Michelle Heyman and Chloe Logarzo celebrated their returns to the national team squad with goals, while Tameka Yallop was in imperious form as she helped Brisbane Roar to a win.
Read our recap of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
The round got underway on Friday night, as Western United defeated Canberra United 4-2. The result ensured that they would stay top of the table for at least another two rounds, now four points clear at the summit. American striker Hannah Keane scored a hattrick – the first of which was close to, or equal to, the fastest goal in competition history – and Chloe Logarzo chipped in with a goal and assist of her own.
Michelle Heyman started on the bench for Canberra after featuring in both games during the international window but made her presence felt in the second half, scoring a stunning goal in stoppage time. It would prove nothing but consolation but ensured she maintains a two-goal lead in the Golden Boot race.
A dramatic Sydney Derby on Saturday afternoon ended 2-0 in favour of Sydney FC. Mackenzie Hawkesby tucked away a penalty in the second half, before a red card to Vicky Bruce took the Western Sydney Wanderers’ task to get back into the game out of reach. Caley Tallon-Henniker - on A-League Women’s debut - made sure of the result, scoring the Sky Blues’ second goal in stoppage time.
Sydney’s impressive defensive record continued, with Jada Whyman keeping an eighth clean sheet of the season. Cortnee Vine was heavily involved at the other end, while Sophie Harding looked lively for the Wanderers, but was unable to put a goal away. Sydney is now third, five points away from first, but with a game in hand.
The Brisbane Roar upset Melbourne City at home with a vital 2-0 victory. After a scoreless first half, goals to Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier – both assisted by through balls from Tish Woods, in her third A-League Women’s appearance – got the Roar over the line in front of their home fans.
City will count themselves unlucky to not have scored, especially given they rattled the woodwork on an astonishing four occasions. They are now four points away from the top of the table and will have some work to do to turn their form around in the latter part of the season.
Melbourne Victory flew out of the gates in the first half to defeat Wellington Phoenix 5-3. Beattie Goad was crucial, scoring a brace on her return from study leave. Tori Hansen, Rachel Lowe, and a Rylee Foster own goal – forced by a stunning strike from Alex Chidiac - was responsible for the remainder.
To their credit, the Phoenix kept pushing, and two goals in stoppage time to Michaela Robertson and Mariana Speckmaier made the scoreline respectable. However, it was always going to be an uphill battle after going into the half-time break 4-0 down.
Chidiac and Emily Gielnik started for Victory, both playing a central role in chance creation throughout the match. Elise Kellond-Knight picked up a knock late in the week and was left out of the matchday squad as a precaution. Lydia Williams remains unavailable after an ankle injury.
The Newcastle Jets’ 41 shots were not enough to claim three points against Perth Glory, the game ending 1-1. The Glory scored an own goal in the first few minutes of the game and shut up shop for the rest of the game. Outrageous saves from Morgan Aquino added to the Jets' frustration. They eventually broke through for an equaliser from the boot of MelindaJ Barbieri, but just could not find the winner. 17-year-old Josie Allan came close in the last seconds of the game – but again, Aquino leapt through the air to deny her, and the points were shared.
The result means that the Jets hold onto their top six place – just – equal on points to the Glory, who are below them based on games won. The Wanderers sit one point below them in eighth, with the Roar making a late charge in ninth.
The Central Coast Mariners gave their finals chances a huge boost, defeating Adelaide United 2-0 at home. After a scoreless first half, Tiarna Karambasis scored her first A-League Women’s goal just after the break, and Chinese international Wurigumula doubled their lead 14 minutes later. Kyah Simon started the match for the Mariners and played 68 minutes.
There are now just four rounds to go in the A-League Women, in the competition's first-ever full home and away season. The premiership and top six race is still very much open and it promises to be an exciting run-in to the finals.
You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or Paramount+.