It’s rare that you can say a sequel is comparable to the original, with most relegated to the ‘sequels that should never have been made’ bin. So it’s refreshing that the sequel to women’s football’s inaugural league is proving not just comparable but maybe even better.
Admittedly I’ve long bemoaned the W-League’s lack of length, with 10 rounds plus finals over before you know it. But that brevity lends the league a sense of urgency, with teams exploding out of the blocks for a sprint to the finals finishing line. And what a sprint season two’s dash is proving to be.
Unlike the A-League, where there’s now ladder rungs between Melbourne and the rest of the league and plenty more rounds for them to extend that on-the-way-to-claiming-the-toilet-seat-again gap, the W-League’s table is congested and the teams have just one more game with which to secure their spots.
Roar Women have been knocked off their 18-games-unbeaten perch, other teams have hit their straps, and, as a result, round 10 is likely to be grand-final tense. Add in some milestones that teams and players will potentially reach, and the final round of season two is proving to be must-see.
Five teams are in contention for four finals spots, with even the order of the top four still up for grabs. Central Coast Mariners, complete with lead golden boot contender Michelle Heyman, will be looking to stave off a fight for the top spot and the Premiership from Sydney, who secured second spot courtesy of Roar’s shock loss in round nine.
Fourth-placed Melbourne Victory will be aiming to hold onto their spot as they take on a Perth Glory team strengthened by the recent arrival of Katie Gill. Fifth-placed Canberra United will be vying to overtake Melbourne with a win against an on-paper easier opponent (although don’t tell Roar Women that) in Adelaide United.
Combine that with some will-they-won’t-they be able to turn around their recent form slump suspense as the once-invincible Roar try to rectify their recently-derailed dominance and what we have is at least five — if not eight — teams in a sprint finish.
With 11 goals to date compared with 13 for last season’s golden boot, Leena Khamis, prime golden boot contender Michelle Heyman will be aiming to become the league’s top goalscorer this round. Averaging more than a goal a game, Heyman is on track to achieve it, but Khamis will be putting up a fight. Literally, as Heyman’s Central Coast are playing Khamis’ Sydney.
Also looking to record a milestone — although first and foremost a win — will be Roar Women, who need to score just two goals to notch up a total of 50 goals since the W-League’s inception. Whether they can reclaim second spot will depend largely on the outcome of the Central Coast v Sydney intrastate tussle which is, conveniently, being broadcast live and exclusive on ABC1 at 3pm on Saturday.
Indeed, round 10 will be the W-League’s grand final before the grand final, making this sequel — I mean, season — even more must-see.
For more information about the W-League, including fixtures and ticketing, visit the W-League website
Admittedly I’ve long bemoaned the W-League’s lack of length, with 10 rounds plus finals over before you know it. But that brevity lends the league a sense of urgency, with teams exploding out of the blocks for a sprint to the finals finishing line. And what a sprint season two’s dash is proving to be.
Unlike the A-League, where there’s now ladder rungs between Melbourne and the rest of the league and plenty more rounds for them to extend that on-the-way-to-claiming-the-toilet-seat-again gap, the W-League’s table is congested and the teams have just one more game with which to secure their spots.
Roar Women have been knocked off their 18-games-unbeaten perch, other teams have hit their straps, and, as a result, round 10 is likely to be grand-final tense. Add in some milestones that teams and players will potentially reach, and the final round of season two is proving to be must-see.
Five teams are in contention for four finals spots, with even the order of the top four still up for grabs. Central Coast Mariners, complete with lead golden boot contender Michelle Heyman, will be looking to stave off a fight for the top spot and the Premiership from Sydney, who secured second spot courtesy of Roar’s shock loss in round nine.
Fourth-placed Melbourne Victory will be aiming to hold onto their spot as they take on a Perth Glory team strengthened by the recent arrival of Katie Gill. Fifth-placed Canberra United will be vying to overtake Melbourne with a win against an on-paper easier opponent (although don’t tell Roar Women that) in Adelaide United.
Combine that with some will-they-won’t-they be able to turn around their recent form slump suspense as the once-invincible Roar try to rectify their recently-derailed dominance and what we have is at least five — if not eight — teams in a sprint finish.
With 11 goals to date compared with 13 for last season’s golden boot, Leena Khamis, prime golden boot contender Michelle Heyman will be aiming to become the league’s top goalscorer this round. Averaging more than a goal a game, Heyman is on track to achieve it, but Khamis will be putting up a fight. Literally, as Heyman’s Central Coast are playing Khamis’ Sydney.
Also looking to record a milestone — although first and foremost a win — will be Roar Women, who need to score just two goals to notch up a total of 50 goals since the W-League’s inception. Whether they can reclaim second spot will depend largely on the outcome of the Central Coast v Sydney intrastate tussle which is, conveniently, being broadcast live and exclusive on ABC1 at 3pm on Saturday.
Indeed, round 10 will be the W-League’s grand final before the grand final, making this sequel — I mean, season — even more must-see.
For more information about the W-League, including fixtures and ticketing, visit the W-League website
