Three midweek fixtures this week produced dramatic upsets and goals galore as Brisbane Roar moved to outright second on the table.
Meanwhile, the action continues this weekend, with seven CommBank Matildas battling it out as Brisbane back up against undefeated league leaders Melbourne City.
Read about all of the Matildas at Home action below.
Newcastle Jets 3 – 3 Adelaide United
The Jets scored two late goals in torrential rain to steal a point against Adelaide United.
Fiona Worts opened the scoring in the opening few minutes, and the score remained 1-0 until a final 15 minutes in which the game sprung to life. Emily Condon made it 2-0 before Josie Allan pulled one back for the Jets only moments later.
When Lucia Leon made it 3-1 in the 78th minute, Reds fans could have been forgiven for thinking that the three points were sewn up. It was not to be. A Deven Jackson goal, and a stoppage time equaliser for youngster Claire Adams – her first in the league – secured a point for the Jets in front of their home fans.
Matilda McNamara started and played the full match for Adelaide. Tash Prior was unavailable for the Jets.
Brisbane Roar 2 – 0 Melbourne Victory
Brisbane Roar went outright second on the ladder when they defeated Melbourne Victory 2-0.
The Roar dominated much of the match, and a first-half brace for CommBank Junior Matilda Grace Kuilamu was enough to get them over the line. It was an important victory for Brisbane after dropping points on the weekend to Canberra.
Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier both played the full match for Brisbane, while Emily Gielnik did the same for Victory. Alex Chidiac started before being withdrawn after 60 minutes.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – 3 Wellington Phoenix
An Alyssa Whinham wonder-strike helped the Wellington Phoenix to a 3-0 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Phoenix started the better of the two sides but were unable to convert in the first half. The Wanderers' woes were exacerbated when goalkeeper Sham Khamis was given a straight red card in the 35th minute.
While the Wanderers held on for the first half, it only took seven seconds of the second half for the Phoenix to find the breakthrough. Alyssa Whinham scored almost immediately from kickoff, from a long way out, to give Wellington the lead. Further goals to Alivia Kelly and Emma Main sealed the result.
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Date: Friday, 10 January
Kickoff: 10 pm AEDT (7 pm local)
Venue: Sam Kerr Football Park
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Perth Glory
Perth Glory host bottom-of-the-table Sydney FC in what is a crunch game for both sides.
Both teams find themselves several wins outside of the top six, and as the halfway point of the season approaches, three points become increasingly important. The Glory are arguably slight favourites but find themselves up against history, with Sydney FC not having lost in Western Australia since December 2018.
Canberra United v Western United
Date: Saturday, 11 January
Kickoff: 5 pm AEDT
Venue: McKellar Park
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: TicketSearch
It's been an up-and-down season for both sides so far and is shaping up to be an intriguing battle between Canberra United and Western United this weekend.
Canberra are backing up after a shock victory over Brisbane Roar. A win could see them finish the round in the top six for the first time since the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, Western United are also coming off a win and will be hoping to solidify their finals place while putting a few heavy defeats behind them.
Michelle Heyman will be available for Canberra while Chloe Lincoln and Chloe Logarzo will be available for Western United.
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Date: Saturday, 11 January
Kickoff: 5 pm AEDT
Venue: No.2 Sports Ground
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: TicketMaster
The Newcastle Jets host Melbourne Victory on Saturday, desperate to bounce back after their midweek defeat.
Victory remain third on the table and are hopeful for a win on the weekend to keep them competing with the top two. Meanwhile, the Jets sit just outside finals places and will need to start winning if they hope to contend on the biggest stage in Autumn.
Tash Prior will be unavailable for the Jets, while Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik will be available to line up for Jeff Hopkins’ side.
Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar
Date: Saturday, 11 January
Kickoff: 7.45 pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketek
First-place Melbourne City take on second-place Brisbane Roar in a blockbuster clash on Saturday night.
City are currently undefeated but have shown vulnerability, particularly in defence. That is something that the Roar – who have scored by far the most goals in the competition – will be hoping to exploit.
A remarkable seven CommBank Matildas will face off in this match. For City, Laura Hughes, Karly Roestbakken, Leah Davidson, Bryleeh Henry and Holly McNamara will all be available.
The Roar will be hoping the good form of Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier continues, as a win would see them finish top of the league.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners
Date: Sunday, 12 January
Kickoff: 5 pm AEDT
Venue: Wanderers Football Park
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Free Entry
The Wanderers will have a chance to shake off their loss to the Phoenix when they take on the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
Western Sydney have shown signs of attacking intent throughout the season but only in glimpses. They’ll need to put together one of their better performances against a Mariners side who have had a week to stew on failing to put away their chances against Adelaide.
Jess Nash will be available for the Mariners in defence.
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Sunday, 12 January
Kickoff: 5.30 pm AEDT
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketek
Adelaide United taking on Wellington Phoenix presents a fascinating fourth vs fifth battle that could have a hand in determining the make-up of the finals at the end of the season.
A win for either side could see them rise as high as third on the table. They have incredibly similar records – only a goal difference of two separates them – and any points that see them remain in the top six at the halfway point of the season are vital.
Matilda McNamara will be available for Adelaide.
