Michelle Heyman will take to the pitch for Canberra United in her first match since being recalled to the CommBank Matildas.
Meanwhile, there could be four CommBank Matildas involved when the Central Coast Mariners host Melbourne Victory in a crucial match-up, as the A-League Women gets ready to go down to the wire.
Read our preview of all of the Round 16 action below.
The Western Sydney Wanderers and the Newcastle Jets will get the round underway on Friday, 7pm AEDT. Both sides are sitting one point outside the top six and a win for either could be crucial in catapulting them into finals contention. Sophie Harding and Sarina Bolden are shaping up to be the key players for their respective sides, with eight goals apiece.
It’s another important clash for both sides when the Central Coast Mariners take on Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 5pm AEDT. The Mariners are currently the surprise package of the competition, sitting in sixth place, while Victory are one point above them in fourth.
Kyah Simon has come off the bench in the last two matches for the Mariners and can be expected to do so again this week as she continues to build her fitness after injury.
Emily Gielnik, Elise Kellond-Knight and Alex Chidiac are expected to start the match for Victory. Lydia Williams is still unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery.
In arguably the biggest game of the round, top-of-the-table Melbourne City will look to bounce back into form, taking on third-place Sydney FC. While City will no longer have the services of Kaitlyn Torpey or Canadian goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx – both signing in the NWSL this week – they still possess plenty of firepower to take the game to defending champions Sydney.
Cortnee Vine will be hoping to build on her assist and two goals from last week, whereas Jada Whyman will look to keep things tight at the other end of the park.
Perth Glory will host Canberra United on Saturday, 10.30pm AEDT. The Glory have not won in this competition since December, and have slid down to fifth place on the table as a result. They will be hoping that bottom-place Canberra provides an opportunity to get back on the winner’s list. However, it won’t be straightforward – the travelling side defeated Melbourne City last week and boast golden boot leader, and recent CommBank Matildas call-up, Michelle Heyman in their ranks.
Finally, Western United will take on Brisbane Roar on Sunday, 5pm AEDT. Western find themselves second on the table and, if Sydney can overcome Melbourne City on Saturday, three points against Brisbane would see them equal on points with first place. Tameka Yallop’s Roar side would potentially finish the round one point away from the top six if they can walk away with the upset.
The game between Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United has been postponed until March.
You can catch all of the A-League Women’s action on 10Play and Paramount+.