The Liberty A-League finals race is heating up, but there are so much more happening across the competition.
Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby celebrated a landmark goal, while Rachel Lowe starred in a rare start for reigning premiers Sydney FC.
Then there is Melbourne City and their attacking quintet, plus Canberra United’s red-hot form.
With a lot to dissect, here are the talking points from Round 16 of the Liberty A-League.
The Lowe show provides a timely reminder
Sydney FC made a statement with their resounding 3-0 victory over league-leading Western United on Sunday.
Rachel Lowe was at the double, while Princess Ibini was also on target to lead the reigning premiers to a big victory in the Liberty A-League.
The Sky Blues are now just three points off top spot with two games in hand thanks to Lowe’s brace at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, where captain Nat Tobin was sent off in stoppage time.
Lowe has spent the past three seasons with the Sky Blues, winning back-to-back Liberty A-League Premierships. Such was her potential, she was even capped by the Matildas aged just 17.
However, Lowe has found playing time limited in 2022-23. On the back of her four-goal season last term, she had made just one start in eight appearances this time around before Sunday.
With Sydney struggling with injuries and international call-ups, the 22-year-old seized her rare opportunity to take her tally to three goals for the season.
During last week’s Official Liberty A-League Podcast, former Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City attacker Rhali Dobson discussed Lowe’s future.
READ MORE: Another Premiership? Sydney’s destiny in their own hands thanks to statement win over Western
“Lowe has been in this competition for a really long time. She is 22. In my head I still see her as a youngster but maybe because I’m actually old now,” Dobson said.
“With Rachel, she has been at Sydney for so long, yes she is within her comfort zone, yes she is in a great squad.
“But if she wants to progress her career at the end of this season, she needs to make a big decision.
It will be her sitting down with Ante [Juric], having conversations and going, ‘am I in the plans to be a starter?’ or ‘am I happy just to be on the bench and just come on every now and then?’.
“I can tell you no player wants to do that. If you do, why are you playing the sport?
“In saying that, she needs to make a decision with her career moving forward. Does she stay at Sydney or is she better off going elsewhere, plying her trade there and really showcasing her skills to make a name for herself. She has that potential. She was talked about a lot when she was younger and we want to see that now.”
City’s attacking five that’s set to cause all sorts of headaches
Is this the true fire power of a fully armed and operational Melbourne City front-line? If so, Liberty A-League watch out.
READ: The return 377 days in the making – ‘They can win the title if she’s out there!’
For the first time this season, City wheeled out all four of their attacking guns at the same time with Maria Jose Rojas and Holly McNamara making their long-awaited returns, joining Rhianna Pollicina, Bryleeh Henry and Hannah Wilkinson in the starting XI against Newcastle Jets.
And from the first viewing: so far, so good.
City were decisive in their 4-0 win over the Jets and their front five all played a role in finding the back of the net. Rojas, Wilkinson, Henry and Pollicina scored, while McNamara got the assist for the opener.
If that wasn’t enough, they have Daniela Galic on international duty and Caitlin Karic out with injury, showcasing just how deep their attacking reserves are.
Now, the focus turns to a monster final month of the season, with City taking on either sides inside the top-four or just outside as they look to shore up a place in the finals.
The vibes are good in the nation’s capital
Canberra just can’t stop winning.
From the depths of consecutive 5-0 losses, to winning four on the bounce and sitting only goal-difference outside the top four, Canberra have turned the tide enormously in the past month.
READ: Huge praise for free-scoring Heyman: ‘She’s still the best number nine in Australia’
Their 4-2 win over Adelaide United was the latest example of their turn in fortunes over the last little while, with Michelle Heyman bagging a hat-trick and taking her career total to an incredible 94 Liberty A-League career goals, as she continues to chase down a historic century.
But where did this all start?
“I think for us, when we started to lose, we started to turn on ourselves individually,” Canberra winger Nikki Flannery said on Dub Zone.
“I think we just needed a wake-up call… We need to focus on the team, on what we can do for the person next to us.
“We all work hard… and have each other’s backs. I think that’s been a huge focus for us collectively.”
Rigby’s memorable moment but Glory’s destiny out of their hands
Tash Rigby is the heart and soul of Perth Glory.
The 30-year-old has called the Glory home since 2016-17. She has reached two Grand Finals and is the captain of the club.
Aside from a Championship, there has been one thing missing: A goal.
Rigby changed that on Sunday after scoring for the first time in the Liberty A-League.
READ: ‘There’s no doubt about that’ – Glory’s defiant message after stalemate
The veteran defender broke the deadlock in Perth’s 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at Macedonia Park.
“What a goal,” said Glory head coach Alex Epakis. “At half-time, she was pretty fixated on really ripping in.
“And wow – what you get with Tash is pure determination. She wears her heart on her sleeve. And moments like that, it’s just her putting all those things out there.”
While it was a memorable moment, it was not the result the finals-chasing Glory wanted.
Glory’s destiny is now out of their hands after the stalemate, with Perth four points adrift of fourth-placed Melbourne Victory, though they do have a game in hand.
