Talia Kapetanellis is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with after leading Central Coast to a third-straight ALW win, hours after Sydney FC found their first.
Central Coast’s Talia Kapetanellis has only needed 10 minutes to become a nightmare for Adelaide United on Halloween and extend her golden-boot lead.
She followed up her an early tap in with a clinical header in the 53rd minute to steer the Mariners to a 2-0 win over the Reds.
CLICK HERE to visit the Ninja A-League ticket hub
Saturday’s performance took Kapetanellis’ goal-leading tally to five in three appearances wearing the yellow shirt.
“Football is my life and that is never going to change,” Kapetanellis said post-game, before discussing the Mariners’ potential to win the title this year.
“I’m not jumping ahead, but if we keep performing, keep doing what we’re doing, then there could be a chance.
“We’re just going to take it game by game”.
Become a member TODAY!
Her explosive start was not mirrored by Sydney FC in Brisbane, who took 19 shots before finding the net for a 1-0 win.
The Sky Blues dominated the first half, enjoying nearly 75 per cent possession and going close to the opening goal four times.
But Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln stopped each one and it was scoreless at the break.
“Goals change games and we spoke about it at halftime,” Sydney coach James Slaveski said.
“It hadn’t come yet, but we knew there was going to be a moment when it did, if we kept doing what we were doing in the first half.”
Ultimate Guide to the 2026/27 Ninja A-League season: Fixtures, signings, kits & more
It came through Faith Webber in the 66th minute and secured Sydney’s first win of the season.
“Really pleased for Faith. It’s a great finish,” Slaveski said of the American, who signed in August.
“Her quality is exceptional, to be honest. I think she’s got a very high ceiling and we’ve got a really good one there.”
Brisbane remain winless and bottom of the ladder, while the Mariners sit at the opposite end with four straight wins, thanks to sharpshooter Kapetanellis.
The 21-year-old is in a far better place than where she was 15 months ago, when cut from Western Sydney at the end of the 2024-25 season after few appearances.
“There was a period of time where I honestly was considering just quitting football,” she told AAP earlier in the week.
“But I also knew that it was probably crazy for me to think that after just one bad experience in the A-League.
“I want to see how far I can take football. I don’t want to put a limit on what I can achieve.”
MORE from the Ninja A-League right here!
