Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to secure their first three points of the Ninja A-League season when they face Brisbane Roar at CommBank Stadium this Saturday afternoon, as part of a blockbuster A-Leagues double header.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE DOUBLE HEADER HERE
The Red & Black return to home soil for their second fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, with Geoff Abrahams’ side determined to build on the positives from their opening performance against Melbourne Victory.
Saturday’s encounter will see the Wanderers Women take centre stage at CommBank Stadium for the first time this season, kicking off at 2:15pm before the Wanderers Men face Auckland FC at 5:00pm.
With both sides searching for their first victory of the new campaign, the stage is set for an entertaining contest as the Wanderers look to make the most of their home advantage.
Building on a promising start
Despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Melbourne Victory at Wanderers Football Park last weekend, there were encouraging signs from a refreshed Wanderers outfit featuring a host of new faces.
The Red & Black enjoyed the greater share of possession against one of the competition’s established sides, showing resilience defensively and growing in confidence as the match progressed.
A first-half free kick from Alana Jančevski ultimately separated the two teams, but the Wanderers continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, particularly throughout an improved second-half performance.
Young attacker Talia Younis was among those to impress, using her pace and attacking intent to trouble Victory’s defensive line before forcing goalkeeper Courtney Newbon into an important save after the break.
Substitute Allyssa Ng-Saad also provided a spark off the bench, combining effectively with Elexa Bahr as the Wanderers created opportunities in the final third.
For Abrahams and his coaching staff, the focus now turns to converting those promising passages of play into clear-cut opportunities and finding the attacking combinations that can make the difference.
With a number of new arrivals still settling into the squad, Saturday presents another valuable opportunity for the playing group to continue developing their understanding and establishing their identity.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE DOUBLE HEADER HERE
Brisbane searching for a response
The visitors will arrive in Western Sydney equally determined to open their account after falling to a 4-2 defeat against Central Coast Mariners in their season opener.
Despite the result, Brisbane demonstrated their attacking capabilities, with Daisy Brown and Katrina Guillou both finding the back of the net in an entertaining encounter.
Brown brought the Roar level midway through the first half following a delivery from Murphy Agnew, while Guillou made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring just six minutes after her introduction.
Brisbane continued to create opportunities in the closing stages, highlighting the attacking threat the Wanderers will need to contain on Saturday afternoon.
However, having conceded four goals against the Mariners, the visitors will also be looking to tighten up defensively as they prepare for their first away fixture of the campaign.
For the Wanderers, maintaining the defensive discipline displayed against Victory while showing greater conviction in front of goal will be key to securing a positive result.
A big occasion at Wanderland
Saturday’s fixture forms part of a significant occasion for the Club, with both the Ninja A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League teams featuring at CommBank Stadium in the first home double header of the season.
For the Wanderers Women, it presents an opportunity to play in front of the Red & Black faithful on one of the Club’s biggest matchdays of the opening month.
With captain Rhianna Pollicina leading a new-look squad that includes the likes of Tiana Jaber, Laura Pickett and Sofia Sakalis, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the next chapter for Abrahams’ side.
The emergence of young talents such as Younis, alongside the experience brought into the squad during the off-season, has created an exciting blend of youth and experience as the Wanderers look to establish themselves in the new campaign.
While the opening result may not have gone their way, the opportunity to respond in front of their home supporters provides added motivation.
With two A-Leagues fixtures, one ticket and a full afternoon of football awaiting Western Sydney, the Red & Black will be determined to give their supporters plenty to celebrate.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Ninja A-League Women | Matchweek 2
Saturday 24 October 2026
Kick-off: 2:15pm AEDT
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
One ticket provides access to both matches, with the Wanderers Men taking on Auckland FC at 5:00pm.
