Laini Freier’s incredible start to life in the Ninja A-League continued after she scored another hat-trick in Brisbane Roar’s merciless 8-2 dismantling of Western United at Ironbark Fields on Sunday.
For the second straight week, Laini Freier celebrated a three-goal haul to become the first player in Ninja A-League history to score consecutive hat-tricks as the high-flying Roar equalled their largest winning margin in the competition while handing Western their heaviest ever loss.
After scoring her first professionals goals in a memorable hat-trick performance on starting debut in Round 7, Laini Freier – the twin sister of Sharn Freier, backed it up with another devastating display, which featured an incredible long-range strike in Tarneit.
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CommBank Matildas star Sharn Freier scored twice, while another golazo from Momo Hayashi plus goals via Tameka Yallop and Leia Varley inspired second-placed Brisbane, who stayed within two points of unbeaten leaders Melbourne City through eight rounds.
For Western United, they are sixth and a point above seventh-placed Wellington Phoenix.
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It opening half was a chaotic goal-fest as Brisbane put Western to the sword from the outset in Tarneit.
The Roar drew first blood and it was thanks to their sister act. Last week Sharn Freier teed up her twin for her maiden professional goal and on Sunday Laini Freier returned the favour with the assist for the CommBank Matildas forward to break the deadlock in the ninth minute.
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Momo Hayashi doubled the lead eight minutes later with an incredible free-kick that swerved past Chloe Lincoln and proved too hot to handle for the Western goalkeeper – adding to the Japanese recruit’s stunning list of goal-of-the-season contenders.
By the 26th minute, the Roar were 3-0 ahead thanks to Laini Freier, who backed up her maiden hat-trick with another goal in Round 8.
Matildas star and Western captain Chloe Logarzo gave the home side a glimmer of hope with her 30th-minute penalty.
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But Brisbane quickly restored their three-goal cushion via Leia Varley two minutes later to all but extinguish Western’s slim hopes.
It got worse for Western in first-half stoppage time when Laini Freier caught Lincoln off her line with a spectacular long-range strike.
Sharn Freier made it 6-1 eight minutes into the second half as the Roar continued to run rampant away from home.
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In just her fourth appearance and second start, Laini Freier completed her hat-trick eight minutes later before captain and Matildas star Yallop got in on the action with 20 minutes remaining.
Western stopped the rot when a Holly McQueen own goal reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute.
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There was a wild moment during the closing stages when both Yallop and Brisbane teammate Mariel Hecher struck the post.
