Melbourne City remain unbeaten after 18 games this season, confidently sailing towards the Premiers Plate. However, could it be that the leaders of the league are heading into the finals with a glaring weakness that might jeopardise their quest for the Ninja A-League Championship?
While no team has managed to defeat Michael Matricciani’s squad this season, several have exploited defensive lapses, taking advantage of loose passes and converting turnovers into goals.
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Thus far, this trend hasn’t resulted in a City defeat, as the Premiership frontrunners boast an impressive record of 11 wins and seven draws from 18 games, maintaining a five-point lead atop the table.
Nevertheless, an errant back-pass from Bryleeh Henry in Round 17 allowed Canberra United to salvage a draw, transforming a potential three points into just one. City had led 1-0 until Aideen Keane equalised in the 81st minute, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate at McKellar Park.
Keane’s late equaliser thwarted City’s chance to extend their lead to seven points. Consequently, they now sit five points ahead of rivals Melbourne Victory, who have a game in hand on City.
Following the draw, City’s captain and centre-back Rebekah Stott was queried about the defensive slip-ups.
“You can put a positive spin on it; teams aren’t really hurting us by breaking through our lines,” Stott remarked.
“Sure, we definitely want to address that. It’s important to stay focused throughout the game. By the end of the season, I believe we can rectify that, as it’s within our control.”
Stott’s comments ignited lively discussion in this week’s episode of Dub Zone, with A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri and Sydney FC legend Teresa Polias clashing over whether City’s defensive weaknesses should be viewed as a positive spin or a genuine concern needing urgent attention ahead of finals.
“I wouldn’t call it a spin,” Pellizzeri countered. “It’s been two months since a team scored against Melbourne City without a defensive or goalkeeping error, and the shot was taken from within the penalty area. Five goals have been conceded this season that weren’t the direct result of City’s mistakes.”
“Only three times have we seen opposition players score against City from inside the penalty box this season, thanks to their build-up play: Alana Jancevski in the first Derby and two goals from Michelle Heyman in December.
“We’ve had a couple of spectacular goals — Mackenzie Hawkesby and Lucy Johnson — for Sydney. Beyond that, every goal conceded has been self-inflicted, indicating that they are fine margins away from not conceding again.
“I actually think Stotty is somewhat right. I believe they are bordering on winning out the rest of the season if they can just implement a few minor adjustments.”
“But they haven’t made those adjustments,” Polias replied.
“Spin it however you like. They haven’t taken steps to change that behaviour on the pitch; it keeps happening. With the season nearing its end, I don’t foresee them changing course; they seem set in their ways.”
“There are still six games left and then finals,” Pellizzeri continued. “They’ve also got to juggle the Champions League… Yet, I still believe they’re remarkably close to figuring it out. As much as I might have previously argued that it could cost them a Grand Final, I genuinely think Stotty is correct. She makes an excellent point.”
Breakout Wanderers star following lead of Young Matilda’s leap of faith
Sienna Saveska is shining in her comeback season with Western Sydney Wanderers, with her attacking prowess drawing comparisons to another CommBank Young Matilda who made significant strides after a bold career decision.
Kahli Johnson made a leap in February, sealing a transfer from Western United to Canadian club Calgary Wild. This move came after her third season with 48 appearances in the Green and Black. After a mere five appearances at Sydney FC, the gamble proved fruitful for the young forward, who now thrives with her new club.
READ MORE: Western United star earns landmark overseas transfer
Western Sydney forward Saveska is on a similar path to Johnson; she returned to Wanderland for the 2024-25 season following a brief stint at Sydney FC, where she played only four matches.
At just 18, she has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 17 games this season, having managed only 11 appearances across two previous seasons split between the Wanderers and Sydney FC.
In Round 17, Saveska rejoined the Wanderers for a 2-1 victory over the Central Coast Mariners after an impressive performance in the PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament with the Young Matildas, where she netted six goals in three outings, including the goal of the tournament.
In assessing Saveska’s successful campaign thus far in 2024-25, Pellizzeri and Polias noted that she has taken a leaf out of Johnson’s book, carefully prioritising match minutes while deciding her next move after a single season with the Sky Blues.
“Saveska was only coming off the bench because of the Young Matildas,” Pellizzeri commented. “In our last recording, she scored a hat-trick in that final match, demonstrating her exceptional form. Even when coming off the bench, she’s making a significant impact on the game.
“There are certainly young players who aren’t getting much game time and they’re looking at what Kahli Johnson achieved, thinking, ‘That could be me.’”
“These are exemplary cases,” Polias concurred. “For Saveska to make that mature and difficult decision to return to the Wanderers shows her priorities, and it’s clearly paid off as she needed those minutes on the pitch.
“She’s a remarkable player, and being on the field allows her to hone her skills and improve consistently, benefiting both her and her team on a national level.”
Fresh injury concern for Matildas hopeful
Concern was palpable on Friday afternoon as Central Coast Mariners star Isabel Gomez went down in midfield, clutching her knee.
The 22-year-old recently returned from a right knee injury that sidelined her for three months after a tackle against Melbourne Victory in November — just days after she received her first senior call-up to the Matildas.
Gomez made her return in Round 16, coincidentally playing against Victory again, where she logged 59 minutes in a 2-0 defeat.
Last Friday, Gomez featured for 83 minutes in her side’s 2-1 loss to Western Sydney, where she also scored her third goal of the season before being injured while making a challenge on Wanderers winger Holly Caspers, suffering what appeared to be an injury to her left knee.
“This is a player who recently joined the Matildas but was injured from a tackle by Ellie Wilson during Unite Round,” Pellizzeri noted.
“We noticed her heavily bandaged right knee, but this concern relates to her left knee.”
“It’s very concerning,” Polias responded. “They just managed to get her back; she’s a player who gives her all in every match, maybe putting too much strain on her body. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and they will exercise caution to keep her on the pitch for the upcoming rounds.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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