Credit: Getty Images BrisbnaCredit: Getty Imagesa

Round 8 sees a red hot Brisbane Roar meet a Perth Glory side looking for redemption.

A bagful of six goals were claimed by the Brisbane Roar squad against Newcastle at Wanderers Oval.

Utterly dominant from the first whistle, the home side were fortunate that all offensive chances weren't fully utilised by Brisbane, potentially blowing the scoreline out into double figures.

Given plenty of space and time, the usual suspects of Katrina Gorry, Elise Kellond-Knight and Tameka Butt were firing as was Emily Gielnik, who came in for Amy Chapman, in only her second match back for the defending premiers.

Coach Belinda Wilson would have been impressed by her striker's two 'textbook' goals scored in her allocated 46 minutes of game time.

The Brisbane side dedicated the win to their long-serving teammate  Chapman, who re-tore her ACL recently. 

They wore their support on wristbands with Chapman's name written across it and didn't disappoint with their intentions of a solid tribute.

Perth Glory suffered a similar fate as the Jets, sinking to an 8-2 defeat to a polished  Sydney FC.  Sydney had the bulk of possession and executed well with Caitlin Foord netting a hat-trick for her Sky Blues.

Perth's performance provided plenty of homework as well as some bright spots for Jamie Harnwell.  

In her return match captain Kate Gill worked  tirelessly to lift her side and always looked to create chances. Ella Mastrantonio, another workhorse and impressive midfielder, used her body well to battle for possession and redistribute while Rosie Sutton consistently found a way in behind defensive lines.

Perth will need to draw from these industrious performers as they re-group and be much more disciplined and compact in defence.  They will also require a much more rounded team performance and look to stalwarts like Marianna Tabain and Elisa D'Vidio for support.

Perth will again look to play on the counter requiring them to release the ball a lot quicker. As demonstrated against Sydney, Perth can create damaging counter attacks when opposition's wing backs have pushed too high thus leaving the flanks exposed. 

If Christina Julien, Gill and Sutton can better link with Mastrantonio's balls in behind, Perth will have quite a strike force to contend with.

There is no rest for the Perth defence with goalkeeper Chantel Jones again to be tested by the likes of Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik making those assaults on goal.

Jones will have to take a more dominant charge of her back line and ensure that the Perth side isn't left ball-watching against a fast interchanging Roar midfield.

It will be a similar form of fast paced and highly technical passing by the Roar, as Sydney supremely showed to Perth, so this week will show if lessons learnt by Glory.

This will be the second time this season Brisbane and Perth have met.  Round 2 saw Brisbane travel away to Perth  and return with three points thanks to a 3-0 win.

As the competition heads into its second half of the season, all teams will be making a strong play for a Top 4 finish.

Head to Head: Played 7, Brisbane 5, Perth 1, Draw 1

Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory

Sunday 12 January 2014

AJ Kelly Fields, Brisbane

Local kick-off: 3pm (4pm AEDT)

Brisbane Roar squad: 20. Kate STEWART (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, Hayley RASO, 21. Teagan MICAH (gk)

Ins: Teagan Micah (replacement player)

Outs: Nadine Angerer (FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards)

Unavailable: Amy Chapman (knee - season)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Chantel JONES (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Cecilie SANDVEJ, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 15. Jess DILLON, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Amy KNIGHTS, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 21. Christina JULIEN, Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Cecilie Sandvej (returns from suspension)

Unavailable: Aivi Luik (hamstring – indefinite), Kat Jukic (hip – season), Collette McCallum (knee – season), Sasha Andrews (ankle – one week), Kathleen Waycott (hip – one week)