Melbourne Victory Women kick off our AAMI Park doubleheader, facing Brisbane Roar on Saturday, April 19.
Amid a historic seven-game winning streak, Victory will be keen to continue their hot form heading as they prepare for the final game of the regular season.
A win for Victory poses the chance to claim the Premiers Plate, depending on results across the competition.
Melbourne Victory:
Playing two consecutive games against the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Central Coast Mariners in New South Wales, Victory managed to steer through both games by securing 1-0 wins in each.
It has seen Jeff Hopkins’ side break club records for both winning and undefeated streaks, a commendable achievement for such a consistent side.
A highly impressive 10 clean sheets and just 21 goals conceded this season has been essential to Victory’s success, establishing a rock-solid defensive structure.
The returning Kiwi defender Claudia Bunge was central to Victory’s success against the Mariners, scoring the winning goal while helping deny any clear chances for the home side.
While Victory have been able to comfortably establish a top-two position in the Ninja A-League ladder, meaning they will automatically play in the Semi-Finals come May; they will also have the possibility to become Premiers this Saturday.
Sitting two points ahead of Victory, league leaders Melbourne City will travel across the country to face Perth Glory on Friday night.
Due to a favourable goal difference for Melbourne City, a first loss of the season for the Citizens will be required to allow Victory the opportunity to lift the Premiers Plate on Saturday if they defeat Brisbane Roar.
With both Victory and City fighting neck and neck in a truly historic season, it will ultimately all come down to this weekend to discover who will be the 2024/25 Premiers.
Round 23 Squad:
3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Brisbane Roar
Providing Victory with only their second loss of the campaign back in January, Brisbane Roar’s season has since capitulated.
Sat in 2nd place ahead of Victory after a comfortable 2-0 win in Brisbane, the Roar have since been victorious just once in their following 12 matches.
Winless in their last eight games, including six losses in this period, the Roar are no longer able to make the Finals after falling out of the top six.
This is despite the Roar scoring the second-most goals in the league behind Melbourne City, particularly thanks to the 12 goals from veteran Matildas midfielder and captain Tameka Yallop.
