What a difference a year makes.
Twelve months ago Melbourne City were the team of all-conquering talents in the W-League.
They won every game they played, outclassed their opposition and swept to a W-League title with consummate ease in their first season.
They had globally recognised talents like Scottish midfielder Kim Little, her international teammate Jen Beattie at centre half, and Australian stars Beattie Goad and Lisa De Vanna in their starting line-up. The quartet gave them creativity, invention, solidity and pace.
Players look on after sprinklers were turned on during the W-League match between Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar in Fawkner.Credit:Getty Images
But those stars are no longer at the club. Goad is playing and studying in the US, Little is playing in England as is Beattie, while De Vanna is with Canberra. Their presence is sorely missed.
The upshot for City is that they are now battling not just to defend their title, but to even make the finals.
After seeing off the challenge of Brisbane Roar on Sunday afternoon, they are clinging to the fourth spot on the nine-team ladder, five points behind Sydney and three behind Canberra, both of whom, like City, have a game remaining. Perth, who were due to finish their game against Adelaide late on Sunday night, could be even further ahead by Monday morning.
The scenario for City is straightforward: they have to avoid defeat when they take on Newcastle – the team immediately below them on the ladder – to sneak into fourth place on the table and qualify for the finals. If they win they could finish higher, depending on the other results. But that is an unlikely scenario.
Rebekah Stott of Melbourne City celebrates a goal against Brisbane Roar.Credit:Getty Images
Should they lose to the Jets, then it would be Newcastle who take the final spot in the play-offs.
City at least put themselves in the driving seat in this struggle by beating Brisbane 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner.
The hosts began brightly and monopolised possession in the first half but only had a solitary goal to show for their efforts, courtesy of Marianna Tabain's shot from just inside the penalty area in the 18th minute.
City could not really relax until the hour mark, when defender Rebekah Stott came forward to smash home a rare goal – her first for five years – to double the advantage. Brisbane pulled one back shortly after when Katrina Gorry scored, but Stott struck again in stoppage time to make it 3-1.
Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.