With almost a month to go until the start of the A-League Women season, teams are still building their squads. Impetus’ Ben Gilby hears from new arrivals Julia Grosso, Georgie Worth, and Vesna Milivojevic plus the head coaches of each of the teams concerned (18/10/22).
Above: Melbourne City’s new signing Julia Grosso. Graphic: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City announced the signing today of American winger Julia Grosso for the 2022/23 A-League Women’s season.
Also capable of playing as a full-back, the 23-year-old joins City directly from the US college system where she attended the University of Kentucky for five years. Grosso was a key member of the Wildcats line-up last season starting every match, while she’s also been captain of the team for the past two seasons.
She becomes the 17th confirmed member of City’s squad for the upcoming season as Head Coach Rado Vidosic gets close to finalising his 2022/23 playing group.
Vidosic said Grosso’s signing adds further depth and versatility to the squad ahead of the new season.
“We’re excited to bring Julia to the club for what will be her first season as a professional,” he said. “It will be a new experience for her after years in the US college system, but we’re excited to work with her and help her reach the potential we can see she has.”
Grosso explained how excited she was by the opportunity in Melbourne and looking forward to getting to work.
“I wanted to join a club that is competitive, passionate, and dedicated to football,” Grosso said. “I have known of Melbourne City for a few years now and I am thrilled to be able to say that I’m a part of such an excellent club that strives for greatness.
“I know this team is capable of winning the double this year and I’m so excited to be a part of that journey, especially in my first professional season.”
Current 2022/23 City ALW Squad: Melissa BARBIERI, Chelsea BLISSETT, Emma CHECKER, Naomi CHINNAMA, Leah DAVIDSON, Julia GROSSO, Bryleeh HENRY, Sally JAMES, Caitlin KARIC, Darcey MALONE, Leticia McKENNA, Holly McNAMARA*, Rhianna POLLICINA, Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Kaitlyn TORPEY, Tori TUMETH*, Hannah WILKINSON.
* = Currently sidelined with injury.
Newcastle Jets have added goalkeeper Georgina Worth to their squad for the coming A-League Women’s season.
Worth joins the club from Brisbane Roar where she made her A-League debut against the Jets in 2017.
Coach Ash Wilson is happy to welcome Worth to the club. “Georgina is someone who has great presence in goal, experience playing at this level, and has a strong desire to have success in Newcastle. She is someone who will continue to create a challenging and supportive environment in that role and it’s important for me to have two quality keepers that will push each other to get the best out of themselves and the team.
“Her ability to deal with high balls, shot stopping, and passing range are some of her technical qualities but she also communicates well and is driven to contribute to the goals, culture, and ultimate success we are aiming for this season and I’m looking forward to her being a Jet.”
Worth herself cannot wait to begin the new season at the Newcastle Jets. “I’m very excited to have signed. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the club and everyone involved. The vision that Ash and the organisation have for the team really drew me to the club and I’m motivated to make a positive contribution both on and off the pitch. It’s shaping up to be a competitive season and I can’t wait to get started.”
Canberra United have agreed terms to sign exciting Serbian international midfielder Vesna Milivojevic for the forthcoming 2022/2023 Liberty A-League season.
Milivojevic made five appearances for Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2019/2020 season, making her much-publicised debut in a 2-1 win over Adelaide United, before heading overseas to pursue her football career in Serbia.
Capped nine times by Serbia, Milivojevic has represented her country in FIFA World Cup Qualification matches and scored her maiden international goal in a 4-1 away win over Bulgaria in November 2021.
“I am delighted to be returning to Australia and the Liberty A-League and signing for Canberra United for the upcoming season,” Milivojevic said.
“Having played for Western Sydney Wanderers against Canberra United, I have first-hand experience of them as a football side and have enjoyed playing against them and in front of their hugely enthusiastic fan base. I want to thank Njegosh Popovich and Canberra United for giving me the opportunity and I am looking forward to starting.”
After enjoying a short stint with German outfit BV Borussia Bocholt, Milivojevic returned to Serbia to re-join her first international club, ZFK Spartak Subotica where she was part of the squad that played two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.
“I remember Vesna when she was a player for the NSW institute, she was on our long list for the Jnr Matildas, a player with brilliant passing range, carries the ball effortlessly, and has the priceless ability of being able to break the lines, important for a midfielder,” United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich commented.
“She has international experience in Europe with Serbia and has played in some big matches in her short career this only adds to her already impressive playing ability.
“A previous Player of the year in the NSW/NPL Vesna will bring extra authority to our midfield and having started her career in the Liberty A-League, should settle in very quickly. I am certain our supporters will enjoy watching her play and I welcome her to the club.”
Canberra United’s 2022/2023 Liberty A-League season begins on Saturday 19 November with a home match against Perth Glory at McKellar Park.
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