Western United said goodbye to a World Cup-winning star, a Matildas midfielder starred for the defending champions and Wellington Phoenix enjoyed a breakthrough win over the weekend.
With a lot to dissect, here are the talking points from Round 11 of the Liberty A-League.
McDonald has left the building
On Saturday afternoon, Western United bid farewell to Jess McDonald, whose guest stint at the Liberty A-League’s newest side came to a close.
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner leaves Western having made a profound impact on and off the field; providing enormous leadership to the younger, less experienced players in the group while doing what she does best when she steps onto the pitch each and every week.
McDonald was on hand to set up both Hannah Keane and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic for Western’s two goals in their 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar in Hobart, which for the time being, solidified their place on top of the table.
After the game, Dub Zone commentator Teo Pellizzeri reflected on her stint down under.
“I think the reason that she was maybe not on a massive high there is because something she’s really enjoyed is over,” Pellizzeri said.
It is absolutely bittersweet. And it was a great question to ask about what she’s leaving behind because the lessons learned now that McDonald’s out of the building, that is where Western as a club, they’re trying to set this culture, they’re trying to build something from day one. This is where now the benefits of what McDonald’s bought them really have to flow on.
“So I’m really intrigued as to how the coaches, the other players in the team, they’ll harness having had Jess McDonald’s as a team-mate, and then when that presence isn’t in the rooms, isn’t giving the gee-up, isn’t the voice out there on the pitch. What do they do now?
“It couldn’t have gone much better than to win eight out of nine and it’s only half way (into) the season, there is still a long way to go.”
Chidiac’s unbelievable second half
“Amazing”
That’s the word Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins used to describe Alex Chidiac’s unbelievable showing in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Saturday.
Chidiac was instrumental in the second half, scoring moments after the restart before teeing up Kayla Morrison for the winner with a well weighted delivery from a corner.
And she could have very easily had a hat-trick (or more) too, coming within inches of adding a few more to her name including an unbelievable solo effort in the dying moments which was arguably the best goal of the season that never was.
But it could have been much different had Hopkins decided to stick with his plan of only playing her for 45 minutes, as she had come off a gruelling schedule of playing three games in the space of six days.
However, that was no issue for the Matildas midfielder, who was quite simply brilliant against the side that handed her Liberty A-League debut in 2014.
It was almost as if before Chidiac stepped onto ServiceFM Stadium, she saw Teo Pellizzeri’s team of the season so far on Dub Zone and to use a quote from Michael Jordan: she “took it personally”.
Wilkinson’s hitting her straps again
After an injury interrupted start to the season, Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson has found her groove again.
The New Zealand international, who only returned from injury at the end of December, made it two goals in two games in City’s 1-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers – helping her side back onto the winners list after their draw in the Melbourne Derby last Sunday.
Wilkinson spoke on Dub Zone about starting to get back into the swing of things after missing the first few rounds of the campaign.
“It was a long time out, 10 or 11 weeks so it took me a few games to get into it and obviously get used to the team,” Wilkinson said.
“(There’s) a couple of new players this season to get used to as well, so yeah, I’m pretty close (to 100%). I think I’m getting up there.
“Today, was simply just a team effort, and I’m stoked to be part of the win that’s for sure.”
City are right in the mix for first position, sitting two points behind league leaders Western United – but have played one game more than their cross-town rivals. But Wilkinson and co face a monster three weeks to come with clashes against Adelaide United, Sydney FC and Western all to come.
A memorable day in Wellington
What an afternoon for Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium.
Before Sunday, Wellington had not won a Liberty A-League game since February last year.
They had only one point to their name through eight games this season, with just three goals scored. But they routed Canberra United 5-0 for their first win at Sky Stadium and first win of the campaign!
The ‘Nix were scintillating, playing with a swagger not seen throughout the opening months of the campaign.
Betsy Hassett was outstanding, scoring a brace on Sunday afternoon, while three of their starters – Grace Wisnewski, Mackenzie Barry and Paige Satchell incredibly backed up 20 hours after playing for the Football Ferns against the USA.
All around, it was an unbelievable day out for Wellington, but also for their fans who got to experience a first ever win for their Liberty A-League side on home-soil.
