The world almost stopped turning last week as Melbourne City only beat Newcastle Jets by a solitary goal.
Pundits called it one of the standout games of the season, with the competition’s leaders flaws exposed.
Yet the result harked back to days of Round 2 when, after missing a huge chunk of the squad to international duty, the side rallied to defeat Victory 2-1 with the likes of Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and Hannah Brewer gracing the pitch.
Except this time, it happened on a day when coach Joe Montemurro had the luxury of tinkering the line-up, opting for a back three with wingbacks. Why? Just because.
“You see that we changed formation this week because we want to play and we want to win but also we want to challenge these girls. We ask them to play out of their comfort zone to see if they can adapt,” Jess Fishlock said.
So Rebekah Stott and Marianna Tabain took to the bench, while Bri Davey got her first start of the season.
And it wasn’t Larissa Crummer or Kim Little doing the honors – rather, it was left to 18-year-old Beattie Goad to score the winner, only her second goal of the season.
Although City didn’t quite adapt as comfortably as they could, they still restricted their opponents at home and took the three points.
The Jets then went on to lose their next game to Adelaide 5-1.
This week City are back at home against Perth, with last year’s premiers form a shadow of their former selves in 7th place. Their most recent clash was a 2-4 defeat against Sydney FC.
Canberra beat Victory yesterday, meaning the Premiership mathematically isn’t a certainty yet for City, but they’re coming close to wrapping the competition up – should they win today, it’ll be nine from nine in 2015.
Selection news
Three of City’s last four games are at home, affording Montemurro more scope for rotation and experimentation.
However, after last week’s struggles, the side may return to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation.
Laura Alleway is the one omission this week due to injury, with Mexican international Anisa Guajardo returning to the squad in her place.
Melbourne City: 1. Brianna Davey (GK), 3. Alex Chidiac, 4. Jennifer Beattie, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Stephanie Catley, 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jessica Fishlock, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 13. Rebekah Stott, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Anisa Guajardo, 20. Trudy Burke (GK)
Key Players
Aivi Luik
Of the beneficiaries from featuring in a superstar team – think the likes of Larissa Crummer and Marianna Tabain – Luik is also one of the players to significantly raise her profile as a result of this season’s success so far. The 30-year-old has featured in every game all campaign, providing an assured presence in the middle of park. The six-time Matilda has now been invited to a training camp, joining the likes of mainstays Steph Catley, Lisa De Vanna, Laura Alleway and Crummer in the squad.
Amy Jackson
Such is the depth of City’s squad that last year’s Victory Player of the Season features off the bench when the side is at full strength. However, she is first cab off the rank when injuries or suspensions hit the squad, and will most likely slot to centre-back in Alleway’s absence. Should she start, and despite Perth’s struggles this season, the natural midfielder will still have to contend with the threat of Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr at the back.
Predicted line-up
Substitutes: Trudy Burke (GK), Beattie Goad, Alex Chidiac, Anisa Guajardo
Predicted result
In the reverse fixture, City put away Perth 4-0 on the road, and something similar can be expected today. 3-0 City.