EVERYONE loves a winner, but sometimes an occasional loser is good too.

There's been plenty said about Clive Palmer's postulation that Gold Coast United could go through the A-League season undefeated. There's been scoffing that it's ridiculous, tall poppy talk, but less discussed is whether it's actually interesting or inspiring; whether it's a case of be careful what you wish for.

With almost their entire starting XI positions filled with the experience, talent, and familiarity of playing together of the Matildas, Roar Women were outright favourites in the inaugural W-League season and are red-hot favourites again in season two. And while I'd undoubtedly be the first to complain if they posted a dispirited, painful 3-0 pasting ala their A-League counterparts on Saturday night, it was Roar Women's near-draw or even loss in round three that proved one of their best and most exciting games to date.

They might have come away from the match with a 1-0 win, but the sole-goal score downplays the frenetic, physical encounter and the sheer volume of both teams' on-target shots - including those that hit the woodwork or were tipped up and over it through desperate, stretching goalkeeping. That Roar only finally found the back of the net late in the game off the boot of freshly subbed on Sasha McDonnell only added to the suspense, with this fan at least experiencing the slight, schadenfreude-esque thrill that back-to-back Championships weren't completely in the bag.

Indeed, while everyone loves a winner and we might wish for our teams to dominate and sweep clean the competition, it might actually be more exciting if there's some competition; if it's a two (or more) horse race.

Encouragingly, there are a few early contenders in this too-short season. Roar Women are the only team who remain undefeated at the end of round three, but Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory are staking claims in the W-League championship race. Sarah Walsh, Leena Khamis, and Cathrin Paaske have got their shooting boots on for Sydney and Matildas and Melbourne goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri appears to be a one-woman goal-preventing machine. Collette McCallum has scored two goals in two games, including a curling corner in round two that left goalkeeper Alison Logue entangled in the netting as she desperately tried to parry it, and Lisa de Vanna's speed, agility, and willingness to run at players-often multiple players-are keeping defenders thoroughly on their toes.

But perhaps most surprising - and exciting - in the first three rounds have been the dark-horse Central Coast Mariners. With hardly any household names in their ranks, few expected Central Coast to come firing out of the blocks and compete for the ladder lead. Even fewer expected them to truly trouble Roar Women, which they did as they battled to retain the season two undefeated record. Some would argue that they're peaking too soon, but with a season just 10 weeks long, if they're not peaking now, they're almost out of the running.

Coming off the back of two consecutive wins after a shock 3-1 round one loss to - you guessed it - Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC are the next team to have to chance to topple Roar Women. And while I'd never wish them to lose, I'm certainly hoping that Sydney FC - and then later Melbourne Victory - give Roar Women a good, hard, hunger-inducing, two-or-more-horse-race run for their money.