A-League Women’s round 2 likes and dislikes: Matildas return, bizarre scheduling clashes
The A-League Women was buzzing as Australian World Cup stars lit up on the field, but the competition still missed a trick. Round 2 likes and dislikes.
Erin Smith reveals her likes and dislikes from round 2 of the A-League Women’s competition.
ROUND 2 LIKES
MATILDAS RETURN
While most of the Matildas were missing in action from Round 1 - they were much easier to spot this weekend.
Tameka Yallop played for Brisbane Roar and the crowd almost gave her a standing ovation for every touch.
Chloe Logarzo was back for Western United after missing last week due to personal reasons.
It was her first A-League start in 1375 days.
And Elise Kellond-Knight was on the team sheet for the Victory.
Emily Gielnik didn’t make the team list for the Victory because she is still recovery from an ankle injury.
ONE TO WATCH
She didn’t get her name on the scoresheet but Holly McNamara was just as crucial to Melbourne City’s dominant performance as double goalscorer Rhianna Pollicina.
The 20-year-old is electrifying when she gets the ball at her feet and works just as hard off the ball.
After fighting back from a serious knee injury, McNamara seems to be an even better version of herself.
She was named player of the week in round 1 and was just as consistent against Canberra.
From testing the goalkeeper or creating something out of nothing, McNamara is shaping up for a standout season.
ROARING SUCCESS
World Cup fever struck again when 3679 fans walked through the gates at Ballymore to watch Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC go toe-to-toe.
It was a record Roar crowd for a stand-alone women’s game and a big improvement on the average of 900 people who attended last season.
It was the Roar’s first game at the redeveloped Ballymore Stadium.
Record crowd aside, the Roar put in a top performance that included marking Matildas speedy winger Cortnee Vine out of the game to earn a 1-0 win against the reigning champion thanks to a brilliant one-touch shot from Chelsea Blisset.
It was the first time the Queensland club had beaten its NSW rival since 2021 and the first time on home soil since 2016.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE
Full credit to the players, especially the Matildas and international stars, who took the time to meet with fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.
It’s moments like those that will help grow the game and build fans for life.
ROUND 2 DISLIKE
SCHEDULING ISSUES
Surely the fixtures could have been designed so that the men’s and women’s games from the same clubs didn’t clash.
While the Brisbane Roar women had a record crowd, there might have been a lot more people supporting them in the stands if the men’s game hadn’t been on at the same time.
Sure, the men played in a different state, but fans would have stayed home to watch on the TV instead of heading out to support the women.
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