SYDNEY FC fans take note. While Vitezslav Lavicka's team lumbers through a lamentable season, Sydney's women's team is the hottest outfit in the W-League.
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Today their talents will be tested in the top-of-the-table match against Brisbane Roar. That's the same Roar club that is blitzing the A-League and playing a scintillating brand of football. The Roar women aren't too far removed.
Brisbane are also setting the pace in the W-League, although Sydney FC have a match in hand and trail by a point. And Sydney have the edge in recent matches and quality of football.
The two teams that fought out last year's grand final will show just how far the women's game has come in Australia at Campbelltown Stadium today, where Sydney will be looking for a repeat of last year's grand final win and the 4-2 triumph in the first round of this season.
However, more than just statistics and season advantage will be on the line. These two teams boast about 20 potential Matildas candidates and, with the women's World Cup in Germany barely six months away, competition for places is intense.
From the silky skills of Heather Garriock, the most capped current Matilda, to effervescent youthful stars Teigen Allen and Caitlin Foord, to the violin-playing defensive band-leader Servet Uzunlar, this is a team worthy of attention. They also happen to have the W-League's leading scorer across the three seasons, Leena Khamis, up front. Coach Alen Stajcic is glowing in his praise of the versatility and attacking options under his guidance.
Following the Sydney FC men's team this year may have been a torturous experience - topped only by the mesmerising downfall of the Australian cricket team - but at least football fans have a choice.
The Sydney women have netted 19 goals from six games and have scored four times on four separate occasions this season.
Brisbane, for their part, boast three of the finest Matildas in Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne, left-sided dynamo Elise Kellond-Knight and attacker Lisa De Vanna. An entertaining match and a form guide for the World Cup is in the offing.
Peter Wilkins will commentate today's Brisbane-Sydney W-League match for ABC TV.
