Star striker Hannah Keane has been stretchered off with a horror leg injury as Western United slipped to a 3-1 upset to Western Sydney that threw the A-League Women finals race even further open.
The finals and premiership race will come down to the final week after Newcastle stunned Melbourne Victory 3-2 to keep their season alive, and Melbourne City, at least temporarily, took top spot with a 3-0 win over Central Coast.
But Keane's injury dampened an otherwise exciting and dramatic Saturday of action.
United were already potentially without Chloe Logarzo (hip) for the rest of the season when Keane, in the 70th minute, was running towards goal and seemingly got her right foot caught, then fell awkwardly on the leg.
There was a lengthy delay as Keane received treatment at Wanderers Football Park before being taken from the field with a likely season-ending injury.
Keane poked Western in front in the 17th minute after the Wanderers failed to deal with a Tyla-Jay Vlajnic corner.
Western Sydney hit back when Ella Buchanan tapped home from close range in the 39th minute.
Star striker Sophie Harding put Western Sydney in front in the 61st minute, then wrapped up victory in the 82nd.
Former Melbourne Victory star Melina Ayres came back to haunt her ex-club, scoring two goals to deliver Newcastle a season-reviving comeback win.
Victory only needed a point from Saturday's trip to Newcastle to secure a finals berth, but they twice threw away a lead at the No.2 Sportsground.
Rachel Lowe's 11th goal of the season handed Victory the advantage in the 14th minute, but Lauren Allan headed home shortly before halftime for the Jets to keep the contest alive.
Tori Hansen's lovely volley from a Jamilla Rankin free kick restored Victory's lead in the 53rd minute.
But two-time Victory championship winner Ayres came off the bench to equalise in the 80th minute, then launched from the edge of the 18-yard box seven minutes later to snare three points.
Tempers flared in the 90th minute when Emily Gielnik yanked Mindy Barbieri up off the ground as the Jets midfielder was tying her laces.
Jets goalkeeper Izzy Nino rushed into the fray and shoved Gielnik in the throat, earning a straight red card that means she will be suspended for next week's do-or-die clash with Adelaide.
Melbourne City, Sydney, Western United and Central Coast have already sealed finals places.
Sixth-placed Victory (33 points) have to play in-form Sydney in their final game of the regular season, while the fifth-placed Wanderers (33 points) and seventh-placed Jets (30 points) remain alive.
Wellington (eighth on 25 points with a game in hand), who play Canberra United on Sunday, can also still make finals.
At Casey Fields, Dario Vidosic's City snapped the Mariners' five-game unbeaten run and, at least temporarily, leapfrogged Sydney FC into top spot.
City striker Hannah Wilkinson tapped home in the 24th minute, before Emina Ekic scored a penalty four minutes later.
Kyah Simon missed a penalty in the 50th minute and City rounded out their victory in the 87th minute, when Rhianna Pollicina teed up Taylor Otto to tap home their third.
Vidosic's charges are on 38 points, with United on 35.
Sydney are in pole position on 36, and with a game in hand, ahead of their Sunday clash with struggling Adelaide.
