The highly anticipated clash at Deakin Stadium on Sunday is not the only reason to turn up to the grounds this weekend. Round 3 will potentially mark a first turn in the season, with four teams involved in this weekend’s action yet to secure a victory all after their first win of 2024.
Friday night football is back at the AIS, where Gungahlin United hosts West Canberra Wanderers. While the Gunners suffered a second consecutive defeat on Sunday, the Wanderers were able to secure a draw against the ANU WFC at home.
Wooden spoonists last season, West Canberra will want to capitalise on that first point – and their first goal – and create a bit of an upset with a result on Friday. Doing so for their first game away and against a wounded Gungahlin would be a surprise indeed, given they failed to get a single point against the northernmost team in 2023.
The Gunners might have lost two for two, however they are absolutely a force to reckon with this season. The uncharacteristic defensive imprecisions that have tarnished their performances so far will need to be banished to allow Gungahlin to show they are on the right track to go up where they belong on the ladder.
They have been true to themselves everywhere else on the pitch. The football played is based on precise passing, technique, use of the width, and they have scored three goals already. The AIS meeting with West Canberra promises to be exciting, and a chance for both teams to prove they are better than what their first two games showed.
Deakin on Sunday will be yet again the backdrop to the Women’s NPL favourite duel. Many times, have Canberra Croatia and Belconnen United met there, and it is always a must see for neutrals and supporters of the two most successful teams in the competition. The home team, after a controlled win in Round 1, were smothered by Canberra Olympic in the first half at O’Connor Enclosed last week.
A better second half was a good sign for Zoran Glavinic’s team, with a great goal from Tatum Mazis being a sign that the ex-Blue Devil is gaining confidence a year after joining the Deakin side.
The confidence must be quite high at her old club too, with nine goals scored already this season by the McKellar residents. After Reilly Yuen, Alyssa Di Campli and Pascale La Hei recorded a brace each this past weekend, the bench showed their impact late in the game as well.
For the past two years, the narrative of the young team maturing has defined Scott Conlon’s side, but this season the expectations are higher, and have been met so far. Two consecutive successes against title contenders would be a sure way to confirm the Blue Devils’ status, before a two-week break.
Having both played once only, ANU WFC and Tuggeranong United meet at Hawker Football Centre to round up the weekend. The University Club and their new signings gave a good account of themselves at Wanderers Park last week, although lacking a bit of an end product.
Facing a Tuggeranong team they lost to twice in 2023 will be a good indicator of where the squad coached by Tom Crossley is at. The solid work rate his team displayed for the first game of the season left observers wanting for more.
Crossley will face another coach on the bench for her second game in new colours. Sarah West’s side’s first outing against Canberra Croatia was a bit of a baptism of fire against one of the very best team of the competition. Facing a team the Tuggies’ will remember scoring goals against last season could be a good boost for West.
With a bit of movement in the off-season, the young team in the South will see her trip up North as a good opportunity to showcase the talent of the summer additions.
FIXTURES
ROUND 3
Friday 19 April
Gungahlin United v West Canberra Wanderers (Gungahlin Enclosed, 14:00)
Sunday 21 April
Canberra Croatia v Belconnen United (Deakin Stadium, 14:30)
ANU WFC v Tuggeranong United (ANU South, 15:00)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Belconnen United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 |
| 2 | Canberra Olympic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | Canberra Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | ANU WFC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | West Canberra Wanderers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
| 6 | Tuggeranong United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 7 | Gungahlin United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
2: Madison CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (Belconnen United), Nicole JALOCHA (Canberra Olympic), Pascale LA HEI (Belconnen United), Brittany PALOMBI (Canberra Croatia), Reilly YUEN (Belconnen United)
1: Sofia CHAVERRA (ANU WFC), Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia), Hattie CRAM (Belconnen United), Jade EMMS (Belconnen United), Isabella HINDMARSH (Belconnen United), Alex MARTENS (Gungahlin United), Tatum MAZIS (Canberra Croatia), Ginger OLIVER (Gungahlin United), Darby WHITELEY (Gungahlin United), Sarah WHITFIELD (West Canberra Wanderers)
Words: Jeremy Magan
