Canberra and Brisbane are heading in opposite directions. For the two teams that were considered the best last season, to be so far apart in quality must amaze many. And in the game at McKellar Stadium, this was again too evident. The Roar moved one step closer to securing the Championship again sealed a solid, workman-like double over the local team from the Capital with a 2-1 win.

Canberra lacked any leaders, except for their keeper, Lydia Williams, and more so, lacked any enthusiasm. A clear example came with the ball in Williams' hands and not one player made herself available. Certainly the loss of Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman and Rhian Davies has been significant.

On the other side of the ball, Brisbane were providing the tempo and skills that will see them unlikely to be challenged for all the silverware. The inter-play and movement off the ball was a pleasure to watch.

The game opened with Brisbane taking the initiative. Williams was called into action as early as the third minute to dive at the feet of Lana Harch from a Courtney Beutel cross. Yet, it would be a cross from the other side of the park, a few minutes later, that would undo Williams.

Unusually, Williams was caught out, embarrassingly, when Joanne Burgess latched onto a poor clearance and her cross turned into a shot and looped over the keeper, who had come out for the cross.

Canberra ventured forward, but more on the break, their small forwards not being any competition in the air against the more robust Roar defenders. Yet, still the slick Ashleigh Sykes created a few good opportunities.

On ten minutes, Sykes robbed Brooke Spence near midfield and headed to goal with just Casey Dumont in the way. Yet, a combination of the keeper closing down the angle and Sykes getting the ball caught under her feet meant that chance disappeared.

Brisbane settled down well after this early action. They dominated the right side with Burgess, Clare Polkinghorne and Aivi Luik creating numerous chances for their team-mates.

The half ended as it commenced, with Brisbane having a pair of good chances. The first came from a Luik cross to Ellen Beaumont, but Ellie Brush, playing with an ankle injury, dived in to block the shot. Then just before the break, a cross from Beaumont found Polkinghorne ghosting in at the far post, but her header was easily saved by Williams.

The final chance of the half fell to Canberra, and Sykes again. She opened herself up at the edge of the box. The shot forced a good save from Dumont, who had to leap onto the ball just before Shu O Tseng nipped in.

The second period took a little while to get going, yet with Brisbane providing more of the attack. Just past the ten minutes a volley from Harch warmed the hands of Williams.

Then the home crowd, who were enthusiastic at least, gained voice as Cian Maciejewski found the net following a rare attack by Canberra. A looping cross from Rebecca Kiting eventually made its way to Maciejewski after Tseng was able to hassle the taller Kate McShea.

The goal woke up the home team and they began to dominate their stronger opponents for the following fifteen minutes, yet Canberra were unable to take advantage. Ashleigh Sykes nearly took advantage of her speed when a rebound fell free into the Brisbane half. Yet, the Roar defence were able to get back and snuff out the chance.

Then with half and hour gone in the period, Elise Kellond-Knight unleashed a shot from just outside the box that looped over Williams and returned the lead back to Brisbane. That was to be the end of the scoring for the match, but not the action.

With time running out, Canberra made a concerted effort to break through for the equaliser. Twice Ellie Brush was on the end of a cross from Snez Veljanovska, but each time Beaumont was there to make sure her line was not breached.

Meanwhile at the other end, substitute Tameka Butt was throwing herself around, and in doing so caused some headaches for her opponents. Butt was returning from a hamstring strain and coach Jeff Hopkins did not feel she would last a full game yet. Butt's cross in time added-on fell to fellow-substitute Stephanie Latham, who's shot was acrobatically palmed away by Williams.

With three minutes up Brisbane had sealed yet another win, one more towards their equalling of the unbeaten record standing at 16. A result nest week against Melbourne will see them tie this record.