Striker Holly Furphy wants to take Melbourne Victory back to the top and stamp her authority on the A-League Women in the process.

Furphy showed good instincts and poise to nab a goal in Victory's gutsy 1-1 away draw with Wellington and is already forming a good partnership with speedy recruit Sophie Harding.

A revelation as a mid-year injury replacement signing two years ago, the 24-year-old feels ready to put her name up in lights in her third season.

"Now I feel a bit more established in this league, and I'm more confident and I'm one of the senior girls in the group now," Furphy said.

"I'm taking that role with a bit of pride and trying to push the girls to finish the season really well and hopefully get a title out of it."

Coach Jeff Hopkins backed Furphy to break out this season.

"You will see a different, maybe more confident player," Hopkins said.

"She missed a year with a serious (ACL) injury. That didn't help her.

"But she's forever asking questions, she wants to learn, physically, she's amazing. You can see already that she's a confident player. She's confident in herself. 

"Even from the first week of pre-season, she's added things to her game already in terms of her decision-making and making her a very, very difficult player to play against."

Victory are determined to be back among the contenders this season.

"Last season, sure we made finals, but didn't go exactly the way we wanted," Furphy said.

"So a point to prove for sure, and I feel like we're all on the same page and all going the same direction and we need to fight for it."

Victory will be without midfielder Alicia Woods (concussion) when they host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday, when Canberra will play Western Sydney before Perth take on Wellington in the late game.

On Saturday, battling Brisbane host Sydney FC while leaders Central Coast play Adelaide.

Melbourne City, away in Uzbekistan for the group stage of the Women's Asian Champions League, have the bye.