ROUND 19 OF THE A-LEAGUE WOMEN COMPETITION AT A GLANCE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Central Coast striker Rola Badawiya was at her dangerous best against Canberra, thumping two goals past United keeper Coco Majstorovic in the 4-1 win. Given it was Badawiya's first double of the campaign, Mariner fans will be hoping she's found form at the right time of year.
KEY STAT: 10. That's how many games Perth Glory have now been winless following their 1-0 loss to the Wanderers. The barren run means the early-season ladder-leaders are no hope of making the finals.
BEAT THAT: Sophie Harding produced a goal-of-the-season contender to lift Western Sydney to a 1-0 win over Perth Glory. Harding broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when she chested down a long pass before unleashing a looping strike from outside the box, sending her teammates into a frenzy.
TALKING POINT: Can Central Coast win the Premier's Plate in their first season back in the competition? They're only two points back from Sydney FC with two games left, and are riding a quality four-game win streak.
UNDER PRESSURE: Canberra might have played quality attacking football and pumped games into young talents, but they've done nothing to address their leaky defence all season. Even adjusting for the longer season, they're on track for a goals-conceded-per-game ratio that would rank them among the worst ALW defences of recent times.
WHAT'S NEXT: Wellington play Adelaide in a catch-up game on Wednesday night, before a Saturday card loaded with finals implications. Third-ranked Melbourne City play fourth-placed Central Coast, while Western Sydney (sixth) will be desperate to take points from Western United. Newcastle could do their own finals chances a world of good with a win against Melbourne Victory on Saturday. League-leading Sydney FC cap the round against Adelaide, after Canberra battle Wellington and Brisbane take on Perth.
