Two CommBank Matildas celebrated their return to the national team in style, with Michelle Heyman and Chloe Logarzo both scoring braces – Logarzo’s second goal being a stoppage time winner for Western United.
Read our review of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
The weekend began on Friday night, with Western Sydney Wanderers defeating Newcastle Jets 2-1 in front of a huge crowd in Bathurst. Newcastle had the better of the opportunities, particularly in the first half, and took the lead through a Libby Copus-Brown rocket. However the Wanderers hit back, Sophie Harding equalising just before half-time before American defender Vicky Bruce took advantage of a set piece scramble in the second half to score the winner.
The Central Coast Mariners held Melbourne Victory to a 1-1 draw thanks to some superb goalkeeping from Casey Dumont. Young Matilda Peta Trimis opened the scoring for the Mariners, but it was Victory who had the greater opportunities as the game wore on. Emily Gielnik continued her good form since her return to fitness, equalising in the second half, but Victory were not able to turn their dominance into three points.
Alex Chidiac and Elise Kellond-Knight both started in midfield for Victory, while Gielnik played 79 minutes before being substituted. Lydia Williams is still unavailable after her ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, Kyah Simon played her first minutes in front of the Mariners home crowd this season, coming onto the pitch in place of the goalscorer Trimis in the 65th minute.
44-year-old Melissa Barbieri saved a penalty as Melbourne City were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Sydney FC. Sydney had 19 shots to City’s 2, but were unable to find the back of the net, despite constant pressure. Cortnee Vine played the full match for Sydney but was well marshalled by Young Matilda Naomi Chinnama, while Jada Whyman had very little to do in goals at the other end. The result means that City remain top of the league for another week – but the gap has been cut to one point.
Isobel Dalton scored a stoppage time equaliser for Perth Glory at the end of an entertaining 2-2 draw with Canberra United. Michelle Heyman struck twice in the second half to increase her lead in the golden boot race and underline why the 35-year-old has been recalled by Tony Gustavsson to the CommBank Matildas squad. However, goals to Susan Phonsongkham and the late winner from Dalton meant that the home side did not leave empty-handed. After such a promising start to the season, the Glory have still not won since December 2023 – they remain in the top six by a single point.
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Chloe Logarzo was the hero for Western United as her side came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 win over Tameka Yallop’s Brisbane Roar. Western struck first, Logarzo scoring a header from a corner to go one goal to the good. However, a 1-2 punch by the Roar – goals to Kijah Stephenson and Mia Corbin, both coming from Sharn Freier crosses – gave Brisbane the lead at half-time.
The home side came out firing after the break and dominated proceedings. They finally got the breakthrough their play deserved when Adriana Taranto scored from another corner. It set the stage for a compelling finish when Yallop conceded a penalty in stoppage time. Up stepped Logarzo, who made no mistake, and put her side within touching distance of the top of the table.
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Both CommBank Matildas played the full matches for their respective sides.