The scoreline was a repeat of Perth and Canberra’s last meeting in last season's fascinating clash in Bunbury, when Kerr scored a hat trick and Ash Sykes clawed the game back for Canberra with a brace.

This goal fest was the end-to-end game everyone predicted, and while Kerr was left scoreless for the first time at McKellar since 2011, she played an influential role in the second half comeback.

Within the first minute of the game Perth’s Rachel Hill had played a ball over to Kerr but last-minute replacement Taren King picked it off in the air to put it out of danger.

Nikki Stanton, sitting in front of Perth’s defence, dominated early. One of her passes forced Rachel Corsie to make a sliding tackle to deny a shot from Doeglas. The ensuing corner from Stanton was headed cleanly by Canberra’s O’Sullivan, in space, directly into her own net.

Within a minute of restarting, Canberra’s Laura Hughes had the ball and was felled just inside the 18-yard box. Refiloe Jane’s unconventional penalty had Eliza Campbell diving the wrong way and the scores were square.

After the flurry of goals, the game built in line with the tensions. A yellow was issued to Kim Carroll who pulled down Malaudzi on her way to goal. Soon after, Kerr was denied a scoring chance when a ball ran past Sham Khamis. She collided with Kerr, upending her. The referee waved off Perth’s appeals for a penalty.

While Glory enjoyed the majority of control through the midfield, with Nikki Stanton who was playing deep, up top, wide, and everywhere she was needed, it was Malaudzi who scrambled a goal to give United the lead.  

Malaudzi’s goal celebration was world class as she ran to space, feigned being struck, and fell flat on her back.

United built a useful buffer at halftime. Rojas struck the ball cleanly from outside the box, having received the ball from Roestbakken who had intercepted the ball on its way to the halfway line. Rojas took two touches and struck with power over a leaping Campbell.

Perth built patiently early in the second half, controlling a lot of ball out of the backline through the impressive Katie Naughton and Stanton, but Refiloe Jane for Canberra was floating in front of United’s backline and re-launching Canberra’s attack time and again.

In a game peppered with yellow cards, there was no room for error, and Sarah Carroll’s sliding tackle that took the ball but exposed her studs brought her a second yellow and marching orders to the sheds.

Minutes later, Canberra stretched their lead with another penalty to Jane after Flannery was sandwiched inside the box. This time Galaudzi and Jane celebrated with a synchronised back drop flop in front of the McKellar faithful.

Canberra were inches from putting the game well out of reach when substitute Ellie Carpenter sped up the right wing and put in an inch perfect cross to Colvill who just tapped it wide.

That was the relief Perth needed to turn their day around, with two quick fire goals to Mautz and McKenna, bringing the score back to 4-3.

In the 90th minute, Perth clawed all the way back when Kerr made a determined run down the left and her cross was accidentally deflected in at the near post by Rachel Corsie.

This was the one that got away for Canberra United, and another showing of Kerr’s ability to play her team into a result when needed.

Canberra coach Heather Garriock was understandably disappointed after the game.

“That’s two points down the drain to be honest but Sam Kerr ran the show in the last 15 minutes. It wasn’t good enough from us in the end.”

“There’s so many positives from our team. Two good penalties from Jane. There was great defending for the majority of the game,” Garriock said.

Captain Rachel Corsie added “The game plan went well for the first 80 minutes. We contained them well. To concede three goals in ten minutes is really disappointing.”

Garriock explained Carpenter’s role from the bench. “Ellie’s 18 years old – she’s mentally drained having spent the season in Portland and backing up for the Matildas and the W-League. Her well-being is more important than her starting today for Canberra. We felt confident in the team we put on the park today.”

Perth coach Bobby Despotovski’s mood was bright after the match.

“Last year’s game was the other way around. Last year it was Canberra who came back to draw the match,” he said excitedly.

“In the first half, we played well from the back but struggled to get chances up front. We shouldn’t be in those positions to concede those penalties. Everything Canberra created was from our mistakes so we need to get those out of our game if we’re going to progress.”

“Sam is a good player, but we have to deliver the proper balls forward for her to perform. The young players came into the game in the last 15 minutes with the ability to bring Sam into the game.”

The local crowd of 1,742 filed out, mainly feeling the hurt of a game that slipped quickly away, but taking home memories of yet another epic dual between these two iconic sides and autographs of marquee player Sam Kerr who was again the last player on the ground, posing for selfies and signing autographs.  

The W-League takes a spell next weekend for its first recognised international break when players return to their national teams. When they resume, Canberra United play Newcastle Jets away at the No. 2 Sportsground, and Perth Glory will host their first home game against Western Sydney Wanderers at Dorrien Gardens.