Photo: Emily Mogic Photography 

Season 6 premiers, and ladder leaders, Canberra United host Season 6 champions Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park in the ABC TV Match of the Week.

Canberra head into this match with two early victories, both on the road, against Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United. Last week’s win over Adelaide was another tough battle in South Australia and Canberra will feel relieved to return home with full points.

This will be new goal keeper Chantal Jones’ first match for Canberra United in the capital, where she is bound to be a crowd favourite with her striking kickouts and dynamic movement on and off the goal line.

Michelle Heyman opened her account early this season with two goals in round one, and followed up with an assist last week as she laid the ball back for Steph Ochs to finish for Canberra’s lone goal. Lori Lindsey overcame a foot injury in the first match to excel in midfield last week, and Ash Sykes has delivered the form that saw her back in the Matildas’ squad for the Asian Cup in May this year.

Melbourne Victory delivered a goal fest last week with five against a determined Western Sydney Wanderers side who clawed back three goals. Round one was a different affair, with Newcastle Jets recording their first win against Melbourne and forcing pundits to ask where Melbourne’s goals would come from.

They only had to wait a week to see Melbourne turn it on, Christine Nairn providing five assists to help her side into mid table, and setting up an appetising match up with Canberra this week.

Victory fans will be excited to see the arrival of Seattle Reign’s Lauren Barnes and Elli Reed, while Canberra will be hoping they are slow to find their game legs in Reed’s first foray in the WLeague. Barnes joined Victory late in the 2014 season and scored a pivotal half volley in Victory’s championship win over Brisbane Roar.

All eyes will be on Lisa De Vanna and her unpredictable runs in behind, between and among the backline. The Canberra forward line will provide Victory with a similar headache and both midfields will be looking to spring their speedsters, keeping the assistant referees on high alert for offsides.

These teams met only once in 2013, with the eventual champions, Melbourne the victor. The match wasn’t without controversy. One Melbourne goal appeared to stem from a clear offside as a cheeky De Vanna hovered deep in attack.

From the ensuing kickoff, Canberra’s Kendall Fletcher leapt high from within a pack of defenders but was deemed offside and her goal disallowed. It’s a long offseason, so the pain of that defeat will have faded for United, but their appetite to win in their first home match of the season will be palpable.

These teams are even on the head-to-head count with five wins each and two draws. As one of the most anticipated matchups each season, a gripping encounter is assured.

Canberra United v Melbourne Victory

Sunday 28 September 2014

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Casey Reibelt

** 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.

Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS

Ins: Sally Rojahn (promoted)

Outs: none

Unavailable: Kendall FLETCHER (overseas), Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee – 2-3 weeks), Grace MAHER (Australia U-17 national team duty)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER, 5. Lauren BARNES, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 14. Tiffany ELIADIS, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Beattie GOAD, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Elli REED, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK)

Ins: Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign/USA), Elli Reed (Seattle Reign/USA)

Outs: Maika Ruyter-Hooley (omitted)

Unavailable: None