Melbourne City have shaken off star attacker Holly McNamara's absence to power to a 3-2 win over Sydney FC and lay down their mark as A-League Women title contenders.
Elsewhere, Philippines striker Sarina Bolden, barely two hours after her signing was announced, led Newcastle to a 4-3 win over Canberra United while McKenzie Weinert helped Melbourne Victory beat Central Coast 2-1.
The Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United drew 1-1 at Suncorp Stadium, the first time the Roar had played an ALW game at the venue in 1766 days.
In their first game since McNamara's season-ending ACL tear, City rose to the occasion at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre and turned in a clinical first half against the reigning champions.
City opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Rhianna Pollicina slipped through Julia Grosso and she coolly finished first-time.
Leticia McKenna dragged a shot agonisingly wide on the half-hour mark but a minute later, City doubled their lead when Emina Ekic scored a wonderful 'Olimpico' goal.
The winger's corner caught the wind and floated out of Jada Whyman's reach before nestling in the goal.
City added one more before halftime.
Sydney defender Tori Tumeth heroically cleared Rhianna Pollicina's would-be goal off the line but Daniela Galic pounced on the rebound to score a third with the final kick of the half.
American defender Jordan Thompson, whose signing was announced on Sunday, dragged a goal back in the 74th minute and the game was suspended due to lightning two minutes later.
After the restart, Sydney defender Charlotte Mclean scored to make for a nervous finish, but City held on.
Canberra took the lead inside two minutes against Newcastle at McKellar Park when Michelle Heyman went on a brilliant run and coolly scored.
But just three minutes later, Emily van Egmond slipped through Bolden to coolly equalise.
Van Egmond put Newcastle in front with a deft chip in the 13th minute, before Canberra star Vesna Milivojevic equalised with a wonderful free kick in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later Bolden restored Newcastle's lead when she latched onto a long ball and chipped Chloe Lincoln.
Lauren Allan added another in the 81st minute before Milivojevic scored in the 90th minute to make for a nervous finish.
Earlier, American McKenzie Weinert scored a dramatic late winner to earn Melbourne Victory a 2-1 win over Central Coast and extend their unbeaten run to four games.
Kurea Okino handed Victory the lead on the hour mark but the Mariners' Faye Bryson responded 11 minutes later.
But Wienert's 91st-minute winner, where she beat two Mariners defenders then chipped former Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont, proved the difference at the 'Home of the Matildas' in Bundoora.
In Brisbane, Adelaide United's American import Mariah Lee lit up the clash in the 13th minute with a brilliant individual goal for the visitors.
The 27-year-old striker went on a weaving run down the right side and rounded Roar goalkeeper Jordin Silkowitz.
Lee still had plenty to do but composed herself and from an acute angle finessed the ball into the back of the net.
The Roar responded, with their own American connection to the fore.
In the 38th minute centre-back Leah Scarpelli curled a left-footer into the box for Mia Corbin to glide unmarked towards the far post and finish in style.
