THEY SAID IT: "I'd prefer to prepare to play at nine in the morning if we could. Having to stop a game every 15 minutes just to give them hydration so they don't collapse probably suggests it might be too hot to be playing professional sport" - Brisbane coach Garrath McPherson voices his concerns about the oppressive heat after the 1-1 draw with Canberra. The temperature reached 35 degrees Celsius on the pitch, and star Roar winger Shea Connors had to be taken off late with heat exhaustion.
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HOW GOOD: Western United have made the perfect start to life in the ALW by following up their 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory with a 4-1 demolition of Wellington. It's a dream start for the league's newest women's team.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK: Sarah Griffith scored a classy hat-trick to lead the Newcastle Jets to a 4-2 win over Western Sydney. The American forward struck once with each foot in the first half and added a third with her head after the break.
TALKING POINT: Are the Wellington Phoenix headed for another season of doom and gloom? Last season's wooden spooners opened their campaign with a 4-1 loss to Melbourne City, and followed it up with a 4-1 defeat to Western United.
WORLD CUP WATCH: Forgotten Matildas midfielder Amy Harrison scored off the bench on her return for Western Sydney after two years at Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven. For the second week running Sydney FC speedster Cortnee Vine regularly burst past the last defender but lacked the composure and final touch to beat the keeper in an otherwise impressive display in front of Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson. Brisbane's Larissa Crummer scored her second goal in as many weeks to continue her strong start to the season.
WHAT'S NEXT: Melbourne City host Brisbane Roar on Saturday, while Sydney will be aiming to make it two wins on the trot when they face Western Sydney in a derby. Western United have the chance to make it three from three when they travel to take on Adelaide United on Sunday. The Jets take on the Glory, while Victory will start as hot favourites against the struggling Phoenix.
Australian Associated Press
