Melbourne Victory extended their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season, winning their home opener against Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening.
Sienna Saveska’s first goal for the Club, an accurate first-time finish on her 11th appearance, was the difference in the second fixture of an AAMI Park double-header on Matchweek 3.
Victory are away to Brisbane Roar next weekend before welcoming Adelaide United to the Home of the Matildas on Saturday, November 14, kick-off 3:00pm AEDT. Tickets can be purchased now by clicking here.
Team news
Jeff Hopkins made one change for the home fixture, and it was an enforced one. Alicia Woods, observing concussion protocol, was replaced by fellow midfielder Skye Leach for her first Victory start. This freed up a spot on the bench, which was filled by Leyla Hussein, fresh from her adventures with Australia at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Defender Chelsea Blissett missed out with a groin complaint.
Match action
Victory, at home at last, after Matchweek 1 and 2 trips to Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix, found their groove early on in Victoria. A combination that has shown real promise at the start of the season, Holly Furphy and Sophie Harding, connected again, with the latter forcing a save from Claire Henninger.
Another attacker, Saveska, then had her first moment in the match, firing an inviting delivery across the face of goal, only for it to evade every other navy shirt, as the chance went begging.
Next time, she took matters into her own hands in devastating fashion. Anna Sutter was brave to win an aerial 50-50 on the edge of the box, which broke to Saveska, who picked out the bottom corner splendidly.
It could have been two before the recess, but Harding’s polite finish failed to ask Henninger any serious questions.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 1-0 Newcastle Jets
Victory were inches away from doubling their advantage as the second half ticked toward its midpoint. Alana Jancevski, who has already shown her free-kick potency this term, netting the Matchweek 1 winner, delivered dangerously and Kayla Morrison turned it onto the post.
Despite Newcastle offering a reducing threat, there was that typical sense that a second goal would be needed to ease any nerves, and with Nicki Flannery introduced, this nearly arrived.
Ella O’Grady, also brought into the action, picked out Flannery and it took a strong starting position from Henninger to keep out a stinging low shot at the near post.
The Jets continued to huff and puff, but without applying the final pass, Victory kept them at arm’s length to make it seven points from nine.
Match details
Melbourne Victory 1 (SAVESKA 23′)
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 16. Anna SUTTER, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN (7. Ella O’GRADY 62′), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 13. Angie BEARD, 2. Skye LEACH, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Sienna SAVESKA, 66. Alana JANÄŚEVSKI (21. Jasmine MILLAR 77′), 8. Sophie HARDING (11. Nicki FLANNERY 77′).
Substitutes not used:Â 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK), 20. Leyla HUSSEIN, 28. Sienna TECHERA.
Booking: None.
Newcastle Jets starting XI:Â 1. Claire HENNINGER (GK), 4. Natasha PRIOR, 6. Cassidy DAVIS (C), 8. Emma DUNDAS, 10. Elizabeth COPUS-BROWN (26. Josie ALLAN 65′), 11. Alexis Thornton, 17. Alexandra KLOS (32. Claire ADAMS 65′), 19. Tamar LEVIN, 20. Cameron VALLADARES, 22. Poppie HOOKS (7. Akeisha SANDHU 77′), 23. Zoe KARIPIDIS.
Substitutes not used:Â 12. Georgie RITCHIE (GK), 5. Emma BATES, 24. Erin FLUREY, 27. Chloe WALANDOUW.
Booking:Â KARIPIDIS 83′.
