THEY SAID IT: "It's tough to stay at the top. It's my job to get us out of this. It's a challenge, but I'm up for that, and so are the girls" - Sydney FC coach Ante Juric after his title-winning side slumped to last on the ladder following a 2-0 loss to Wellington.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK: The Freiers put on a show as they helped fire Brisbane to a 6-1 thumping of Newcastle. Laini Freier, identical twin of Matildas breakout star Sharn Freier, scored a hat-trick for her first league goals, with two assists from her sister.
WHAT A BLOOPER: Melbourne City goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri committed what was surely the biggest blunder of her glittering career when she allowed a harmless back pass to roll under her boot and through for a goal. Barbieri had momentarily taken her eye off the ball as it rolled towards her, and the former Matildas captain frantically scrambled back in a fruitless attempt to stop it. Luckily for her, City ended up winning the match 3-1 against Adelaide United.
STAT ATTACK: Melbourne City star Holly McNamara returned to the score sheet after 397 days. McNamara sealed all three points against the Reds in the 74th minute, just three minutes after coming off the bench. McNamara hadn't scored since rupturing her ACL when completing a hat-trick against Newcastle in November, 2023.
HOLLY MAC IS BACK! 🙌🩵— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) Matildas star Holly McNamara scores her first goal after a 13 month injury lay-off. What a moment 🥹📺 Watch #ADLvMCY live NOW on Paramount+ / 10 Play pic.twitter.com/ezc0NKsePjDecember 20, 2024
BEAT THAT: Brisbane's Momo Hayashi scored arguably the goal of the season against the Jets. Hayashi unleashed an extraordinary free kick from more than 30 yards.
UNDER PRESSURE: After breaking through for their first win of the season, a moment of ill-discipline cost Western Sydney their second triumph against Perth. Put ahead by captain Amy Harrison in the 84th, the Wanderers were made to settle for a point after goalkeeper Sham Khamis conceded a late penalty for fouling Glory's Miku Sunaga. Kelli Brown converted easily in added time.
UP NEXT: Western Sydney travel to take on Adelaide, while Perth welcome Central Coast on Friday to kick off round eight. On Saturday, Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City play Wellington before Canberra go toe-to-toe with Newcastle and Western United against Brisbane on Sunday.
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