Major Overseas Transfer for Western’s Goal-Scoring Star | Dub Zone | Ninja A-League 2024-25
To stay or to go? This was the debate featured in this week’s episode of Dub Zone, focused on Young Matildas forward Kahli Johnson’s forthcoming transfer to the Canadian team Calgary Wild.
The announcement of Johnson’s move to the franchise, which will participate in the inaugural season of the newly-established Northern Super League—Canada’s first professional women’s football league—was made ahead of Western’s Ninja A-League showdown with Melbourne Victory this Saturday evening.
The Round 17 match will mark Johnson’s final appearance in Western’s colours before her transfer to Calgary finalises for an undisclosed fee. This marks a historic moment for Western as they will receive a transfer fee for a Ninja A-League player for the very first time.
FULL STORY: Western United star achieves significant overseas transfer
In early February, A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri first reported on the interest from overseas clubs in Johnson during Dub Zone. With her move to Calgary now confirmed, Pellizzeri returned to the Dub Zone panel this week, joined by Sydney FC legend Teresa Polias, to analyse the 20-year-old’s transfer decision and its implications for Western United and the Golden Boot race.
Johnson has scored eight goals this season and was a strong contender for the league’s top scorer before her transfer was confirmed.
“This transfer is intriguing because the Canadian league is just starting up,” Pellizzeri observed.
“Western United are losing a Golden Boot contender and a key starting player at a crucial point in the season. Before we dive into the transfer specifics and its broader implications for the league, how do you think this affects Western United’s attacking strategy for the remainder of the season?”
“It creates a significant gap for Western,” Polias noted. “Johnson has been exceptional for them this season. They will need to consider a reshuffle… they have a few options, but it requires some serious thought.”
“The improvements she’s made from her start in this league to now are remarkable. Her aerial skills, dynamism, strength, dribbling, and positioning have been outstanding, particularly this season, generating numerous opportunities. The only aspect she needs to enhance is converting key chances at a higher rate, but that will likely improve with experience.”
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Since joining Western United in 2022, following a brief spell at Sydney FC, Johnson has made 47 league appearances.
“What I admire about Kahli Johnson’s journey is that she only played five games for Sydney FC before Western United brought her to Melbourne. It’s a true testament to her ability to maximise every minute she was given in the 2021-22 season,” Pellizzeri remarked. “She was a dynamic player off the bench, consistently catching the eye, despite limited playing time.”
“Strong teams vying for the title face similar challenges, like Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, where players struggle to get onto the bench and think: I need to emulate what Kahli Johnson did—make the most of every opportunity, and when the right moment comes up for more game time, take that risk to join a new club.”
“One thing to note is the Canadian league is a six-team affair and brand new. In Australia, at least your games are broadcasted so you can gain visibility, and being in an English-speaking league certainly helps too,” Pellizzeri added.
“I would have preferred her to stay. Stay and pursue the Golden Boot, win a Championship. Why leave now?”
“You never know what’s ahead,” Polias responded. “There are many factors at play. I would have loved to see Kahli Johnson claim that Golden Boot, but this opportunity presented itself, and she believes it’s the right step for her career. She made a smart choice coming to Western, and I trust her instincts about what’s right for her as a player.”
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‘They won’t fix it’: City expected to enter finals with a significant ‘flaw’
As they chase a Ninja A-League record for an unbeaten streak, Melbourne City are contending with a vulnerability that teams have often exploited this season, yet have failed to utilise to topple the league leaders.
City have fallen behind in eight matches this season but remain unbeaten through 17 fixtures. If they manage to defeat Canberra United this weekend, Michael Matricciani’s side will equal the Ninja A-League’s record of 18 consecutive matches unbeaten.
However, with Canberra striving for a top-six finish, head coach Antoni Jagarinec will undoubtedly strategise to force City into errors while building from the back.
This season, teams have frequently capitalised on City’s attempts to play short goal kicks to evade pressing opponents and create attacking opportunities. On this week’s Dub Zone, numerous examples of City losing possession in precarious areas were scrutinised, with Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory, and Central Coast Mariners all converting turnovers within City’s defensive zone into goals.
“They do have their flaws, and we’ve discussed it extensively, yet many teams haven’t taken advantage of the patterns emerging this season,” Pellizzeri commented.
“Given the extensive footage documenting these mistakes throughout the season, can they resolve this, or will they simply rely on their attacking capabilities?”
“They certainly do,” Polias replied. “They rebound from those mistakes well, adhering to their philosophy without panicking, consistently scoring late winners or equalisers.”
“I don’t anticipate them abandoning their approach; instead, I think they’ll remain confident in their process.”
‘Time to prove us wrong’: Phoenix urged to capitalise on a crucial five-match stretch to reach finals
The moment is ripe for Wellington Phoenix to make their mark.
Currently sitting eighth, four points adrift of Central Coast Mariners in sixth, Wellington still have a fighting chance of qualifying for the finals despite entering Round 17 on a four-match winless streak.
With seven matches remaining, five will take place at their home venue, Porirua Park, where they have suffered only one defeat this season.
Across their six home fixtures, the Phoenix have won four, drawn one, and lost one.
“It’s quite tough for travelling teams to secure a win in Wellington,” Polias noted on Dub Zone.
“They perform exceptionally well at home, so having five back-to-back matches there is advantageous, but they must capitalise on it.”
“They are close, but those five games will be a significant test for them.”
If the Phoenix harbours any ambition of breaking into the top six by season’s end, Pellizzeri believes Paul Temple’s squad must enhance their scoring output.
With only 20 goals this season, they lag behind five of the current top six teams, each having scored 28 or more.
“My concern with Wellington is that prior to the season, both we in Australia and Kiwi journalists remarked they lacked the firepower to net enough goals for a finals appearance, and thus far, they’ve done nothing to prove otherwise,” Pellizzeri expressed.
“It’s time to prove us wrong, Wellington; you need to score more goals, as that’s the only path to securing the necessary victories for finals contention.”
Two contenders emerge for the coveted Julie Dolan Medal
As the regular season nears its conclusion, conversation will intensify around the Ninja A-League’s end-of-season accolades, particularly the esteemed Julie Dolan Medal.
With sixteen rounds into the season, standout individual performances have flourished, and in the absence of a clear front-runner, the competition for the medal is set to be fierce.
However, the Dub Zone panel has identified their frontrunners, highlighting strikers as key players in the Julie Dolan Medal conversation.
“This season is destined to be a close race,” Pellizzeri remarked. “It’s hard to predict. If I were to single out someone from 10 or 15 contenders, it’s challenging, but I believe the top-performing team, the one that hasn’t lost yet this season, is worthy of attention.”
“The 3-2-1 voting method means that Mariana Speckmaier has experienced some quieter matches, but she has also hit some impressive peaks, scoring crucial match-winning goals; those moments garner votes.”
“That’s why I’m leaning towards Mariana Speckmaier for the Dolan Medal.”
In her debut season with Melbourne City, Speckmaier has netted six goals and delivered three assists over 17 appearances, including a superb strike against Sydney FC that helped clinch victory in the Grand Final rematch during Round 16, earning her the Goal of the Week accolade.
Conversely, Polias posits that after 16 rounds, Erin Healy, the winger from Adelaide United, is well-placed to clinch the Julie Dolan Medal.
“My choice differs from yours, thankfully; it’s great we’ve both selected someone different yet equally deserving,” Polias stated.
“I am backing Erin Healy from Adelaide United. She has consistently stood out in every match and has played a pivotal role in lifting Adelaide from the bottom last season to a competitive position this season.”
Healy has contributed five goals and one assist throughout 14 games for the Reds.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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