Credit: Emily Mogic / emilymogic.com Credit: Emily Mogic / emilymogic.com

The finals bound Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory jockey for position as they face off in their final match of the regular season.

Both sides dropped points last start with Brisbane Roar conceding late to draw 1-1 with Adelaide United while Melbourne Victory couldn't overturn a half time deficit going down 1-0 to Perth Glory.

Hosts Adelaide United held on to a steadfast draw against Brisbane Roar who travelled down to the sweltering conditions, but only managed a point to take home.

The consequences were that in the Roar losing the chance to host a semi final in their home city.

The Roar had a score to settle after suffering a shock loss earlier in the season from Adelaide but the Lady Reds, surging with confidence and a far better season's performance under Coach Ross Aloisi, were not going to give in easily.

In fact, it took until the 64th minute, before Brisbane's Emily Gielnik was able to slot a goal past experienced goalkeeper, Melissa Barbieri.

Instead of burying Adelaide and increasing their lead, the Roar sat a little too comfortably offensively and seemingly allowed a surprise conversion of a counter attack by Adelaide's Emily Condon.

The scores were tied 1-1 at the Full time whistle, and despite a more rounded performance by Brisbane and the majority of clear possession, still only managed a draw.

Perth Glory caused one of the biggest upsets of the 2013/14 Season, after stealing the three points verse a usually consistent and high scoring Melbourne Victory.

It was the 22nd minute when Matildas co-captain, Kate Gill, scored the lone goal for the match, and left the Victory's home crowd quiet and stunned.

Melbourne had their fair share of scoring opportunities, but just could not equalise, allowing the Glory to take the win 1-0.

Melbourne's usual fluidity of their midfield and dynamic striking ability, was cleverly shut down by Glory's double-teaming on key players.

The tenacity and the spirited performance of Perth's defence had the Victory searching for ways to rebuild their cohesion.

Jess Fishlock and Lisa DeVanna often found themselves marked out of the game, but were still able to have a few good chances on goal.

Perth's assertive goalkeeper, Chantal Jones had a fantastic day at the office and was always ready and positioned.

Glory's movement towards their goal was fewer than Melbourne's, and this had led to Melbourne's defensive line suffering an sort of apathetic attitude.

This is mainly due to the fact that when a team's strike force is so usually dominant, the defense tends to lose its intensity of cover and can sometimes be caught with fewer numbers dropping, during rare counter attacks by the opposition.  A complacent attitude that doesn't usually become the Melbourne defense.

Brianna Davey will have to command her troops this weekend, verse a full assault of pacy strikers from the Roar.

Steph Catley's captaincy will need to show a maturity in ensuring that her Victory charges are firing on all cylinders for the full 90 minutes.

Jess Fishlock's performance is always of a high calibre and her midfield tussle with Katrina Gorry will be one to watch. Roar's experienced backline will most certainly have their speed skates on to anticipate De Vanna's sprints towards goal, but Brisbane's midfield must also challenge for possession and break down the service of through balls to the lightning fast Matilda.

Brisbane needs to score early and keep the momentum flowing.  Melbourne need to keep possession and maintain a quick tempo.

The last match up between the Roar and Victory, was back in Round 6 of last season's W-League.  Both teams were without many of their Matilda's star performers, away in Asia on national duties.

It was an intensley close match and a plethora of goals were scored as both sides tussled for a win.  Amy Chapman had bagged a brace, whilst Melbourne's Laura Spiranovic replied with a 72nd minute effort.

But it was the Victory's Jess McDonald and the Roar's Ashley Spina's stunning late goal's a piece in the dying seconds of injury time, that had the Brisbane crowd on their feet.

The Roar had just managed to snatch a last minute nail-biting win 3-2.  Given the quality of these two experienced W-League sides, it is expected that this weekend's battle will be no less a challenge.

Both teams have already secured themselves a semi final's berth but for the experience of finals build up and pride on the line, there's still everything to play for.

Head to Head: Played 10, Brisbane 7, Draw 3

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory

Sunday 9 February 2014

QSAC (Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre), Brisbane

Local kick-off: 2pm (3pm AEDT)

** Catch the action at 6pm nationally on ABC1. Or catch up from Monday on ABC iView with a replay at 3.30am on Thursday (*live in AEDT states)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 16. Hayley RASO, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Natasha Wheeler (promoted) 

Unavailable: Amy Chapman (knee - season)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 6. Cindy Lay 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 15. Emma Checker 16. Beattie Goad 17. Gulcan Koca 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) 21. Ella Mastrantonio 22. Lauren Brown 25. Maika Ruyter-Hooley

Ins: Emma Checker (returns from injury), Cindy Lay, Ella Mastrantonio, Maika Ruyter-Hooley (all promoted)

Outs: Katie Hoyle (New Zealand national team commitments), Enza Barilla (personal commitments), Tiffany Eliadis, Alex Natoli (both omitted)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season)