

“I think playing out from the back was one thing we did ding the Roar for in the earlier rounds of the season,” Pellizzeri said. “That problem doesn’t appear to have gone away.

“Sekany we know is on loan from the NWSL and won’t be here for finals if Roar make the top six. Are we getting close to a point where they have to start thinking about Keely Richards coming in earlier? The plan was always for Richards to finish the season regardless.

“We’re seeing a lot of keeper battles this season and I think it’s time to give her a go,” Polias replied.

“There’s been more than enough chances for Sekany. Throw Keely Richards into the game for sure.”

Olivia Sekany’s loan deal at Brisbane expires in March.