First starts, wins and new records shape A-League Women’s Round three as Matildas stars selected

Things could have gone better in her first full match return on Sunday in a 1-0 defeat to the Wanderers, but all the signs are there for the midfielder’s successful return to the green and gold alongside superstars like Sam Kerr.

Yallop’s, and Michelle Heyman’s Matildas return to face New Zealand before the Asian Cup is just as crucial for the result as it is helping develop the A-League's’ most youthful prospects to the big state.

Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara and Brisbane Roar’s Chloe Lincoln’s performances for their clubs of late prove they’ll have no issues fitting into Joe Montemurro’s squad.

Whether their chances come in March’s tournament will have everything to do with how they help steer their clubs to success till then, a role they’ve had no issue with inside three rounds.

REDS BREAK A DUCK

Kiara De Dimizio would’ve had staticians quickly checking the record books when her wonder strike hit the back of the net just 27 seconds after the first whistle.

Emily Gielnik’s hit at 11 seconds in 2024 still stands, but Canberra United would’ve preferred to keep the record book closed instead of giving Adelaide their first win at home against them in almost four years.

Aside from an early blemish, there was a different look to the Reds who were finally able to convert their hunger in the final third into their first goals and first win of the season to finish 2-1 victors.

But despite the slow start to the year, fans will be most pleased with how convincing the home side looked, reminding everyone of their title credentials this season.

PURPLE CLOUD MAKES WAY FOR BLUE SKIES

Anything Adelaide can do, coach Ante Juric and Sydney said they can do better.

The other team stuck on two draws to start the season, midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesbury predicted before the game it wouldn’t be long before her Sky Blues got up and running, a statement they delivered on in their emphatic 2-0 win over Perth.

A game of two halves, a dominant Glory will be scratching their heads over their failure to capitalise in the first, before being punished in the second by Panama international Riley Tanner’s classy assist to Bianca Galic and a goal of her own.

Juric has been patient so far with a very new look Sydney side after their off-season overhaul, but the fruits are starting to show.

REVENGE COMPLETE

A hard and fast start to the season for last year’s Champions is quickly falling apart, in part thanks to their opponents from last season’s Grand Final.

Victory coach Jeff Hopkins knew there had to be changes made to go one better this season, and it was those changes that made all the difference on Saturday with his signing from City, Rhianna Pollicina.

A strike in her 100th game proved the difference in Victory’s 1-0 win to complete their revenge, but despite fielding a nearly completely new side, after back to back losses in Melbourne the alarm bells could soon start ringing in the Central Coast.

ROARING PAIN

Some things are never easy, except the hard things.

Like climbing off the bottom of the ladder by beating the competition leaders while on the road.

It was night and day between the Wanderers of the first two rounds to that against Brisbane, who found a new level of defensive resilience in their 1-0 win and managed what no one else has yet: silence superstar Bente Jansen.

New international recruit Kim So-Eun showed she too is one to watch up front this season despite arriving late to the party in Round 3, testing Brisbane defenders like they haven’t yet been to help her side break an eight game winless streak.