Weekend Express
The quotes, stats and storylines to the Australian weekend in sport
FOOTBALL
A-League
The A-League resumes this weekend, and a number of teams continue their push for top six positions.
Melbourne City have a stranglehold on top spot with a seven point lead, and while they haven’t locked in the Premiers Plate yet, it would take a sudden drop in form and one of the chasing teams to get on a roll, to stop City going back-to-back.
Their away clash on Saturday with Canberra could be an interesting one. City duo Holly McNamara and Laura Hughes will have only recently returned from Matildas duty in the US, while Canberra is riding high on momentum having not yet tasted defeat in 2025. A win could see Canberra move into the top six.
A big Melbourne Derby awaits on Saturday evening as Western United hosts second placed Melbourne Victory, while it’s a big game in New Zealand as Wellington Phoenix host 3rd placed Adelaide. Phoenix are currently in 8th spot, and wins are essential for them to stay in the finals race.
RUGBY UNION
Super W
It’s a big year for Rugby Union, with a World Cup in the UK at the end of 2025.
There’s been a lot of player movement in the Super W off-season, with defending champions NSW Waratahs in particular losing some big names.
They’ll start their season at Allianz Stadium against Fijiana on Friday evening as part of the league’s Culture Round, which will celebrate the heritage and cultural backgrounds of the league’s players.
Wallaroo Emily Chancellor missed practically all of 2024 with an ACL injury, and she returns this week, while the Tahs are also banking on youth in their side, with teen prodigy Waiaraia Ellis selected at fullback, and 17 year old forward Ruby Anderson in the starting forward pack.
In the other game of the round, the revitalised Western Force take on the Brumbies in Perth. The Force have made some big moves in the off-season, recruiting former Wallaroos and Waratahs star Sera Naiqama to join a strong forward pack which includes Aussie captain Michaela Leonard, while former Melbourne Rebels scrum half returns to Australia after a stint in New Zealand to steer the side around.
Force have put together some good pre-season form, defeating the Reds, and being very competitive with the defending champion Waratahs.
ATHLETICS
Perth Track Classic
The Summer Series continues this weekend in Western Australia, and a number of Olympians and Paralympians will be in action.
The Women’s 200m is the highlight of the meet, with a quality field which includes Australian relay star Kristie Edwards, Mia Gross and Carla Bull. Gross and Edwards will also feature in the 100m along with Paris semi finalist Bree Rizzo.
It’s also a stacked field in the 200m Para lineup, with Paris teammates Mali Lovell, Rhiannon Clarke and Ella Pardy going head to head.
Also competing is 2 x Javelin World Champion Kelsey-Lee Barber, 400m Olympian Alanah Yukich and U20 Relay World Champion Bella Pasquali.
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
National League Round 1, Melbourne
Some of Australia’s best Wheelchair Rugby players are back in action this weekend in Caroline Springs, Melbourne for the opening round of the Australian National League.
Six teams will take part in the series, with two each from QLD, NSW and Victoria, and a number of Aussie Steelers will line up for the teams.
In terms of squads with high female/non-binary representation, Melbourne fans will enjoy seeing hometown Paris bronze medalist Shae Graham play for Box Hill alongside Robyn Lambird, who recently played for the Steelers in Japan’s Osaka Cup. They’ve also recruited gun New Zealand star Jacinta Richardson, who was a standout during last year’s tournament.
Bond University is another team with a distinct female flavour. Paris squad member Emilie Miller will be part of team, along with rising star Lil Prucha. Followers of HER WAY might recall her episode of HER WAY HER STORY which was released around the Paris Paralympics last year (you can still find it in the podcast section of this site).
It’s been a big change for Lil in the off-season, moving from her home of Perth to the Gold Coast to take her Wheelchair Rugby to another level. While she’s intent on improving as a player, she doesn’t want to lose what she loves about the game in the process. Heading into this season, Lil told HER WAY,
“This year is all about friends, focus and fun.”
ICE HOCKEY
A.W.I.H.L Finals
The Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League season reaches its conclusion this weekend, with a celebration of the league at Melbourne’s O’Brien Glasshouse.
Ahead of their inclusion in the league next season, the Melbourne Ducks will play their final exhibition games on both days across the weekend against Sydney Sirens, who missed a spot in the final four.
On Saturday the semi finals take place, where the two grand finalists will be decided. Minor premiers Adelaide Rush clash with Brisbane Lightning, followed by defending champions Melbourne Ice against Perth Inferno.
The winners of the semis will clash in the decider at 4pm AEDT Sunday.
CRICKET
WNCL, Brisbane
After a thrilling final day of the regular season, NSW have found their way into Sunday’s final against the best team all season, Queensland Fire.
Despite missing Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen on WPL duty, it’s still a very strong Queensland side which will host the final at Allan Border Field, with the likes of Georgia Redmayne, Laura Harris and Charli Knott in action.
For NSW, wicketkeeper and opening batter Tahlia Wilson comes into the clash having just been named WNCL Player of the Year after averaging 60.63 runs.
The last time the two sides clashed in the decider was 2019, when the NSW side featured Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey and Rene Farrell.
WATER POLO
Australian League, Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne
It’s Rounds 18 and 19 of the National League, and Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder continue to lead the way having not experienced defeat yet.
Thunder will host Western Australia’s UWA Torpedoes in a two game series this weekend, while UTS Balmain and Cronulla will both host a game in a home and away battle.