Melbourne Victory Women visit Sydney FC in Round 21 of the Ninja A-League on Saturday, March 28, kick-off 5pm AEDT.
The penultimate round of 2025/26 regular-season action sends Jeff Hopkins’ team to Leichhardt Oval for a meeting with the competition’s bottom side.
Victory, before last weekend’s bye, defeated Western Sydney Wanderers at The Home of The Matildas, thanks to Holly Furphy’s second-half volley.
Sydney were beaten 1-3 by Wellington Phoenix in New South Wales, despite taking an early lead against the frontrunners for second place.
The Girls in Blue
Should they win their last two matches of the campaign, only a cruel combination of results can deny Melbourne Victory admission to the Ninja A-League Finals party.
The Girls in Blue added weight to the RVSP courtesy of their Round 19 win versus Western Sydney Wanderers, with Holly Furphy’s decider banishing fears of a third straight home draw, which would have left the door open wider to those teams in the chasing pack.
This was the attacker’s second match-winner in four matches, having put Victory in front over Newcastle Jets last month, as she thrives during what is her first full season at ALW level.
At the other end of the contest, Courtney Newbon’s efforts between the sticks, in front of a resolute back four, marshalled by the Captain, Kayla Morrison, brought up a sixth clean sheet.
Now, for the second time in 2026, they face Sydney FC, after the reverse fixture on the long weekend at the end of January ended goalless in Bundoora. It is then another interstate trip to take on Perth Glory.
Round 21 Squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Taylor RAY, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 20. Leyla HUSSEIN, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Payton WOODWARD, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER
Ins: 20. Leyla HUSSEIN
Outs: 14. Fiorina IARIA, 17. Poppy O’KEEFFE (international duty)
Unavailable: 8. Sienna SAVESKA (injured), 11. Nicki FLANNERY (injured), 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN (injured)
The Sky Blues
It has been all change at the top of Sydney FC since the reverse fixture, which proved to be one of Ante Juric’s last acts at the helm of his 157-match reign. The 52-year-old delivered six major honours over eight-and-a-half seasons, but departed at the beginning of February amidst a nine-game winless run.
He was immediately replaced, for the remainder of the season, by the club’s Academy Technical Lead and NPL Assistant Coach, James Slaveski, who has previously served as a coach for Matildas boss Joe Montemurro.
The change brought about a win at the third time of asking when everything clicked up in Queensland, with Brisbane swept aside 0-4, including goals for joint-top scorers Mackenzie Hawkesby and Riley Tanner, and a first for Willa Pearson, the A-Leagues youngest-ever player.
Unfortunately, losses to Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix have resumed the status quo, and the target now must be to avoid finishing bottom by leapfrogging rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
Run it back
Melbourne Victory had to settle for a point versus Sydney FC, as the classic A-League rivals could not be separated at The Home of The Matildas.
Sienna Saveska went closest for the hosts during the first half, trying her luck from distance, but Heather Hinz was untested.
The goalkeeper was busier after the interval, twice denying Victory’s leading scorer, Kennedy White, to keep the contest scoreless and the points shared.
Last time out
Melbourne Victory put their hand up for Finals by beating Western Sydney Wanderers on the occasion of Female Football Round.
Jeff Hopkins’ side took a deserved lead in the 57th minute when Kennedy White’s initial effort, saved by Shamiran Khamis, broke to Holly Furphy, who dispatched the airborne ball into an exposed goal.
Victory could have extended their advantage, but substitute Alana Jancevski could not find the accuracy required to convert Laura Pickett’s cross on the volley.
Sydney FC’s second-half slump cost them against Wellington Phoenix in Round 20 last Friday night.
They had led inside three minutes when Tallon Henniker delivered a composed left-footed finish, but would be pegged back before the quarter-hour mark, as Pia Vlok levelled for the visitors.
Marisa Van Der Meer was then allowed to find space in a crowded area to head in the Nix’s go-ahead goal from a corner midway through the second half before Brooke Nunn managed to fire in at the near post 15 minutes from time.
