WANDERERS RATINGS

Abby Smith - 8.5

A very composed performance, coming out and spoiling Mary Fowler at every opportunity, bar the penalty. She made a series of excellent saves in the second half as well when Adelaide were heaping pressure.

Alix Roberts - 7.5

Fantastic effort pushing up that right flank, well deserved reward in the assist for Kristen Hamilton’s equaliser. She's definitely an asset going forward, although still slips focus occasionally at the other end.

Courtney Nevin - 7

She did well to outpace Fowler on occasion and reads the game very adequately, but was also off the pace on a few key plays.

Alexandra Huynh - 7

She has a lot of pressure for that starting centreback spot and seemed a tad shaky at times. She could have conceded a few free-kicks in key situations had the referee been paying a little more attention.

But she worked her way into the game and had a very effective second half.

Sam Staab - 7

Her passing is fantastic and she plays with poise and purpose. She's also very physical, coming from a tight NWSL campaign. However, she’s not necessarily the world-class defensive import the Wanderers require. That will still take some convincing.

Ella Mastrantonio - 7.5

Very impressive performance overall, but still made a few clumsy mistakes and was slow to react at key moments; more a sign of how the Wanderers still have a lot of tactical work to do, rather than her individual quality.

She makes key interceptions and, like Nevin, reads the game very well.

Vesna Milivojevic - 7.5

A superstar in the making, Milivojevic was at the heart of everything great the Wanderers created, playing a surprisingly crucial role in the midfield.

She was arguably the most involved player on the pitch tonight but withdrawn very early.

Kristen Hamilton - 8.5

We’ve been saying it since she signed, Hamilton is one of the finest strikers in W-League history. She effectively set up her own goal.

Amy Harrison - 7

Very involved, as you would expect from the Matildas star. Perhaps not a vintage performance all things considered – she sort of came and went as momentum drifted – but a decent spell nonetheless.  

Erica Halloway - 6

She’s quick, but she wasn’t heavily involved.

Cortnee Vine - 7

Ultimately a very involved, solid debut. She hit the post twice so we can’t judge too harshly, but she does seem a little awkward when shooting on goal.

That said, she does have the confidence to carry the ball forward, which is rarer than you may think.

SUBS

Kyra Cooney-Cross - 7

She’s a star in the making and had a near-instant impact, but couldn't maintain her place in the game until a very lucky, but well-aimed, free kick gave the Wanderers a win they arguably didn't deserve.

Susan Phonsongkham - 5.5

She's still very young and coming off a very strong season, but is potentially trying to do a little too much in taking on multiple players.

ADELAIDE RATINGS

Sarah Willacy - 8.5

She had a phenomenal last season and we were doubting whether she would replicate it again, but oh yes, she is going to replicate it again. Could well be a contender for golden glove.

Yes, she shipped two goals, but we can't really hold either of them against her. Even Cooney-Cross' she was outsighted.

Charlotte Grant - 7

She has a certain je ne sais quoi on the ball, but is perhaps slightly under-utilised. She’s also arguably over-physical and could have had two yellow cards by the 60th minute.

Laura Johns - 7

Outmatched her Western Sydney opposing defenders, seemed very well marshalled. She’s an Ivan Karlovic subject if we’ve ever seen one.

Julia Ashley - 7

She may be a very astute signing indeed. She looks very composed for her relatively little experience.

Amber Brooks - 8

Heavily involved, very confident and full of life. She will be very important for Adelaide this season, as her character and determination is absolutely crucial to this side.   

Dylan Holmes - 7

A very solid display, always aware of her opposing markers and eventually proving key in Adelaide's ability to restrict the Wanderers' midfield talent.

Isabel Hodgson - 7

Like Holmes, she flew under the radar but performed very strongly in that midfield battle.

Kahlia Hogg - 6.5

She can certainly strike the ball, but she should probably pass a little more.

Emily Condon - 6.5

Condon plays brilliant lofted through passes and she also turns intelligently, seeming generally safe in possession. Faltered a little and was possibly an unsurprising substitution.

Mallory Weber - 6

It’s possibly still to early to judge. As any NWSL import should, she has quality, but is held to a higher standard as a result.

She clearly is a high-tempo player who looks to break forward, but we’ll leave it by saying that the communication between her and Fowler still needs a lot of work.

Mary Fowler - 8

Have we already found the next Sam Kerr? It’s notable that her opposing forward is one of the USA’s best strikers, yet Fowler matched her every step of the way.

Yeah, we're over-exaggerating. She had her moments and was cool from the penalty spot but is still learning from this environment. She’s 16, y’know.

SUBS

Lais Araujo - 7.5

She covers a lot of ground and tracked back defensively at every opportunity to make key challenges.

Georgia Campagnale - 6.5

A very good option to have on the bench, but probably didn't have enough time to make an impact.

Ciara Fowler - N/A

85th minute sub