Weekend Express
The quotes, stats and storylines to the sport around Australia this long weekend.
FOOTBALL
A-League Elimination Finals
After 23 rounds of home and away action featuring thrilling goals, late drama, games rescheduled due to extreme heat and even an ex-Tropical Cyclone, we’ve reached the finals of the A-League. It’s a unique series, with Sydney FC not part of it for the first time in league history.
While Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory sit back this week as the top two qualifiers, two elimination finals will be played to see who meets them in week two.
After finishing bottom of the table in 2023-24, including massive 8-0 loss in their final game last season, Adelaide’s turnaround has been remarkable. They’ve recruited well, particularly through import striker Erin Healy, while a fit and firing Emily Condon, Dylan Holmes and Fiona Worts have made the Reds dangerous in front of goal. They’ll host sixth placed Western United.
Western have had a funny old season, flying under the radar for much of it while doing enough to sit fourth until last weekend. However wins to both the Mariners and Canberra, plus Western’s inability to get the three points against Wellington sees them in the final playoffs spot and a tough road trip - they’ve won just three away games this season.
After their respective stirring wins last weekend, Canberra travel up the freeway to Gosford to play the Mariners in the first of Sunday’s elimination finals. Central Coast made the semis last season in their return to the league, and will be looking to more than just make up numbers this season. They’re peaking at the right time, with PFA Player of the Month Izzy Gomez in scintillating form. The return of experienced skipper Taren King is also a plus for the Central Coast side - she missed last season’s finals with an ACL.
Mariners coach Em Husband recently told HER WAY that her side will be better for the experience of last season, and have used their last few weeks as a dress rehearsal:
“We’ve been building up to this even in the back half of the season.”
They’ll play a Canberra side who finished 11th last season and saw a host of their best players depart given the uncertainty of the club. But this new team has played with defensive intensity and grit, and with the league’s all time leader in games Michelle Heyman on deck, this team is not lacking in optimism and grit.
While premiers Melbourne City won’t be playing, members can redeem a free ticket to see the side presented with the Premiers Plate during halftime of the men’s game this weekend.
When: Sunday
Where: Gosford, Adelaide
NETBALL
Super Netball, Round 3
The split round, which no one is quite able to explain, finishes this weekend with two games.
First up it’s a Queensland Derby on the Sunshine Coast, when the Lightning host the undefeated Firebirds on Saturday. The battle in the shooters circle between Firebirds mountain-esque goaler Mary Cholhok and Diamonds star defender Courtney Bruce will be worth watching, while at the other end, new Firebirds co-captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran will be hoping to remind national selectors of her prowess up against Australian goal shooter Cara Koenen, who is set to play game 100.
Then on Sunday it’s a battle of two regular finalists from the last few seasons - Vixens and Fever - who have just one win between them so far in 2025.
There are some potential great one-on-one duels here ; Moloney v Anstiss, Aryang v Austin, Williams v Mundy, Garbin v Dehaney.
West Coast are still searching for their first win, and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back from the bad news of Ruth Aryang’s season-ending Achilles injury during the week.
When: Saturday, Sunday
Where: Sunshine Coast, Melbourne
SURFING
RipCurl Pro Bells Beach
It’s finals time at Bells Beach after a few days of fluctuating surf conditions.
On Thursday, Aussie veteran Sally Fitzgibbons caused probably the upset of the event when she eliminated World Champion Caity Simmers to progress to the Round of 16.
Fitzgibbons is one of three Aussies in the final eight, along with 2032-23 Bells champion Tyler Wright, and Isabella Nicholls, who is in excellent form after finishing runner up at the El Salvador championship event recently.
When: Friday til conclusion
Where: Bells Beach, Victoria
HOCKEY
Practice Match Series
The Australians haven’t played for a couple of months, so this week the team will look to strengthen their combinations and welcome back some players returning from injury when they play some Practice Matches against India in Perth.
Entry to these games is free, so get along and see rising stars and those looking to return to the national team in action. The Hockeyroos will play as part of the series next week.
When: Saturday - Sunday
Where: Perth Hockey Stadium
BASKETBALL
NBL1
There are plenty of games across the long weekend, including some ANZAC Day games on Friday afternoon/evening.
In the South conference, around a third of the Geelong United WNBL side will be in action when Launceston welcomes Geelong to town.
Launceston features Opal Keely Froling, while three of her WNBL teammates from last season are on the Geelong Cats list - Jaz Shelley, Gemma Potter and Hannah Hank.
Saturday is a huge evening in the West, with five games on. There is talent across the board, with the Rockingham duo of recently chosen Opal Alex Sharp and the reliable Alex Ciabattoni one to watch out for.
One of the Kayo streamed games this week is in the Central conference, when dual code legend Erin Phillips and her Woodville Warriors play Adelaide rivals Norwood.
And in the East conference, there will be a big WNBL Sydney Flames flavour when the Comets host Norths Bears. Flames player Piper Anderson has started well for Sydney, as have her teammates-turned-rivals Carla Pitman and Caitlin Martin for Norths, who are coached by Flames Assistant Renae Garlepp.