As five clubs announce a total of ten new players, and Melbourne Victory revealing their new home venue for the campaign, Impetus brings you up to date with all the details (31/8/23).
Above: Shea Connors, who has been announced as a new arrival at Sydney FC today, pictured during her time with Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
A-League Women Champions and Premiers Sydney FC has boosted its attacking stocks with the signing of striker Shea Connors and attacking midfielder Zara Kruger for the 2023-24 season.
Connors joins from NWSL club San Diego Wave where she replaced United States international striker Alex Morgan during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 27-year old earned the Brisbane Roar’s Player of the Year Award and Golden Boot last season in the A-League Women’s competition, with six goals and two assists from 18 games. She has also scored 78 goals in three seasons in the Queensland NPLW.
17-year old Kruger also spent last season with the Roar playing 10 games in the Liberty A-League and is a regular member of the Young Matildas.
Both players will be available for the opening game against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday 14th October at Allianz Stadium.
Head Coach Ante Juric says Sky Blue fans are in for a treat with these new signings. “Shea and Zara will add flair and excitement to our attack this season and it’s something for our Members to look forward to. Shea is a natural goal-scorer with pace and a real eye for goal. She is a great fit for our front line. Zara is a young and energetic attacking midfielder who will flourish in our environment.”
Connors said she was excited to be joining the Champions and Premiers. “It’s a great season to be joining Sydney FC with the record numbers of Members and I’m keen to play in Sydney at a time when there’s so much hype for women’s football after the World Cup.
“I can see that we’ve a really strong squad already and I’m keen to help the girls defend the titles.”
Kruger believes the move to Sydney FC can help her career. “Sydney FC has a proven track record of helping young players improve and move forward with their development.
“I’m excited to be joining this Championship winning squad and working with an excellent group of players and coaching staff.”
Adelaide United
Adelaide United have confirmed that three key players, Emily Hodgson, Emilia Murray, and Katie Bowler, have re-signed ahead of the A-League Women season.
Hodgson has steadily risen to second spot on United’s all-time appearances list, with 81 matches played since her debut in the 2016/17 season as a 16-year-old. The full-back played 15 games, starting 11 in 2022/23, returning tireless shifts up and down the right flank.
Hodgson has long been a key player for West Adelaide in the NPLW SA, leading them to the League and Cup double in 2022. Now entering her eighth season of the Liberty A-League, Hodgson is Adelaide through and through.
“I’ve never really thought about joining another team and Adelaide just ticks all the boxes for me as my home Club,” Hodgson said. “I love the group and what Adrian (Stenta) brings to the table and the environment he creates.
“It’s an honour to step out onto the field each time in the red shirt, and I would love nothing more than to help bring United our first Championship.”
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, added: “Emily embodies what United is all about – she works hard for us in that fullback position or wherever we may need her on the day, with a never-say-die attitude.
“We pride ourselves on our local talent and Emily has always exemplified this and added to our culture admirably. She is an important player for us, and we’re looking forward to another strong season from Emily.”
Murray, 18, burst onto the scene in Round Two of the 2021/22 season against Canberra United after dominating with Football SA NTC where she scored nine goals in 11 matches prior to joining the Reds.
The forward has moved from strength to strength since, memorably scoring her first A-League goal which was a dramatic late winner against Sydney FC in Round One last season.
Murray has also won National recognition, earning captaincy of the Young Matildas during their 2022 Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament in Canberra and Queanbeyan, and most recently selection in their 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Bowler, 20, meanwhile had a breakout campaign in 2022/23, making her debut in the first game of the season against Sydney FC as a substitute, but ending the season with the biggest impact.
The attacker scored two and assisted one in her 13 appearances, including a memorable first goat at Coopers Stadium in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets in March. She was scouted by the Reds from Adelaide City in 2022, after scoring 10 goals in 16 appearances in the Go Sunny Solar Women’s NPL.
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, highlighted the importance of the signings. “Emilia and Katie are two upcoming talents that would do anything for this Club and their commitment is crucial for us going forward as a collective into the new season.
“The signing of players like Emilia and Katie reinforces our commitment to providing opportunities for talented SA players to shine on the national stage.
“Emilia and Katie are young players brimming with talent and newfound confidence, and the way the pair finished the season should have fans extremely excited for the next one.
“We are looking forward to the further growth of these players, and their contribution towards a successful A-League season.”
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar today confirmed that both Holly McQueen and Kijah Stephenson have signed new deals at the club to keep them in Queensland.
McQueen has penned a new one-year contract. Having signed for the Roar ahead of the 2021 campaign, McQueen was, unfortunately, unable to play for the side in that season due to an ACL injury.
After working through her rehabilitation program, McQueen bounced back and played eight games in the 2022/23 A-League Women season as she worked to keep improving and developing as a player.
“Being a Brissy girl, it’s always special playing for the Brisbane Roar at home. Roar were a massive part in my return to play from my ACL injury and have helped improve myself on and off the pitch,” McQueen said. “I can’t wait to get out there with the girls and secure a finals spot!”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson was proud of the way McQueen navigated her return from long-term injury and anticipates an exciting season ahead for the defender.
“She is one of our most promising centre backs and her winning mentality has been key to get her back to where she is now. From the time we put her into the game in Wellington last year, she has shown that she has the potential to thrive at an A-League level,” McPherson said.
“She has a bright future in front of her and knowing her determination, will be ready to fire in the 23-24 season,” he added.
Kijah Stephenson has signed a multi-year deal after originally joining the club last season on the back of an accomplished run of form in the local competitions.
After spending time at the QAS, she burst onto the NPL stage because of her impressive performances in local competitions, most recently playing for Brisbane City where she spent two seasons before joining the Roar.
Stephenson looks forward to putting the orange on again after injury setbacks saw her out of action for the majority of last season. She suffered a quad tear for 10 weeks, played six matches, and then tore ligaments in her ankle at the end of the season.
“I’m super excited to be re-signing with the Roar for the upcoming 2023/24 season. Apart from a few injury setbacks, I had a very enjoyable season previously surrounded with a great bunch of people,” she said.
“I think being part of such a professional environment not only have I developed as a player but also as a person. Being part of a team where you spend nearly every day with each other, there’s endless opportunities to learn new things.”
“I’m looking forward to being part of something exciting. I think for me, a big goal is to enjoy it, give it my all and hopefully as a team get the results we deserve.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson looks forward to having Stephenson back for the next couple of years to see how the young midfielder can keep progressing.
“I am really proud of where she is at, and I am confident the path she has taken to get here has set her up for success. She can do things on the ball during games and trainings that leave staff and players in awe and the fact we are about to share this with our fans, the Australian football community, is exciting,” McPherson said.
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory today announced that it will play all its stand-alone Melbourne-based A-League Women matches at The Home of The Matildas, opening the gates to the facility with free entry.
The new state-of-the-art facility for women, built at La Trobe University at Bundoora, will host Melbourne Victory’s non-double header fixtures and will also be the A-League Women’s new training base.
The agreement will see elite domestic football run alongside year-round community football at The Home of The Matildas.
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie said it was an incredible opportunity for the Club’s Women’s program to be playing out of the country’s brand-new and only national football facility.
“We’re incredibly excited to be hosting our stand-alone A-League Women fixtures at The Home of The Matildas for the upcoming season. This is the first step for Melbourne Victory towards cementing the right future for our women’s program,” Carnegie said.
“The whole of Australia has seen the role women’s football can play in inspiring the next generation of both girls and boys and as a Club, we want to remove all barriers to access, support, and grow our women’s games this season. In return, we ask fans to show up, attend our games and ensure and that our A-League Women’s team has the support of the masses to help elevate them to the next level.
“Training and playing at The Home of The Matildas presents us with a win-win scenario by exposing our women’s team to the country’s best environment and also giving football fans unrivalled access to support the women’s professional game. The facility is a world class venue
The first match to be hosted at The Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University will be on Sunday 15th October, against Brisbane Roar.
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets today unveiled the signing of Switzerland international defender Lorena Baumann for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season.
Baumann joins the Jets with an impressive CV. The 26 year old fullback has previously played for top tier Swiss teams FC Zürich Frauen, FC Neunkirch, FC St Gallen, Throttur Reykjavik in Iceland, and SF Damaiense in Portugal.
Baumann has also represented Switzerland at U17 and U19 level before making her full senior international debut in 2019.
Across her career, Baumann has won six Swiss Championship titles along with five Swiss Cup titles while also featuring regularly in the UEFA Women’s Champions League competition.
Baumann spoke of her feelings on joining the Jets this season. “I’m very excited to sign with Newcastle for the upcoming season. I have always wanted to play in Australia and I’m happy to be here.
I can’t wait to get started with my new teammates and have a really successful season with Gary and the team.”
Western United
Western United have revealed that full-backs Julia Sardo and Tyla Jay Vlajnic have re-signed ahead of the Club’s second season.
Despite Angie Beard completing a permanent transfer to Swedish giant Linkӧping FC this week, United will be well covered with Sardo and Vlajnic joining Stacey Papadopoulos in returning to the side.
Sardo made 11 appearances for United last season, including six starts at right-back, while Vlajnic was a constant in Mark Torcaso’s inaugural team, playing 18 times.
Ahead of their return to pre-season training, both players said they are committed to the Club’s search for further success in the Liberty A-League.
“I am very motivated to build on the success from last season. There is still plenty of room for improvement but if we can keep that team culture and spirit high, then I have no doubt we can make it to the finals again,” Sardo said.
Vlajnic added: “I can’t wait for the upcoming season. I think last year we set an amazing foundation both on and off the field and showed the league what we’re capable of. This year we will build on that and go one better.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said the experience and quality that Sardo and Vlajnic possess will continue to be integral to the side.
“We are delighted to have Julia and TJ continue with us next season. Both players know this competition extremely well and will continue to play important roles for our team on and off the pitch,” he said.
“Our defensive group is shaping up to be very strong with a mixture of top young talents and highly experienced players across a high-class group of players.”
After arriving from Melbourne City, Vlajnic would ultimately have a large impact further forward for United last season, moving up from left back to play a number of games on the left wing, scoring three goals.
Sardo joined with experience at City and Perth Glory and excelled in the back half of the season, featuring in each of the last five regular season matches and also coming off the bench in the semi-final win over Sydney FC.
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