Reborn Mariners shock Roar on opening day of ALW

Central Coast have rebounded from pre-season doubts over their future in the A-League Women to show they will be a side to watch, scoring an exhilarating 4-2 opening-round away win over 2025/26 semi-finalists Brisbane.

The Mariners' women's team wasn't initially wanted by the new owners, majority shareholders of English club Queens Park Rangers, but were thrown a lifeline when the Holman Barnes Group, the majority shareholders of NRL club Wests Tigers, took over running their program.

A new-look side never trailed against the Roar, racking up 19 shots to nine and having twice as many shots on target.

The other two opening-day games finished in 1-0 away wins for Melbourne Victory over Western Sydney and Perth against Newcastle, with set pieces deciding both encounters.

American Rola Badawiya scored the first goal of the season, with her 13th-minute penalty securing the Glory all three points at Hunter City Motor Group Stadium.

A 32nd-minute Alana Jancevski free kick gave the Victory the win at Wanderers Football Park.

The goals flowed more freely at Gioca Stadium, where the outstanding Peta Trimis put Central Coast ahead in the seventh minute.

The Mariners couldn't capitalise on their early dominance, with Daisy Brown equalising with a header from a 26th-minute corner.

Talia Kapetanellis blasted an unstoppable shot past Matildas goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln from a tight angle just before halftime and Central Coast doubled their lead just before the hour, with Skye Halmarick netting from close range after a flowing length-of-the-field move.

Just seconds after Trimis hit the outside of a post, debutante Morgan Witz rounded off another fine move with the American firing home from just inside the area.

Brisbane pulled one back almost immediately with a super strike from substitute and Philippines international midfielder, Katrina Guillou.

"We did well in the second half just to match their energy, we knew they were going to come out hard," Halmarick told Paramount+ and Network Ten.

At Wanderers Football Park, Jancevski settled the game by firing over the wall and past Western Sydney goalkeeper Sarah Langman.

"I was actually going to hit it to the other side and then I saw a little gap In that top left corner," Jancevski said.