2019 has commenced with a flurry of fixtures in Australia’s domestic leagues. We take a look at the major milestones achieved by players following action in the W-League and A-League.
While no stranger to scoring goals or breaking records, Sydney FC’s Alex Brosque added another milestone to his decorated domestic career on Friday night, scoring his first ever A-League hat-trick in the Sky Blues’ 5-2 demolition of the Central Coast Mariners.
Brosque, who has made 230 appearances across 11 seasons, has now scored 69 A-League goals. The 35-year-old veteran scored Sydney’s equaliser with a neat back-heel early in the second half, before tapping home from close range after his initial header was saved by Ben Kennedy.
Rounding out his treble, Brosque saved his best for last, executing a sublime left-footed chip over Kennedy to bring up his first ever A-League hat-trick.
️⚽️ | Want some sauce with your chip? 👌👌
A fantastic goal from Captain Alex Brosque to bring up his hat-trick, and the pick of our strikes on the night! A great win at Jubilee Stadium…#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #SYDvCCM pic.twitter.com/iYl1U7jF9g
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 4, 2019
A player who is less renowned than Brosque for his goal-scoring exploits, but has been equally important for his team’s rise to the top of the A-League ladder, Neil Kilkenny also secured a personal record during the A-League’s weekend action.
As well as scoring twice from the penalty spot – representing his first double in the A-League – in Perth Glory’s come from behind 4-2 win over Brisbane Roar, Kilkenny also tallied the most touches, most passes and equal most chances created of any player on the pitch at Suncorp Stadium.
GET IN THERE!!!!! KILLA AT THE DOUBLE!!!
(2-2) #BRIvPER #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/t7BDCduh22
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) January 6, 2019
Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory handed starting debuts to teenager Tate Russell and 21-year-old Tasmanian Josh Hope in their clash on Saturday.
What a starting debut by Tate Russell 👏 #WSW #WSWvMVC pic.twitter.com/g3aCQdG0gS
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) January 5, 2019
Hope has now secured two milestones this season – a maiden goal for Victory against the Mariners last November and a first A-League start.
Russell, 19, made his first senior appearance following two seasons with the Wanderers’ National Youth team, playing the full 90 minutes against the reigning Champions.
Special moment for @wswanderersfc debutant @Tate_Russell being congratulated by family , including dad former Steelers and @nthqldcowboys Ian Russell. pic.twitter.com/SrzvcqDaN8
— Shannon Byrne (@shannonbyrne23) January 5, 2019
In the W-League, Libby Copus-Brown scored a remarkable long-range strike in the Newcastle Jets’ 2-1 loss agains Sydney FC.
The fact that it was Copus-Brown’s first ever goal in the W-League – after five seasons with the Jets – made it all the more significant. Click on the video below to enjoy this sumptuous strike!
An absolute thunderbolt from Libby Copus-Brown pulled us right back into this one 👏👏 #SYDvNEW #WLeague #MadeOfNewcastle pic.twitter.com/s84t8A1dZR
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) January 4, 2019