Heavyweights Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC do battle at QSAC in Round 2 of the W-League.

The Sky Blues, under the guidance of Alen Stajcic, began their Season 7 campaign with a well earned 2-0 victory over a stubborn Adelaide United.

Holding their own against an ever-improving Lady Reds, Sydney FC maintained composure and displayed how well an experienced side can handle pressure. 

Both Matildas' goalkeepers, Casey Dumont and Melissa Barbieri (Adelaide Utd), were kept busy between the posts stopping a spray of shots, but it was a brace from dynamic US newcomer, Jasmyne Spencer that secured a 2-0 win. 

In contrast, Brisbane Roar struggled to contain an explosive Perth Glory, who secured a 2-1 upset win on home soil for their delighted supporters. 

Perth's homegrown talent of Sam Kerr and Kate Gill proved too much firepower for the usually stoic Roar back line. 

In Brooke Spence's absence due to a hamstring injury, Brisbane head coach Belinda Wilson opted for a young gun with the debut of Young Matilda, Brooke Goodrich.  Goodrich had big shoes to fill thereby marking up a deadly pacey duo of Gill and Kerr and, from reports, Goodrich put in a solid and commendable effort. 

Katrina Gorry as usual pulled the string for Brisbane earning her a spot in TWG's Team of the Week while striker Emily Gielnik bought some redemption back for the Roar with a goal in the dying minutes of the match.

With the number of Matildas in both sides, as always, this will be a match of attack and counter-attack. The key players in this typically fiery battle will lie all over the park and the side that slows in intensity will be punished.

Playmakers Nicola Bolger and Katrina Gorry ignite the attacks for both sides and former team mates, 'keepers Dumont and Kate Stewart can prepare themselves for an afternoon of attacks as there is no shortage of firepower up front.

Brisbane Roar with Tameka Butt, Hayley Raso and Gielnik to the table while Sydney FC have Spencer, Chloe Logarzo and Amy Harrison.

These two sides also possess two of the most attacking defences in the lead with Brisbane's counter-attacks and crossed balls coming from Vedrana Popovic, Elise Kellond-Knight and Kim Carroll, who has been playing more as an attacking centre back in the NPL competition.  

From the Sky Blue side Renee Rollason, Servet Uzunlar and Teigen Allen have the ability to slice up opposition with great effect.  The ability of the two leaders Clare Polkinghorne and Teresa Polias to shield their defences and break up opposition attacks could go a long way determining this match.

The last time these two sides met Sydney FC handed Brisbane Roar their heaviest defeat in W-League history with a resounding and punishing 4-0 win.  On that day, Sydney FC's dominance in attack was at an all time high, and the Roar struggled to find any answers to the Sky Blues' relentless forward play.

The defeat was a catalyst for Brisbane to regroup and step up their charge towards another grand final appearance in Season 6.

Both teams have held a victorious stronghold over the W-League past; a dominance in player talent and experience. 

Although other clubs have broken the duopoly,  when Sydney FC comes out to play Brisbane Roar, it is a state of origin like match where club and state pride leads to reasonable expectations of a big match. 

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC

Sunday 21 September 2014

Queensland Sport & Athletics Centre, Brisbane

Local kick-off: 3pm

** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm nationally on ABC1. Or from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Tuesday. (*No live broadcast in WA or Vic this weekend due to ABC’s pre-existing commitments.)

Brisbane Roar squad: 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6. Hayley RASO, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 15. Brooke GOODRICH, 16. Angela BEARD, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk), 21. Teagan MICAH (gk)

Ins: Ayesha Norrie (promoted)

Outs: none

Unavailable: Nadine Angerer (Germany national team duty – one week), Amy Chapman (knee – one week), Brooke Spence (hamstring – one week)

Sydney FC squad: 1. Casey Dumont (gk), 3. Elizabeth Ralston, 14. Olivia Price, 18. Heidi Makrillos, 4. Alesha Clifford, 10. Renee Rollason, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 16. Samantha Johnson, 15. Teigen Allen, 2. Teresa Polias, 11. Natalie Tobin, 7. Nicola Bolger, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 8. Amy Harrison, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)

Ins: Alesha Clifford (returns from injury)

Outs: none

Unavailable:  Kyah Simon (knee – five weeks), Ellyse Perry (knee – one week), Trudy Camilleri (quad – one week)