Round 12 of the 2015-16 W-League saw Canberra United confirm a finals berth, with no other team grabbing their chances to separate from the mid pack.
Here are the W-League power rankings for Round 12.
1. Melbourne City (no change)
A 4-0 win against WSW, a double to Kim Little and goals to Beattie Goad and Marianna Tabain showed that City are still the team to beat, and they don’t intend to spoil their perfect season. With the week off next week, they only have one regular season game between them and a perfect season.
2. Canberra United (no change)
An injury during the warm up to Emma Checker reduced Canberra’s bench by one in the 35c heat in Perth. That didn’t stop Ellie Brush and Ash Sykes scoring to give Canberra a 2-0 win.
They return back to Canberra to host Western Sydney Wanderers, in a match that will be important to keeping momentum heading into finals.
3. Brisbane Roar (+2)
Three goals in the first half to Ruth Blackburn, Kirsty Yallop and Gabe Marzano setup Brisbane Roar’s victory against the Lady Reds in Adelaide. An injury-time goal to Adelaide the only blemish in a solid performance that keeps the Roar’s finals hopes alive.
They host Melbourne Victory in Brisbane next week, who are carrying some form after winning this week.
4. Sydney FC (-1)
They sat this week out with the bye and host Newcastle Jets at home before the men’s A-League game. A virtual elimination final, as both teams need the other to lose to make finals.
5. Melbourne Victory (+4)
Natasha Dowie’s goal in the first half was the only score of the match, sealing a 1-0 win for the Victory. The Victory look dangerous, and won’t be walkovers when they travel to Brisbane to take on the Roar.
6. Adelaide United (-2)
Abbigail Dahlkemper scored late in injury time to give the scoreboard at least one goal to the Reds in a 1-3 loss. The loss keeps Adelaide in the pack with Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and possibly WSW.
Doesn’t get any easier, with a Sunday afternoon match in Perth against the Glory.
7. Newcastle Jets (-1)
A 0-1 loss against Melbourne Victory is a game of missed opportunities for the Jets. Straight shots against one of the best goalies in the league isn’t going to work, and could potentially cost the Jets a place in the finals.
A red card to Sophie Nenadovic making it a day to forget for Jets fans.
A must win down the highway against Sydney FC awaits.
8. Perth Glory (no change)
The rematch of last season’s grand final had a similar result for Perth, going down 0-2 in hot conditions. With finals out of reach, it will all be about finishing strong, with next week’s match another home game against Adelaide.
9. Western Sydney Wanderers (-2)
Going down 0-4 to Melbourne City they became just another victim to the City machine. But the four goals against puts them in back of the pack, and a game behind which might be too much to close with only two games remaining.
An upset against Canberra United in Canberra the only way to keep their finals hopes alive.
There we have it Roarers, a quiet week for the top and some movement mid table. Next week will be huge for the mid table teams if they want to make finals. City versus Canberra in the final anyone?
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