This weekend’s match on Fox Sports and ABC TV promises much for nationwide viewers with surprise packets Adelaide United set to welcome Newcastle Jets to the City of Churches.
Adelaide United’s side might be short on headline names and fanfare, yet they sit in second a third of the way through the season. Their performances and results are almost a metaphor for the Westfield W-League this season, where – with one notable exception – the competition has been more even than ever before.
The Lady Reds stunned two-time champions Brisbane Roar 2-1 a few weeks back on their home turf, and then reprised that away victory over 2015 queens Melbourne Victory with an even better scoreline, 4-0.
Last weekend they lost 2-0 at runaway leaders Melbourne City, but it is the closest that the league’s newest team have been pushed when having their full complement of players available.
Clearly new coach Jamie Harnwell has brought some of that magic dust with him from Perth Glory, where he took a strong squad to the premiership last term.
Newcastle Jets, in many ways, mirror their rivals. They have traditionally found themselves down the lower reaches of the ladder, but this season they are proving highly competitive.
Like Adelaide they are light on star power, yet have lost just one of their four games. Even then it took an injury-time goal to shoot down the Jets.
A well-matched and high-quality contest is the fare on offer for armchair fans across the nation, with Coopers Stadium and its lush playing surface offering the perfect stage as the pair make their TV debut for the season.
Watch all the action Live from 2.00pm nationally on Fox Sports (Channel 505), or ABC TV. Or catch-up on ABC iView.
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 22 November 2015
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 1.30pm
(Hyundai A-League double-header)
