It was a storybook night for Roar’s returning Commbank Matildas, as Sharn Freier’s equaliser and Tameka Yallop’s match-winning header sealed a high-voltage 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory in the Ninja A-League 25-26 season opener.
Freier returned to the Roar after a tough start to 2025. In January, she signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with German powerhouse VfL Wolfsburg, only to suffer an ankle injury five days later that sidelined her for months. Now, she’s back at the Roar on loan this season, ready to hit her stride.
Spencer Park, the Roar’s new home ground, held special significance for Freier, as it was where she played for her previous NPL club, Brisbane City FC.
“There are a few pictures in the sheds here from the [Brisbane] City wins,” she reflected.
“But being back in Roar colours is where I’m comfortable, and it makes me feel even more special.”
“I was a bit nervous to come back and play my first game. But I think once I got here and saw the crowd, familiar faces, family and everything like that, I got excited and was super keen to start the game,” she said.
Queensland welcomed Freier home in true tropical style, with severe thunderstorms delaying kick-off by 20 minutes. Play held for most of the match but was halted again in the final minute before later resuming to complete stoppage time.
“A delayed start, the game coming to a halt, and then having to warm up again wasn’t ideal. But the way the girls stuck in and kept fighting until the end shows character, and we did really well to get the win,” Freier said. Throughout the match, Freier combined with Roar forwards Ashlyn Miller and Grace Kuilamu to create numerous chances.
In the 64th minute, after a slicing cross from Bente Jansen deflected off Melbourne’s goalkeeper Courtney Newbon, Freier fired the ball into the net to level the score at 2-2. Freier’s Commbank Matildas teammate Tameka Yallop also made a memorable return, coming back after a serious hamstring injury. Yallop came off the bench in the 79th minute and, just seven minutes later, leapt to meet Dutch signing Bente Jansen’s perfectly arced cross, and nodded it home to clinch the 3-2 victory.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ROAR FAMILY WITH A CLUB MEMBERSHIP
“I think Meeks [Tameka] coming back after injury after being out for a while, and getting the winning goal is special for her,” Freier said.
“She’s someone who leads by example in this team and we all look up to her. For her to come on and do that, it boosted the girls’ morale.”
The Roar now shift focus to their clash this Friday, 7 November, travelling to take on Perth Glory at 6pm AEST before returning home to face Western Sydney Wanderers at Spencer Park on Sunday, 16 November.
