Melbourne Victory came from behind to earn a point out of a feisty Ninja A-League encounter with Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon.
Ella O’Grady repaid the faith shown in her by Jeff Hopkins as she equalised Tessa Salvestrin’s early penalty on her first start of the 2026/27 season to earn those in navy blue a draw.
Victory sign off the month with another home fixture, taking on Perth Glory on Sunday, November 22, kick-off 3:00pm AEDT. Tickets for the fixture can be purchased now by clicking here.
Team news
The Head Coach made two changes to the starting XI, with O’Grady and Alana JanÄŤevski replacing Sophie Harding and Zoe McMeeken, both of whom were on a substitutes bench that included Grace Maher for the first time this season.
Match action
There were only three minutes on the clock when Adelaide went in front from the penalty spot. Angie Beard was penalised for handball at a corner and from the resulting spot kick, Salvestrin opted for power to draw first blood.
Buoyed by the opener, the Reds went in pursuit of a second. Ayana Aoyagi had to be alert to beat Claudia Cicco’s angled drive away, and there was a collective sigh of relief when Salvestrin’s radar was off at the near post.
The match continued, which was becoming a real fight, to move along at speed, and a sequence of flashpoints saw four bookings dished out in as many minutes, but surprisingly no free kick in the home team’s favour when Sienna Saveska took a forearm to the face.
Victory’s playmaker nearly responded by landing a blow of her own, but Saveska’s connection to Beard’s cross was kept out by Ilona Melegh.
United’s goalkeeper was, though, beaten 10 minutes before half-time. After Isabella Yakel stayed down following a clash with Anna Sutter, the Girls in Blue made the most of the brief numerical advantage to equalise, with O’Grady squeezing the ball in as two defenders made a complete mess of mopping up Beard’s searching cross from deep.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 1-1 Adelaide United
The first-half’s ill-feeling continued into the second 45 and, inexplicably, Salvestrin was not cautioned for a late, reckless slide tackle on Morrison.
However, a deflected Skye Leach effort aside, the attacking flow was not forthcoming for either team, and for the first time Hopkins turned to his bench, introducing Harding for the goalscorer O’Grady.
This switch sparked something. Holly Furphy was unleashed down the right, and JanÄŤevski fired the low centre into the side netting.
Adelaide then created their first genuine chance of the half and were fractions from retaking the lead. Kiera Meyers latched onto a teasing cross and connected firmly, only to crack the upright.
Next, Victory were denied a winner by the bounce of the ball. Beard’s threaded pass through the lines set Harding free, and she beat Melegh, but saw her shot fade away at the last.
Match details
Melbourne Victory 1 (O’GRADY 35′)
Adelaide United 1 (SALVESTRIN 3′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK), 16. Anna Sutter, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 13. Angie BEARD, 14. Alicia WOODS, 2. Skye LEACH, 9. Holly FURPHY,10. Sienna SAVESKA (81. Grace MAHER 79′), 66. Alana JANÄŚEVSKI (11. Nicki FLANNERY 72′), 7. Ella O’GRADY (8. Sophie HARDING 63′).
Substitutes not used: 30. Chloe MCKENZIE (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 28. Sienna TECHERA.
Booking: MORRISON 19′, O’GRADY 21′, JANÄŚEVSKI 27′.
Adelaide United starting XI: 1. Ilona MELEGH (GK), 2. Emily HODGSON, 3. Claudia CICCO, 6. Melissa TARANTO (12. Carina ROSSI 73′), 8. Paige ZOIS (5. India BREIER 74′), 9. Kiera MEYERS, 11. Tessa SALVESTRIN (7. Emilia MAKRIS 59′), 15. Adriana TARANTO (C),16. Isabella YAKEL (4. Holly MURRAY 41′), 23. Tianna HARRIS, 25. Lara GOOCH, (10. Chelsie DAWBER 46′).
Substitutes not used: 18. Amelie MILLAR (GK), 14. Maeve NICHOLAS.
Booking: M. TARANTO 21′, ZOIS 22′, HARRIS 30′, MURRAY 70′.
