Above: Perth Glory captain Izzy Dalton speaks to the media yesterday. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory captain Izzy Dalton believes that a strengthened forward line, and the return from injury of several of the club’s creative midfield talent can push the team towards Finals football this season.
Speaking at the club’s season launch/30th anniversary event at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Yorkshire-born midfielder highlighted the real positives she sees within the squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cessnock against Newcastle Jets.
“We’ve retained the majority of our squad from last year, and I think that carries with it a lot of weight. You can see in our pre-season that the togetherness is huge and I don’t think we had that last year. Hopefully with this team and with the new recruits, that we got in, Finals football is our focus.”
Last season, one of the key reasons for the Glory missing out on a place in the top six, was a lack of goals, but with the arrival of a Football Fern from the NPLW Victoria with a sackful of them, Dalton believes that the situation is well taken care of.
“We got Maggie Jenkins, a New Zealand centre forward, and she has looked phenomenal…we’ve obviously been lacking in a consistent goalscorer, and I think she’ll definitely add that for us.”
It’s not just up top where the Glory captain believes things are stronger.
“At the back, we’ve got Ella Buchanan, who has come across from (Western Sydney) Wanderers, and she is another solid player. Baxter Thew, same thing. She was with us a couple of years ago as a train on, but I think the State game on the weekend showed exactly the type of player she is, and she is going to be solid.”
The words ‘Baxter Thew’ and ‘solid’ have gone together for a very long time. Thew had been a stand out player in the NPLW WA for many seasons, but had to wait for Central Coast Mariners’ offer in 2025 to get a first chance to play A-League Women football. The defender is back in her home city and will provide major ballast for the Glory backline.
Dalton missed a large chunk of last season with injury, along with another key member of the Western Australian side’s midfield, Junior Matilda Georgia Cassidy. With the pair now ready to pull on the purple and orange again, the Barnsley-born captain is excited.
“Our midfield has immense talent and I think we can do some amazing things together, but it’s obviously about staying fit at the same time. We obviously lacked that quite a bit (last season).
“It’s not been the speediest recovery. I had to have surgery at the end of last season…but I am back on the pitch and in training now, which is good, and it’s just about building up some fitness and getting ready to play.”
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NineImpetus writers provide an in-depth look at each of the league’s 11 teams ahead of the big kick-off this weekend.
Above: Melbourne City lift the trophy after last season’s Grand Final win over Wellington Phoenix. Photo: Tilly McDonald for Impetus.
Adelaide United
by Karleen Stevens
After a frustrating end to their 2025/26 season, Adelaide United have made big changes on and off the field and will be hoping to go deep into finals this year. Targeted recruiting, an expanded training base and a new leadership team have given them a refreshed outlook, along with the belief that they can do just that.
A fifth finish after the regular season last year put the Reds into consecutive finals series for the first time in the club’s history. However, they struggled to match it with the top teams and failed to progress beyond the Elimination Final.
This year they’ll be looking to push all the way, and have recruited a strong mix of experienced and emerging youth players to fill the gaps.
This started with midfielder Adriana Taranto stepping into the captain’s boots in just her second season at the club, following the departure of 120-gamer Isabel Hodgson to Brisbane.
Above: Adriana Taranto has some big shoes to fill as she steps into the captaincy role in only her second season at Adelaide. Credit: via Adelaide United
But the big news from Adelaide this off season is the signing of Jamaican international Tianna Harris, who joins the club from SF Damaiense in Portugal. 26-year-old Harris will be the first Jamaican to play in the A-League Women and the team will look to her to fill the defensive gap left by departing captain Hodgson.
Harris also steps into the vice-captain role alongside Taranto. Rounding out the leadership team will be Paige Zois, Sian Dewey and rising star Ilona Melegh, who will be looking to get some extra minutes in goal this year after getting her first national team call up in June.
Elsewhere on the field, the Reds will feel the loss of club stalwart Emily Condon, who departs for Canberra as United’s second all-time games record holder. Midfielder Sarah Morgan and defender Zoe Tolland will join her in Canberra, while Ella Tonkin, Matilda McNamara and last season’s top goal scorer Erin Healy all farewelled the club to pursue opportunities in Europe.
There’s plenty of talent incoming, though, with tall forward Tessa Salvestrin hoping to bring extra pace to the Reds’ attack. The 22-year-old American has enjoyed recent success at SCU Torrense in Portugal, and at 180cm should provide a genuine aerial option up front. 22-year-old defender Bella Yakel is another young American to make the move down under after spending the pre-season training with the Portland Thorns.
Meanwhile, Young Matilda Claudia Cicco also joins the new-look defensive line-up from Newcastle Jets. The 21-year-old already has plenty of A-League experience, and with a two-year deal will be hoping to build a solid career foundation in Adelaide.
A pair of Young Matildas also join the list of new signings for the Reds: midfielder Kiera Meyers and versatile left side player India Breier.
Midfielder Maeve Nicolas is among the returnees from last season, and she will join back up with the team when she returns from representing the Junior Matildas at this month’s U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Other returnees in the Red’s 2026/27 squad are midfielder Melissa Taranto, defender Holly Murray and striker Carina Rossi, who have all re-signed from last year’s squad.
This new-look Adelaide team should feel rejuvenated with plenty of youth and new talent joining an experienced line up. They’ve laid the foundations for a strong 2026/27 season and will be disappointed with anything less than finals victories.
Brisbane Roar
by Kieran Yap
Above: Nat Tathem, seen here with the Roar in 2022, is back in Brisbane after spells at Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory. Photo: A-Leagues.
Brisbane Roar are at the beginning of a mini- reset, but things look exciting for one of the powerhouses of the A-League Women.
Despite some significant injuries and departures, Roar finished third under Alex Smith last season. It was an impressive end to a campaign that threatened to be derailed by Grace Kuilamu and Sharn Freier being hit by torn ACL’s, Tameka Yallop missing a large part of the season and Leia Varley moving overseas.
Following that, Smith was signed by Brooklyn FC in the USL, and Roar have turned to prodigious Victorian coach Johnathan Clemente to lead them this season. At 27, Clemente is the youngest head coach in A-League history. He arrives after three seasons as assistant to Jeff Hopkins at Melbourne Victory, where he was also hugely impactful on the youth development side of things at the club.
As head coach of Heidelberg United in Victoria’s NPLW, Clemente’s teams played an attacking style of football that favoured speed in attack and quick ball movement. This will suit the Roar players that have remained and likely ensure that new signings can make an impact.
Those additions include American striker Abby Smothers. The left footer looked dangerous and confident in her college career where she scored 28 goals in 61 games, including 11 goals and five assists in 2025 for Western Michigan University.
Smothers looks to be an exciting addition to the team and if she adapts quickly, can take the pressure off fellow speedsters Kuilamu and Freier who can return to play in time.
Local star Lily Punch has been signed from The Queensland Academy of Sport. The 18 year old forward is hugely rated, and is the reigning Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the QLD NPLW.
Roar have also added significant A-League experience and leadership. Isabel Hodgson is a real coup for the club. The former Adelaide United legend can play in a variety of roles, and can help make up for the departures of Aimee Medwin, or Angie Beard.
Similarly, Nat Tathem brings championship winning experience and versatility to the side. The newly appointed captain can play in midfield or defence and has been a deserved fan favourite at every club she has played for.
Philippines international Hali Long joins to bolster the defence and Emily Roach arrives after finding her best form for South Melbourne in 2026.
Roach, Tathem, Hodgson and former Mariner Annabel Martin all point to depth being a real focus for this side. All are players who can be positioned almost anywhere on the pitch, and should go some way to insuring the team against injuries and allow them to rotate players if needed without forcing unwanted tactical change.
The departures look worrying on paper. Yallop has moved to Wellington Phoenix, Alicia Woods and Beard were signed by Melbourne Victory and Momo Hayashi has departed for City.
But Roar have a strong squad with a mix of players who are proven at this level, ones with something to prove and players who are a combination of both.
It is an a season packed with potential for Brisbane Roar.
Canberra United
by Kieran Yap
Above: Nanako Sasaki. Back in the nation’s capital for 2026/27. Photo: A-Leagues.
Canberra United finished third and made the Elimination Final last season. With the retention of their core players and the addition of some star power, they have every chance of challenging for trophies in 2026/27.
For the last two years of Canberra United’s existence, it’s future has been a talking point throughout the A-League Women season. The arrival of new owners Australian Sports Group, who are fully invested in women’s football has buoyed spirits around the club and supporters. After that news was announced in July, the club moved quickly to build towards this season.
The first decision was to reappoint Antoni Jagarinec as head coach. The Canberra local has led them on the last two campaigns with different squads and improved results.
Not much needed to change from last season. Canberra were dangerous in attack, combative around the ball and strong in defence, but the losses of Ava Piazza and Tegan Bertolissio are significant and they needed to add some extra firepower after a disappointing defeat to Melbourne Victory to end their last campaign.
Madison Ayson has returned to the club after a year with Sydney FC. The central defender will partner Liz Anton and in front of Sally James provides a strong defensive foundation.
Zoe Tolland joins from Adelaide United. The right full back is a direct replacement for Bertolissio and should be capable of filling the departed Young Matildas boots, especially with Sasha Grove playing up the pitch on her side.
Sarah Morgan made the journey from South Australia with her. The central midfielder is tactically versatile and will help the team’s attacking talent flourish.
Canberra were the fourth highest scoring team last season, with 30 goals in 20 home and away games. However, they looked outgunned in the final against Victory. Michelle Heyman has another solid year, but needed support in this season. That has arrived in the form of Emily Condon and Caley Tallon-Henniker.
Condon is one of the best playmakers in the A-League Women. When fit, she is a game changer capable of creating chances and finishing them. She has a venomous free kick, an eye for a killer pass and quick feet to escape defensive pressure.
Condon is a star, an entertainer who improves her teammates. This was a coup for Canberra United and one that could see them close the gap on the top two.
Tallon-Henniker is a rising talent in this league. The Young Matilda and former Sydney FC forward is best used out wide, giving Canberra United a potential front three of her, Heyman and Grove.
She is able to swap flanks, or score from the middle. She is quick, decisive and composed. This is another new arrival that significantly strengthens Canberra United in attack.
Jagarinec has recruited very well. The new arrivals either directly address an issue from last season or replace a departed player. If things click quickly as they should with the minimal squad turnover, they will be stronger in all three areas of the pitch.
First place may be a little too ambitious as a prediction, but a Grand Final win is entirely possible.
Central Coast Mariners
by Alyce Collett
Above: Fiorina Iaria will be looking to replicate her NPLW Victoria form for the Central Coast Mariners this season. Credit: via Central Coast Mariners.
It is hard to win titles in multiple seasons in a row, and the Central Coast Mariners found that out the hard way in the 2025/26 season.
After winning only one of their first four matches of the season, the Mariners ultimately missed the finals on goal difference after being unable to account for Sydney FC in their final match of the season.
The offseason was certainly not a restful one for anyone involved at the club.
Ownership uncertainty plagued the club for much of the close season and for the women’s side it was not helped when Total Soccer Growth Holdings only bought the men’s side of the club, leaving the A League Women’s side in the lurch.
However, the Holman Barnes Group saved the day in early August when it was announced that they would be the new owners of the team.
Despite everything that has gone on, it certainly has not been a quiet one on the signings front for the Mariners.
A number of exciting young stars have signed with the Mariners for this season.
After struggling for minutes at Sydney FC in her debut season last season, 2025 NPLW NSW Golden Boot winner Skye Hamarick will certainly be hoping for better times this time around.
Morgan Aquino is another new face for the Mariners this season, returning to Australia after some time playing in the USA and will be hoping for a great season that correlates to a recall to the goal keeping union of the Matildas.
Even just in the last 24 hours the Mariners have made another signing announcement, with teenager Fiorina Iaria signing with the club. The 19 year old is a winger, and was a member of Melbourne Victory’s A League Women’s squad last season but was really impressive during the recently completed NPL Women Victoria season. This stellar season which saw her win the 2026 NPLW Victoria Rising Star Award was highlighted with a four goal performance for Melbourne Victory against Melbourne City.
Since the new Mariners’ women’s team owners also own an equity stake in NPLW NSW side Apia Leichardt, it is perhaps no surprise to see some of the Tigers’ stars being signed at the Mariners, namely forward Talia Kapetanellis and midfielder Te Reremoana Walker.
However, as good as some members on the incoming players list are, there are also some big names who have left the club in recent months that leave big shoes to fill.
Isabel Gomez is perhaps the most well known of these, with the midfielder having left to play for FC Rosengard in Sweden. She was a core member of the Mariners’ midfield for a long time, and alongside fellow departee Avaani Prakash – who has moved back to Victoria to join Melbourne City – leave big holes to fill in Central Coast’s midfield.
Goal keeper Sarah Langman and defender Annabel Martin have also left the club, and with their departure sees a huge amount of experience and leadership also leave the club.
However there are still plenty of fan favourites pulling on the blue and yellow this season, including young stars Peta Trimis and Tiana Fuller, and captain Taren King.
Melbourne City
by Emma Burke
Above: Cortnee Vine is back in the A-League Women to push Melbourne City’s defence. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City was perhaps the hardest team hit by the latest exodus of players overseas, losing a starting eleven’s worth of players over the offseason.
As sad as this is for fans, it comes as little surprise considering City finally managed to do the double, winning the Premiers’ Plate and securing their place in the Asian Women’s Champions League (AWCL) for the third consecutive time, and finally winning the Championship, defeating Wellington Phoenix 3-1.
Leaving the club is two-time Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara, heading to Everton and Leah Davidson to Charlton Athletic, these being the only to move to England’s top league.
Laura Hughes, Alexia Apostolakis, and Leticia McKenna also went to England, but to the second tier of the competition, for Southampton, Bristol City, and Nottingham Forest respectively. Other moves include Bryleeh Henry to Rosengård in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan and defender Taylor Otto heading to Canada, securing a move to the Northern Super League’s Calgary Wild.
Of all the players to leave Melbourne City this offseason, only one of them was to another A-League Women’s (ALW) team, goalkeeper Ayana Aoyagi, to cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory. City also parted ways with Nigerian international Chinaza Uchendu, who scored the goal that secured Melbourne City a place in the AWCL semi-finals last season, Caitlin Karic, and Ellie Wilson.
Seeing all of these exits, one would expect City to now be entering an era of rebuilding, however, when you see just who they’ve brought in, you realise that really is not the case.
Top billing goes to none other than Cortnee Vine, who returns to the ALW for the first time since 2024. Vine might have seen little game time with her American club, the North Carolina Courage, but almost every Australian is aware of her, making her a massive draw card for viewers. Vine is likely looking to make a return to the Matildas ahead of the Women’s World Cup next year, and is in a very good place to do so.
The other big names include Matildas defender Jessika Nash, returning to Australia after a stint in Italy with U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, and Melina Ayres who returns to her first ever ALW club, having been with City from 2015 to 2017.
City have gone shopping across the league, picking up Brisbane Roar’s fan favourite Momo Hayashi, defender Taylor Ray from Melbourne Victory, Amy Medwin from the now defunct Western United, and young gun Avaani Prakash from Central Coast Mariners.
They’ve also signed American Kelli McGroarty, this years’ National Premier League Women (NPLW) Golden Boot winner, scoring 33 times in just 25 games.
With all this in mind, and the re-signings they’ve made in goalkeeper Malena Mieres, Aideen Keane, Karly Roestbakken, Deven Jackson, Melissa Barbieri, and their head coach Michael Matricciani, City are definitely going to make this season a challenge for every team they face in the league, and in Asia.
They’re still the team to beat, at least on paper.
Melbourne Victory
by Isabelle Campbell
Above: Philippines international Angie Beard’s return to Melbourne Victory is a big statement by Jeff Hopkins’ side. Photo: ESPN Philippines.
Melbourne Victory head into the new A-League Women season looking to turn potential into performance. On paper, Victory looked to have one of the strongest squads in the league last season, but inconsistency proved costly as they struggled to find their best form. A semi-final defeat to cross-town rivals Melbourne City ended their campaign, with a lack of goals another issue they will be looking to address.
Jeff Hopkins returns for his 11th season in charge, with Victory retaining key players who form the backbone of the squad, including Claudia Bunge, Nicki Flannery and reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Courtney Newbon, who has recently received her first Matildas call-up. However, the departures of Rhianna Pollicina and Taylor Ray leave significant gaps in midfield after both played pivotal roles last season.
The return of Angie Beard is a significant boost for Victory. The Philippines international and all-star is one of the best left-backs in the country, offering quality at both ends of the pitch. Her ability to defend one-on-one and provide an attacking outlet down the left gives Victory another dimension, while also allowing Alana Jancevski to move further forward after spending the past two seasons covering at left-back. Beard’s return strengthens the defence and gives Victory greater flexibility in attack as they look to find more consistency this season.
Ayana Aoyagi makes the cross-town move from Melbourne City, yet to make her A-League Women debut. The goalkeeper has already shown her ability to perform under pressure, starring for South Melbourne in the 2025 Nike Cup Grand Final. Composed and positionally sound, she is also a strong penalty saver. Aoyagi spent last season training alongside Melissa Barbieri and Malena Mieres at City. Though she’s yet to make her league debut, that experience is invaluable as she prepares to take the next step in her career.
American born, Skye Leach arrives as a fresh Philippines international, bringing a physical presence and an ability to score. Her strength offers Victory another option in attack, while her finishing could prove important for a side looking to improve its output in front of goal. With Victory needing ruthlessness in the final third, Leach has an opportunity to establish herself and make an impact in her first A-League Women season.
Sophie Harding is probably one of Victory’s most significant additions. The Julie Dolan Medallist arrives with a proven A-League scoring record, having recently spent time in the USL. Her pace, high pressing and finishing make her a threat in the final third, and her experience in the competition should help her settle quickly. Given Victory’s struggles in front of goal last season, Harding will be expected to provide a reliable source of goals and help turn chances into points.
Tish Woods offers dimension in midfield. A deep-lying playmaker, she can dictate play from deeper areas and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Her right foot also provides a set-piece threat Victory have previously lacked, while her ability to score is just an added bonus. With Pollicina and Ray’s departure, Woods will have an important role to play in reshaping the midfield and providing the creativity Victory need.
Victory have added quality across the pitch, but the challenge remains the same: finding consistency. Harding and Leach offer fresh attacking options, Woods brings midfield creativity, and Beard strengthens the defence. With Hopkins continuing at the helm, the foundations are there. Whether Victory can turn their squad’s potential into sustained performances will determine whether they can go one step further this season.
Newcastle Jets
by Alyce Collett
Above: New arrival Akeisha Sandhu, seen in action here for Essendon Royals. Photo: via NPL Victoria
Season 2025/26 started so positively for the Newcastle Jets, and things were looking positive.
There were three wins and a draw in the first five games of the season, and the Jets were being talked about as a team to watch in 25/26, but unfortunately for them, things petered out after that. There would be only four more wins for the entire campaign, and ultimately the Jets finished in ninth place on the ladder.
A team that often flies under the radar when it comes to discussions of the A-League Women’s, Newcastle will certainly be hoping that is not the case in season 2025/26.
However, there is one big question surrounding the Jets ahead of the new campaign – where will their goals come from?
Newcastle had two players in the top 10 of the Golden Boot race last season – Kelli Brown and Melina Ayres – but both of them are playing for other clubs this season, Canberra United and Melbourne City respectively, so someone else is going to need to stand up and fill that hole in the goal scoring capabilities department.
Brown and Ayres are not the only two big names who have left the Hunter in the offseason, with fan favourite Lauren Allan announcing her retirement from the league. She was one of the most experienced members of the squad last season, so her departure leaves a gap in the leadership and experience department.
Despite Allan’s departure there are still plenty of experienced heads at the Jets, including the likes of skipper Cass Davis and fellow leader Libby Copus-Brown, who acted as captain a couple of times last season in Davis’ absence.
The Jets have also looked far and wide in their recruiting quest.
Akeisha Sandhu has been recruited from NPLW Victoria side Essendon Royals, and will be looking to fill the goal scoring void left by Brown and Ayres.
The Jets have signed another attacker to a scholarship contract, with academy member Aaliyah Kilroy securing the coveted contract. She was a key part of Newcastle’s Youth Team’s run to the Football NSW League One Grand Final earlier this year, starting in all bar three matches.
A familiar face is back at the Jets, with 2022/23 and 2024/25 squad member Chloe Walandouw returning again to the club after having spent this past NPLW NSW season with the Northern Tigers.
The defensive end has also received a boost, with former Perth and Western Sydney defender Poppie Hooks moving up the highway and American goal keeper Claire Henninger joining from from Portuguese side S.F. Damaiense.
Perth Glory
by Ben Gilby
Above: Emma Tovar pictured in HBF Park’s iconic ‘Shed’ during the new season kit launch. Photo: Perth Glory.
This is now the eighth season since Perth Glory made the Finals, and whilst head coach Stephen Peters is positive that this will be the campaign that the drought finally comes to an end, it would be a huge achievement for a squad who has lost a number of their best players from last season.
2025/26 saw the Glory come within four points of the top six, but ultimately it was a lack of goals that did for them. The Western Australians netted just 20 times, with only the bottom two sides, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers scoring fewer.
In order to improve the firepower in the side, Peters has brought in New Zealander Maggie Jenkins, who has an impressive goal scoring record at NPLW level with Essendon Royals in Victoria after powerful performances with both Wellington United and Auckland United. Jenkins will be looking to hit the ground running alongside Rola Badawiya, and locally produced striker Ella Lincoln, who is showing all the signs that NPLW WA watchers have been aware of for several years now.
The Glory can also point to the return of Megan Wynne who injured her ACL at the end of the 2024/25 season, and a fit Susan Phonsongkham is always exciting. Keep an eye out for the physical presence and pace of Western Australian teen Theodora Mouithys, part of the Junior Matildas U17 World Cup squad, who is on a YDA contract. Mouithys has lit up the NPLW WA with the Football West Academy over the past three seasons and has the presence to be a star.
Perth have also done extremely well to keep hold of Teresa Morrissey, who was such an impressive presence in goal last season.
However, there is no doubt that the team have suffered some major departures over the close season. Grace Johnston is now a WSL regular with Charlton Athletic, Tijan McKenna is in Norway with top side Vålerenga, and key defensive presences Naomi Chinnama and Nat Tathem have also gone.
The Western Australian side still have an abundance of talent in the centre of the park, and the success or otherwise of the season ahead is likely to depend on how well they can create the chances for the strikers to convert.
Any team who can call on the potential of Georgia Cassidy, Ella Abdul-Massih, Izzy Dalton, Charli Wainwright, Emma Tovar, and Daisy McAllister have the ability to be a handful.
But Perth are competing with teams who have strengthened considerably, and so their season will come down to whether or not they can find the net regularly. If they can’t, the Glory could find themselves nearer the bottom of the ladder than the top six.
Sydney FC
by Monica Clarke
Above: Amy Chessari and Indiana Dos Santos pictured at the club’s kit launch recently. Photo: Sydney FC.
Can Sydney FC bounce back from two disappointing seasons? Just three seasons ago the club held back-to-back championships and premiership.
In the 2024/2025 season, the club placed eighth which was the lowest the club had finished on the ladder at the time. However last season saw the club reach a new low of 10th, only just missing last place by goal difference.
The club begins the new season with James Slaveski named as Head coach after he was interim head coach from February last season. Slaveski has built up a squad with a combination of domestic and international players with varied experiences in the hopes of qualifying for the finals in the upcoming 2026/2027 season.
Sydney FC have a massive population of young Australian talent going into the upcoming season with over 30% of the Junior World Cup squad being Sydney FC players. These players include Willa Pearson, Alyse Oppedisano, Claire Corbett and Rubi Sullivan all returning for another season in Sky Blue as well as the new signings Annabelle Croll, Abbie Puckett and Jada Taylor. This will mean the squad will be missing seven players come the first fixtures of the season.
The squad has also welcomed back two club legends: Charlotte Mclean and Jada Whyman. Both players had huge success at the club in the past, both contributing to three premiership wins and two championship wins for the club. Sydney FC will be hoping to bring this success back to the club for the 2026/2027 season.
The club has also made the signing of Poppy Channing, a Football NSW NPL superstar. Channing’s UNSW team were runners-up in the NPL final as well as winning the Sapphire Cup. The defender also came away from the Sapphire Cup final as Player of the Match.
The club will also welcome back captain Nat Tobin in the 2026/2027 season after the birth of her son. Sarah Hunter will also return to play after a collarbone injury kept her out for the end of last season. Hunter had a successful NPL season with the Bulls, securing the premiership and championship, scoring an amazing penalty in the final. Liv Price is back in sky blue after 10 seasons away. She has been with Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers in the interim period.
Panama international Riley Tanner returns to Sydney FC as Riley Cohn after getting married over the break. Faith Webber, Kenzie Rolling and Kiley Dulney all join the squad, making the move over to Australia from America.
The club has seen many well-loved players leave for other opportunities. Tori Tumeth moved to Vancouver and Hana Lowry moved to Oslo for international football opportunities and both have since been called up to play for the Matildas.
Long-time favourites Mackenzie Hawkesby and Abbey Lemon left the club as well as Kirsty Fenton, who stepped away from football and mutually terminated her contract. International Jodi Ülkekul retired while Heather Hinz returned to America. Madison Ayson, Caley Tallon-Henniker and Skye Halmaric have moved to other clubs within the A-League.
Wellington Phoenix
by Ryan Imray
Above: Abby Erceg’s signing is a massive boost for Wellington Phoenix’s hopes of going one better than last season. Photo: Wellington Phoenix FC.
The 2025/2026 season was a record-breaking season for Wellington Phoenix. They became the first non-Australian side to make the Grand Final, and despite falling short to Melbourne City, there is a lot of optimism amongst Phoenix fans for is ahead.
Bev Priestman coming into her second season in charge, has made many adjustments to the side in the hope to go one step further and add silverware to the trophy cabinet.
Macey Fraser’s departure was the big one out of the ten players to leave the club. Macey and the club deciding to mutually terminate the remainder of her contact as was Tiana Jaber, who has returned to Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers. Ella McMillan, Ela Jerez, Daisy Brazendale, Lucia Leon, Mackenzie Anthony, Tessel Middag and Emma Pijnenburg have also left.
In terms of those coming in, Zoe Benson signed a Youth Development Contract for the 2025/2026 season and after making a significant impact to the side including scoring her first professional goal in a 2-0 win over Canberra United, she has been rewarded with her first professional contract signing a three-year deal. Academy graduate Manaia Elliot put pen to paper on a new deal with the club signing on for her fourth A-League season. Goalkeepers Victoria Esson and Aimee Danieli also committed themselves for the 2026/2027 season.
Amongst the names that have been bought in, there are some familiar faces that are well known to football fans across Australia and New Zealand, one of them being Tameka Yallop. The decorated midfielder who falls under the legendary status across Australia, comes into the side bringing in a wealth of experience.
She is joined by Abby Erceg, the fourth most capped Football Fern who has played at four Olympics and World Cups has joined on a one-year deal.
Also coming in are NZ international Indiah-Paige Riley from Crystal Palace in England, Milly Clegg, who returns after spells in four overseas nations, and American Kam Pickett – Speedy Gonzales – has arrived after a season in Iceland. has signed on for the upcoming season.
Elsewhere, Alyssa Whinham and Sabitra Bhandari suffered ACL injuries last season, and Lara Wall announced she was departing before playing in some pre-season games. CJ Bott welcomed her first child into the world in July.
There is a feeling that the squad have the belief that they can go all the way and that grand final defeat will only add to the hunger and desire. The experience of the likes of Yallop, Erceg, Jale and Barry is something money can’t buy.
Then you add the young and upcoming stars, the likes of Benson, Vlok and Elliott, the types of players that get you on the edge of your seat. When you put all of that together under the experience and passion of a coach like Bev Priestman, who knows what could happen. Last season was the best season in the club’s history; we could be on the verge of the start of a season that could be better than that one.
Western Sydney Wanderers
by Hannah Gray
Above: The return to Western Sydney of Rhianna Pollicina gives the club’s hopes for a strong season a major boost. Image: Western Sydney Wanderers.
After a difficult 2025/2026 campaign will the Western Sydney Wanderers be able to turn it around and produce a better outcome in their 2026/2027 campaign?
A tricky 2025/26 A-league Women’s season saw Western Sydney Wanderers finish bottom of the table with only five wins, four draws and a shocking 11 losses. Whilst there were plenty of promising moments throughout their season including a 3-2 away win in their Round 15 Sydney derby clash and a victory over eventual premier Melbourne City. Inconsistency ultimately cost the Wanderers their season as they struggled to turn strong performance into regular points.
After a major clean out in the off season the Wanderers look to take the pitch this year with an almost entirely new look squad. With some of their key players from last season leaving including their captain Amy Harrison and the club’s highest capped player Danika Matos who has 111 games of experience under her belt. It would make sense for many to question how this team is going to perform this year.
Replacing that experience will be a major challenge, but the Wanderers have responded with some impressive new signing.
With the team coinciding 34 points during their 2025/26 campaign, the signing of 2024/ 25 A-league women’s Goalkeeper of the year Sarah Langman brings many positives to the club. Langman brings a wealth of experience between the sticks helping guide Central Coast Mariners to a championship in their 2024/ 25 campaign, and it’s hoped she can provide her new team with a wealth of leadership and knowledge to help guide a relatively young Wanderers side.
Two Western Sydney products are also returning back to their home town clubs this season. Tiana Jaber and Rhianna Pollicina are expected to bring a whole lot of spark to both Wanderers attack and defence this year. After 5 seasons away from the club it’s hoped that Pollicina can continue her high goal scoring rate from last year continuing to score many more points for her new colours. Her experience, creativity and proven ability to score goals could provide exactly what the Wanderers lacked last season.
Despite all the changes one familiar face remains at the center of the Wanderers attacking plans: Talia Younis, despite only being 17 years old Younis has already managed to make 50 appearances in the A-league and wrapped up an incredible 2025/26 season with the silverware to show it as she was named both the Wanderers Members player of the year and the clubs player of the year.
Younis has established herself as one of the league’s most exciting young players and with the Western Sydney junior staying loyal to her club it gives the coaching staff a strong foundation to build around.
Sofia Sakalis, an impressive performer in the A-League Women for several years also joins the club after spells with both Melbourne clubs as well as Perth Glory.
With so many new faces patience may be required early on in the season as the squad continues to develop its combinations, but after a difficult 2025/26 campaign where the Wanderers walked away with the wooden spoon it can only be up from here for this new look Wanderers side.
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Above: The A-League Women’s two Melbourne teams will both be looking to take it up a notch this coming season. Photo:via the A-Leagues.
Ahead of the A-League Women’s season, Melbourne City’s Rebekah Stott and Melbourne Victory’s Angie Beard spoke to the media about their respective sides’ goals for the season and what the future may hold for the League.
“We want to win three trophies and that’s our goal,” said Stott.
After finally winning the elusive Championship trophy last season, as well as the Premiers’ Plate, Melbourne City will be returning to the Asian Women’s Champions League (AWCL) for the third successive time.
City’s signings for the season headline with the return of Matildas fan favourite Cortnee Vine, who has spent the last few years in America with the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“She can bring her experience and obviously on the field, her speed down the wing is going to be great for us. Her hitting in crosses to [Melina Ayres] is going to be unreal for us,” said Stott on Vine’s return to the league.
Other new signings include Jessika Nash, Melina Ayres, Avaani Prakash, Momo Hayashi, and more, making the losses of Holly McNamara, Leticia McKenna, Leah Davidson, and more again seem much less scary.
Even with the huge offseason turnover, Stott is confident in her side and backs the work they’ve done so far to set them up well for the season.
“We’ve built a lot of cohesion in the team already and I think we’re in a good place,” she said.
On the other side of town, Melbourne Victory are looking to improve on last season’s tumultuous place.
One person that’s hoping to help them do that is the returning Angie Beard.
“At the end of the day I think I made a fantastic decision, I’m here at Victory again, I love it here,” she said.
Beard last played for Melbourne Victory in 2021, before departing to play in Europe.
“I’ve been away from the league for a while now… so hopefully now that I’m back with Victory we just get back to winning ways.”
She wants to see her side’s success win them a spot in AWCL, which can only be done through winning the Premiers’ Plate.
“Trying to be the fittest and strongest team in the league is paramount,” said Beard.
Both players however, do have a shared concern regarding the lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Players Union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) who run the A-Leagues.
“We want a CBA deal done and we’ve put it out there for the APL to come to the table and we hope that we can start the season with a CBA,” said Stott.
Currently the players are happy to start the season with the CBA unsigned, especially with the Women’s World Cup happening next year, no one wants to lose any available playing time.
“It’s still in negotiations. The playing group have been in a really close relationship with the PFA leading into the season and I know they’re in constant communication with the APL to try and get terms agreed upon,” said Beard.
“The PFA are very thorough so they’ve definitely got plan A, B, C, W, Y, Z,” she said.
Female footballers in Australia do have a precedent of taking industrial action if it comes down to it. Back in 2015 the Matildas went on a two-month long strike to push for better pay and conditions, which was ultimately successful.
Both Stott and Beard are hopeful that the best possible outcome will be reached regarding the CBA through the PFA, however, contingency plans still look to be in place.
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Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman leads training last season. Image : Guardian.
With a new season fast approaching Wellington Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman has made it clear that there’s still room for improvement in her team after last year’s grand final defeat.
The Grand Final heartbreak has given the team more drive and determination ahead of season 26/27.
Pre season has looked positive at the Phoenix where the club secured top signings such as Milly Clegg, Abby Erceg, Kam Pickett, Indiah-Paige Riley and Matildas legend Tameka Yallop, all of whom add experience, depth, and versatility into the squad. These players will play key roles in Wellington’s season.
With new faces to the squad there’s more to fight for each week. “Everyone has come back with a point to prove,” Priestman stated when talking about the team.
“There is more of a competition to get that starting spot and everyone has become more hungry for that spot and to establish themselves more. Managing the squad will be harder with a large squad and with multiple players coming back throughout this season.”
Above: Wellington Phoenix in training during pre-season. Photo: Tayla O’Brien/Tayla’s Film.
Priestman has to carefully manage game time, player fitness, rotation and making sure players are kept fresh and ready. The start of the new season will be about finding that balance.
Injuries will make a massive impact with the match week one squad with Alyssa Whinham and Samba still recovering from their ACL injuries while CJ Bott is coming back after having her baby, and new signing Kam Pickett is also recovering from an injury. Milly Clegg is also a touch and go for after a quad injury but is progressing well. Other players are also being assessed with more clarity expected closer to the match.
At the start of pre-season, Priestman and the Phoenix went to a Marae for a team experience with the New Zealand Army, this camp was much more than fitness. This camp helped the players become more open and vulnerable to each other and made them learn about leadership and communication under pressure. “I saw things in people I didn’t know were there,” Priestman admitted.
The camp was important as the Phoenix head coach wants the players to enjoy themselves despite the pressure and expectations and doesn’t want the season to feel tight.
Priestman wants to make sure the team can express themselves and enjoy their football while also bringing the city on the journey with them again.
This season isn’t just about results ; it’s about representing the city and club positively.
“We will give everything we have to make the city proud.” Priestman emphasised.
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Above: The Matildas line up against GermanyOctober10. Image: Football Australia.
Germany 4-2 Australia
By Genevieve Henry (10/10/26).
The Matildas were outclassed by Germany Saturday morning at BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe, falling 4-2 in a high-scoring and defensively poor match.
After a MD-1 press conference where head coach Joe Montemurro said preparing for the 2027 World Cup did not mean putting out the best team, he chose a team reflecting the opposite sentiment. While they certainly did not perform like the best lineup, it included all the most experienced players, no surprises, and no players with much to learn about.
From kickoff, Australia’s stars got caught watching the game. They played with reluctance, hesitance, and a lack of belief.
Germany opened the scoring in the 24th minute off some beautiful build-up play. After slick passing from the midfield, Carlotta Wamser crossed the ball to Franziska Kett, who headed it across the face of goal. Mackenzie Arnold got a hand to the ball, but Melissa Kössler barreled it in to put Germany ahead. It was her first goal for her country.
Kössler doubled the score in the 30th minute with a belter on the break. It was Australia’s passing that let them down, in finally building momentum and throwing too many players up the field. Germany’s attack took advantage of their numbers and speed, but Kössler even beat the two defenders in the way.
Arnold should have done better on both goals. The defense looked lost and struggled to effectively clear the danger and communicate. The Matildas were sloppy; every bounce and stray ball went the way of Germany, who hustled and moved faster in all phases of play.
But there were rare periods when the Matildas looked competent, good, even. With quick passes often involving Ellie Carpenter or Sam Kerr, they found promising attacks. These forward moves caused issues in the first half; the second they lost the ball, Germany were on the break again.
It was Carpenter and Kerr who combined to pull one back in the final moments of the first half. Carpenter pulled off an incredible run and perfect cross to Kerr, who directed it in the back of the net with a world class finish.
While the first half finished only 2-1, it felt like 3-0. Kerr’s goal was crucial in the momentum of the game. The Matildas built into the match for a far more competitive second half.
Clare Wheeler had a shot that was tantalizingly close to an equalizer ten minutes into the second half. The tenacity of the Matildas made the game far more tense than in the first half as they searched for an equalizer.
Montemurro injected some fresh faces into the match after the 60th minute, bringing on Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Leticia McKenna, and Courtney Nevin for Kerr, Emily Van Egmond, Amy Sayer, and Steph Catley. Only Kerr made much of an impact on the field. Catley had some moments she would want to take back, especially in the lead-up to Germany’s opener.
The substitutes, particularly McNamara, contributed to Australia’s flowing chances. Siemsen got five minutes towards the end and Tori Tumeth made her Matildas debut.
While Australia’s forward motion was positive, they could not perfect the positioning. Too many players rushed up the field when on the attack, and none left behind were fast enough to deal with Germany’s many potent threats.
Camilla Küver put the nail in the coffin in the 83rd minute, heading in off a corner after a period of attacking momentum from Germany. While the score seemed hopeless, the Matildas weren’t done.
McNamara finally got her goal in the 90+2 minute. She was by far the most effective substitute, perhaps even the most effective player. Her speed and relentless running created problems for Germany. Unfortunately, her goal couldn’t inspire any late-game miracles.
In fact, it only invigorated the Germans. Sjoeke Nüsken wasted no time in restoring Germany’s two-goal lead, smashing the ball past Arnold to make the final score 4-2 in the 90+4 minute.
Friendlies are supposed to be learning opportunities. All we seemed to learn is that Australia’s most experienced players looked uninspired and lifeless against one of the best teams in the world. Only Kerr and Carpenter seemed to show up. Substitutes provided sparks of creativity and positive signs for the future.
This result would be easier to bear if not for the players involved. If Montemurro had utilized more of his squad and given newer players a chance to play at the level, the score wouldn’t matter. There are only four more international windows until the World Cup. If they continue like this, Australia will struggle to make the knockout rounds.
The Matildas take on Haiti next Wednesday 14 Oct, 6.00AM AEST.
Above: Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro speaks to the media at the MD-1 press conference. Image: Football Australia.
By Monica Clarke (9/10/26).
Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold spoke about the squad and World Cup preparations ahead of their Germany and Haiti matches in Europe in the upcoming week.
Australia are playing three teams of very different styles in the upcoming matches against Germany, Haiti and Colombia.
“We strategically started looking at our build up for the World Cup straight after the Asian Cup,” Montemurro said.
“In the next 4 games we’re gonna get a real tool box of ideas that we need to be exposed to and more importantly that we’ve seen before and we can use to make sure that we’re prepared in June,” Montemurro said.
Montemurro shared his excitement in bringing new players into the team in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup, not just starting players but players that can come on and hold a win and players that can be game changers off the bench. Hana Lowry, Tori Tumeth and Courtney Newbon are the new faces in camp.
“It’s great that we can, against one of the best teams in the world, trial those ideas and have a look at some players that potentially could be in our squad in June,” Montemurro said.
“We’ve noticed that the levels and the standards, especially from a technical perspective, have been very very important and very very high,” Montemurro said. “No one comes into camp not understanding that the standards for us from a technical, a physical and even a mental perspective has to be of a high standard. We’re only seeing positive things.”
“You’ve got a Dani Galić who’s going fantastic; Alana Murphy, she’s been brilliant at Forest; Hana Lowry at Vålerenga who’s really really come a long way,” Montemurro said. “They’re names which I want you to remember because I really do believe that they’re gonna be the next generation of midfielders. Look I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about the amount of midfielders, and talented midfielders that we have in Australia and I think that needs to be a starting point for us.”
Montemurro said Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Clare Hunt and Katrina Gorry missing the international camp brought about the opportunity for these fresher faces to get experience.
“Part of the process of building for June isn’t just putting our best team out there and playing all the time,” Montemurro said. “It’s also about the mental freshness, it’s also about the approach from a strategic scenario to understand that they need to juggle their clubs also. For us it’s all been positive in terms of our squad.”
Mackenzie Arnold is the most experienced goalkeeper in the squad by a mile, without keepers like Lydia Williams and Teagan Micah who have been alongside her in the past.
“Chloe’s (Lincoln) been absolutely unreal, the way she’s come in and the way she’s developed already as well,” Arnold said. “She’s honestly gone from strength to strength in such a short time so it’s been really cool to see. Even Courtney coming in, we’ve only had a couple of sessions but from what I’ve seen she’s a really good goalkeeper so it’s really exciting and I think a really good opportunity for the young ones coming through. It’s nice to see their growth and their potential as well.”
“I wouldn’t say we really take any game as a friendly to be honest,” Arnold said. “I think every game is really important, especially around this time leading into the World Cup. Germany is a top side and same with Haiti.”
Arnold states some of the expectations the team has, as well as expectations she has as a goalkeeper: “They’re a very aggressive team, they’re a high pressing team, as a goalkeeper I’m definitely gonna have a lot more of the ball with my feet. Everyone knows what a high quality team they are and I think it’s going to be very good and very important for us to come up against a team like that.”
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Above: Marissa Sheva (right, hugging #21) and Denise O’Sullivan (#10) will be sorely missed from the Republic of Ireland’s starting midfield tomorrow against Kazakhstan, but who may be the ones to replace them? Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.
This window sees the beginning of an important what will hopefully be quartet of matches for the Republic of Ireland to round out 2026 and the team’s quest to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.
That quest begins tomorrow in the Kazakh capital Astana as the Girls in Green set to do battle with world number 100 Kazakhstan in a two leg tie in round one of UEFA’s World Cup playoffs.
These kind of potentially lopsided ties – the Irish are 21st in the world rankings and are unlikely to be troubled by the Kazakhs – do not normally lend themselves to many intriguing questions in the build up as the result is much easier to predict than other matches.
However, the Irish do have one area of intrigue for fans heading into particularly tomorrow’s match – how will manager Carla Ward fill the gaps in her starting line up left by missing key stars, particularly in the midfield.
What is the problem facing Carla Ward?
Of the big names missing from the Republic of Ireland squad for this first match of the tie, the highest number of them are midfielders.
Above: Carla Ward does certainly have an annoying headache on her hands ahead of match one of the Republic of Ireland’s playoff tie with Kazakhstan. Credit: Ireland Football.
Marissa Sheva and Denise O’Sullivan are both core members of the starting line up for the Girls in Green these days under Ward. However, Sheva will be missing this first leg due to suspension and O’Sullivan did not travel to Astana for reasons of player welfare.
This means that there is two spots to fill in what is normally a three person midfield in the starting line up, with those incoming likely to team up in front of Megan Connolly who is expected to play her usual defensive midfield role.
What would have likely been will not be
Recent history would have suggested that Jess Ziu would have been one of the ones to fill one of those available spots in the starting line up as she has been the one that Ward has regularly gone to as an impact substitution off the bench.
However, just in the last 24 hours or so the Leicester City star has been ruled out of at least leg one with injury, and may also be ruled out of the return leg in Cork next week, so this means that it will not be her that starts tomorrow afternoon.
Is a Burnley star the key to replacing O’Sullivan?
O’Sullivan is the kind of player that is nye on impossible to fully replace. Her leadership and experience combined with the way she plays the game and the impact she has on those around her means that when she is not in the side it is quite noticeable.
However, there is one player in the Irish squad for this window that may be able to play a similar role to the legendary Leesider.
Tyler Toland has had a rocky few years in terms of establishing a settled place in Irish squads and getting minutes on the field at international level, but likes to play football in much the same way as O’Sullivan.
Both players are tough, no nonsense players who are not afraid to break open the midfield in their team’s favour, and with the way that proceedings become much easier with that type of player on the pitch, that could work in Toland’s favour.
Would Ward really include an uncapped player in the starting line up?
Among the midfielders in the Irish squad for this window are a pair of uncapped players – Watford’s Aoibheann Clancy and Shanade Hopcroft from Crystal Palace.
Both players are worthy of their places in the squad, but putting an uncapped player into your starting line up is unheard of these days, so it is unlikely that the spots will be filled by either of them.
However if game one goes to plan or is going swimmingly by perhaps halfway through the second half, there is no reason to rule out either of them getting some minutes off the bench.
What about Jamie Finn and Lucy Quinn?
All of this leaves two more potential options – Jamie Finn and Lucy Quinn.
Finn has been getting some solid minutes for her club side Burnley in the first part of the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) season – playing just about every minute possible thus far – but she has not got any minutes at international level this year despite being in the game day squad for every game.
However this is the first window since the beginning of the current WSL2 season so that previous history at international level may prove to not be a precedent after all.
Quinn meanwhile has also been getting good minutes for Sheffield United – officially only one more than Finn – but when it comes to international level she does not play a midfield role despite being officially listed as a midfield on squad announcements from the FAI. She normally plays as an outside wing alongside players like Kyra Carusa and Emily Murphy, but with those two and the likes of Abbie Larkin having a firm grip on the starting positions in the front line, perhaps a position change to a central attacking midfielder behind Carusa could a role for Quinn to fill.
Above: Shanade Hopcroft (front) may be in her first international camp with the Republic of Ireland, but is her first cap less than 24 hours away? Credit: Ireland Football.
In conclusion…
There are plenty of potential answers, and not a lot of time left to find out which way Ward will go. Ward has kept her cards very close to her chest, so only time will tell what decision she will end up making.
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Above:Hana Lowry talks to the media ahead of the forthcoming international window with the Matildas. Image: Football Australia.
Hana Lowry and Charli Grant outlined today how their moves to Scandinavian football were vital in their call-up to the Matildas camp for the forthcoming games against Germany and Haiti matches.
Lowry is attending her first Matildas camp after an ACL tear forced her to miss her first call-up in November 2024. Grant returns to camp after a knee injury and a lack of minutes that has had her out of the international squad since the end of 2025.
Western Australian Lowry emphasised how her move to Vålerenga in April, has been a positive all round.
“It’s been great so far, the team’s been so welcoming for me, all the staff and everyone and really enjoy living in Oslo,” she said.
The 23-year-old also shared how her experiences at the Toppserien club have prepared her for coming into The Matildas national team set up for the first time.
“I think it’s prepared me really well, the professionalism at the club is really top and the level of the football being played and in training and everything, it’s super competitive.”
“It’s set me up really well, I feel really well supported at the club. So coming in here, they were all very happy for me.”
As one of the new additions to the national team, the midfielder revealed what the first training session was like: “It was nice, obviously the nerves were there but it was good to get the first one done. It was a good session, just getting some touches on the ball again. Just seeing the level of the training was really cool.”
This is not the first time Lowry has been called up to join the Australian national team, however back in November 2024 when the Perth native received her first call-up, she tore her ACL just one day before she was supposed to enter the international camp.
The former Perth Glory and Sydney FC star reflected on what that experience was like.
“Obviously it was tough, no footballer wants to do their ACL so that was really tough news to take and then the timing of it being the day before going into camp, that was difficult. Mentally you go from such a big high to such a big low really quickly.”
Lowry describes this current moment of being re-called into the national team as the moment that has motivated her: “I think it was probably the biggest motivation for me through my rehab was hoping to get another chance here.”
Above: Charli Grant is in strong form with Malmö and back in the Matildas squad after a year. Image: Football Australia.
Also back in the saddle with the Matildas is Charli Grant. Fresh from a series of impressive performances with Malmö FF, the defender Grant discussed the significance of this move after she struggled with a lack of minutes at her previous club Tottenham Hotspur.
“It’s been definitely a great preparation for coming back in the Matildas environment, just getting the minutes I’ve needed for a very long time has been great preparation for me coming back in here, just to be confident, to know that I’m back playing ready to give my all to the team.”
The two games over the next week is part of the Matildas’ preparations for next year’s World Cup, and the 25-year-old believes that Germany and Haiti’s differing challenges are an important test.
“Of course every camp leading up to the World Cup is important, we don’t get a huge amount of time together. We just try and make the most of every opportunity we can.”
In terms of what she needs to do in order to ensure she re-establishes herself as a Matildas regular, Grant revealed that, for her it’s all about “Focusing on what I can improve on in each game that I play in my clubland and when I get here into this national team environment, it’s using the staff around me to see what I do need to develop, how I can contribute to the team more and just a lot of reevaluation after each week.”
A knee injury and a lack of minutes at her previous club Tottenham Hotspur has contributed to her lack of appearances in the national team and at the Asian Cup back in March.
“It was very unfortunate timing of my knee injury, but at the same time I felt fortunate to have not been a worse injury, at the time I thought it was.
“I thought that I might be able to come back in time for the Asian Cup but with no minutes, I wouldn’t have been able to give what I wanted to the team. That was really disappointing cause it would have been amazing to be at another home tournament, but I was definitely the biggest supporter.”
“It was a very difficult time, I didn’t actually get a return to play at Tottenham, so my first game was just when I moved to Malmö. I’m just really happy to be playing again and to be back with the girls now.”
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Above: Perth Glory central defender Mischa Anderson looks ahead to the forthcoming A-League Women season. Image: Perth Glory.
Positivity is high in the Perth Glory camp as they prepare for their final pre-season outing ahead of the A-League Women’s big kick-off in 10 days time.
The Western Australian side go into the new campaign with four new signings – Ella Buchanan, Maggie Jenkins, and locally produced Junior Matilda Sakura Leong joined by Baxter Thew who returns home from Central Coast Mariners.
Additionally, another trio of teen starlets Theodora Mouithys, Daisy McGreadie-Cole and Hayley Muir have come in under YDA contracts.
Head coach Stephen Peters and defender Mischa Anderson emphasised the benefit of having 14 of last season’s squad return – with the experience of Izzy Dalton, Susan Phonsongkham, and Megan Wynne vital, alongside another season in goal for the hugely impressive Theresa Morrisey.
“I’m very happy. It’s great to come in with so many familiar faces, so we’ve picked up where we left off in many ways, and the new additions have been really good, adding some quality for us,” Peters said.
Anderson added: “Keeping our returning players has been a positive, and slotting in the new arrivals and giving them our identity and an idea of the way we want to play is what we’ve been (focusing on).
“Our pre-season has been super smooth as we’ve retained lots of girls, and they know how to play well together, and that’s a positive we have got.”
However, on the negative side of the ledger, the Glory have lost a number of key players from last season, with the likes of Naomi Chinnama, Sarah O’Donoghue, Nat Tatham, Tijan McKenna, and Grace Johnston all moving to pastures new. Those are big holes to fill, but Peters believes he has the players at his disposal to do so.
“The new additions have added quality. We’re in a better position than we have been in terms of people being able to step into those roles (when players are injured) which we saw at the back end of last season with a couple of key personnel out.”
In terms of preparation, Peters has faced the eternal conundrum of how to integrate players with differing loads into pre-season training with some coming off the back of a full NPLW season, and others not having played since the end of the previous A-League Women season.
“The ones who have played NPL and have not brought an injury in have brought a good chronic loading, so you can pick up where they have left off in that sense, which is great. The other ones (who have not played NPL), you have to build them up more slowly, and be more careful with them, but we have fantastic medical staff that do that for us.”
Above: Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters reflects on how pre-season has gone so far. Image: Perth Glory.
Looking ahead more widely to the battles to come, Anderson, who has played her NPLW football in Victoria with Heidelberg United during the off season, believes it will be from that state where the biggest challenge will come from in 2026/27 as she was asked to name her would-be champions.
“Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory. They both have great set ups and facilities. They have brought in some great recruits so I am expecting them to be up the top…and Perth Glory! There’s been a lot of movement around the league, so I think it will be a tight race around the top.”
In order for the Glory to make Finals for the first time in eight seasons, the keys will be a laser like focus on a game plan that takes into account opponents specific strengths, and improving on their ability to score goals.
Last season, the club managed just 20, with only the bottom two clubs Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC scoring fewer goals as the Western Australian side fell four points short of the top six.
Peters believes that the situation will improve this time round.
“The signs are good, so far in training and in the practice matches that we’ve had. I think we’ve found a good combination there. It’s important that players don’t think about that (scoring record) too much and just back themselves and express themselves as they do in training and the goals will come, definitely.”
The Glory go into the final pre-season game this weekend against a Western Australian State XI who won the fixture between the two sides last season.
Anderson recognises that the game is a unique challenge against a group of talented players with everything to prove and nothing to lose.
“We can’t take the state team lightly, they have got lots of ex (Perth Glory) players, and lots of players who want to prove themselves against us.”
The Glory head coach knows what to expect, but also emphasised the fact that the game is a last chance to formulate his starting line-up for the season opener against Newcastle Jets on 17th October.
“I’ve watched a lot of NPL, and by all accounts they have got quite a good side, an experienced side, but we’re pretty keen to put that result from last season to rights.”
“You want to give the players who you think have an opportunity to be earmarked for Round One an opportunity to be out there together, but equally you want to give everyone to have an opportunity to be selected for Round One, so it’s a bit of a balancing act.”
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Above: Ellie Carpenter defends against Mexico in June. Image: Genevieve Henry for Impetus Football.
Chelsea defender Ellie Carpenter has started her second Barclays Women’s Super League season with a bang.
Technically, she is still playing her preferred position at right back. However, Carpenter has increasingly resembled a winger for the Blues.
At Chelsea, that attacking freedom is paying off. The question for the Matildas is whether Carpenter’s comfort in the final third could translate to the international stage.
Formation
Australia almost exclusively plays with four defenders. Whether the back four features Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Wini Heatley, Steph Catley or another combination of the Matildas’ newly deep defensive pool, only one is guaranteed: Carpenter at right back.
If Carpenter is fit, she starts.
Chelsea have given her more freedom to push forward, particularly when playing with three center backs or a back four that allows her to advance alongside veteran right back Lucy Bronze. With Bronze providing defensive cover, Carpenter can spend large portions of matches higher up the pitch.
Australia does not have another player with quite the same combination of Bronze’s experience and defensive reliability to provide that same safety net.
That does not mean Carpenter cannot be given more attacking freedom with the Matildas. If she were to move permanently higher up the pitch, Charli Grant and Charlie Rule could provide options at right back. Tori Tumeth, who just received her first Matildas call-up, could also factor into the equation.
Australia could use a back five when giving Carpenter greater attacking license. That would allow her to push forward while maintaining defensive cover and could give the left back similar freedom on the opposite side.
It’s not as if Carpenter has been playing as a stationary right back for her career with Australia. She is already high up the field frequently for the Matildas.
One of the Matildas’ most effective and common ways of progressing the ball has been Carpenter exchanging one-twos with the right winger. For years, Hayley Raso was her partner on the right.
Mary Fowler has occupied that right-wing role recently. The partnership has worked just as well. Despite the change in personnel, Carpenter has continued to find ways to combine with the winger and advance the ball.
Defensive Cost
Carpenter is one of the best defensive wingbacks in the game.
Her positioning is elite, and her decision-making is excellent. She knows when to challenge and when to delay. Her pace makes her exceptionally difficult to beat. These qualities have made her a fixture in the national team for more than a decade.
Giving Carpenter a more advanced role would come with a cost. If she were to focus more on attack, the absence of her defensive responsibilities would leave the Matildas more vulnerable. Situational flexibility in Carpenter’s role is extremely valuable at both the domestic and international level.
Against stronger attacking opponents, it would be difficult to justify moving Carpenter away from right back. Against teams sitting in a low block, there is less reason to keep her in defense. This could mean moving to the midfield or simply letting her loose.
Attacking Benefits
Carpenter has never been known for her goal contributions. Even at Chelsea, where her attacking impact has increased, there is still room for growth in her finishing and crossing.
But her greatest attacking weapons are not her crossing or finishing; they are her speed and tenacity.
Carpenter’s work rate exhausts opponents. Whether she spends 90 minutes or only a portion of the game in advanced areas, her ability to run relentlessly at opponents tires defenders and creates space for the attackers around her.
Her positioning and delivery have also improved during her time at Chelsea. Carpenter is getting into better positions, finding herself around the box more frequently and creating chaos even when she is not the player who ultimately finishes the move.
Despite playing under Sonia Bompastor at both Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais, Carpenter’s attacking production has increased significantly at Chelsea. She scored three goals across five seasons with Lyon. She has already matched that total in her first two seasons with Chelsea, scoring three times for the Blues.
For Australia, she has five goals in 101 appearances.
The numbers are not those of a traditional attacking player, but it’s positive for a defender of Carpenter’s experience to still have room to grow. Carpenter is adding another dimension to her game and her attacking skillset is consistently growing.
Looking Ahead
The Matildas have no shortage of attacking talent, both experienced and emerging.
But Australia is entering a transitional period. The front line that led the team for years, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Raso, is aging. If they start at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, it would surely be their last. Many fans are hoping the tournament will give younger players the opportunity to carry the team.
Players like Fowler, Amy Sayer and Holly McNamara are some of the next generation of Australia’s attack. Despite lots of burgeoning attacking talent, the Matildas have yet to find a combination with the same cohesion that made Foord, Kerr and Raso so prolific.
Carpenter will help bridge the transition. The 26-year old already has over 100 caps and often wears the captain’s armband. Wherever she is on the pitch, her leadership will be vital in shifting to the next era of the Matildas.
Moving her into the attack would sacrifice too much of what makes her valuable. But pushing her higher in specific matches could provide Australia with another way to break down opponents, especially against the typical low block of Asian teams. At the World Cup, they’ll face less opponents like this.
The Matildas do not need Carpenter to become an all-out winger, but they should take even more advantage of the fact that she plays like one.
Carpenter’s attacking development gives Australia another outlet when goals are hard to find. Her versatility makes her such a valuable player.
As Australia looks forward to an era of change, Carpenter will continue to lead the charge and her unpredictability will be one of the Matildas’ biggest weapons.
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