The NPLW took a fascinating turn in Round 9 as the top two sides dropped points, a Matilda joined the competition, while a new genuine contender emerged to challenge the current top four.
Calder United were handed their first defeat of the season by a Leigh Gray-led Heidelberg United to open up the race to the top.
The scenario was looking good for Calder to extend their lead at the top of the table after Enza Barilla’s first half brace had the hosts up 2-0 at the break, but then a 10-minute Leigh Gray salvo after the break saw Heidelberg ahead 3-2 in just the 62nd minute.
The scoreline remained that way for the rest of the contest as Heidelberg continue their ascendancy up the NPLW hierarchy.
Calder’s defeat paved the way for Bulleen to re-take top spot from the side who defeated them just a few weeks ago, but they were left frustrated by Southern United.
The hosts may have been left to rue a line-up with Taryne Boudreau starting on bench alongside a number of senior debutants, but with plenty of quality on the pitch Bulleen would have been expecting a home win.
Yet a combination of profligacy up front and Freya Crocker in the Southern goals thwarted their advances, and only a Beattie Goad effort in the second half could cancel out the visitors’ opener when Saphri Lines’ earlier effort from a free kick wasn’t dealt with by Lauren Farrugia.
While Southern continue to look for their first win, their second consecutive point isn’t a bad way to slowly build some confidence.
Alamein have had a tough run of injuries of late, with both imports Hannah Keane and Megan Fish – the latter now flying back home to the States – out of action without a return date for now.
However, the mood was brightened by two new signings and three points on the weekend.
The highest-profile addition was Matilda and record-breaking W-League Golden Boot winner Larissa Crummer, who has hung around since winning the title with Melbourne City.
While she only featured for a half, she had a hand in W-League teammate Melina Ayres’ goal, with the youngster going on to score a hat-trick as Alamein prevailed 3-0 over Box Hill.
In an interesting sub-narrative, fellow signing Cristina Cardaci faced off against her old side for the first time since making the switch from Box Hill to Alamein, and also played a part in the win after coming off the bench in the second half.
READ MORE > Alamein complete Crummer, Cardaci double-swoop
Meanwhile, in a contest that for the most part flew completely under the radar this weekend, Galaxy United brushed past Bayside United 1-0 to consolidate their third position for the time being.
Kariah White’s 65th minute strike was enough to see off the plucky visitors, ensuring they weren’t leapfrogged by Alamein on the ladder.