Three clubs have announced signings today, and Impetus has all the details for you (1/9/23).
Above: Sharn Freier who is back for another season at Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar have welcomed back versatile attacker Sharn Freier for the upcoming A-League Women season on a multi-year deal.
Freier signed her first professional contract ahead of the 2020/21 season where she made nine appearances, including three starts for the club and scoring her first professional goal in a 6-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
The 22-year-old missed the 2021/22 season due to rehabilitating from an ACL injury, before bouncing back last season playing 16 matches, scoring a goal, and providing two assists.
The attacker is looking forward to playing at home in Brisbane for another season to keep pushing and continue her player development.
“Since being at the Roar, I feel as though my confidence is building. However, I still have so many more things to work on in my game and I have no doubt with the players around me, I’ll be pushed to make sure that I’m reaching my full potential,” Freier said.
“There are a few new faces this season so I’m looking forward to starting training with the girls and getting to know everyone. As a team I think it’s important to keep building each season, but the goal is to definitely make finals and keep improving.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson describes the young forward as “an excitement machine in the final third”.
“She is the type of attacker who brings fans to the edge of their seats when she gets the ball isolated against a defender,” McPherson said.
“She is an important part of the club’s success moving forward and will create a legacy under her number. I cannot wait to see her back in with the team and having fun on the field with her teammates.”
Newcastle Jets
Gema Simon, a member of Newcastle Jets’ inaugural squad in 2008 has returned to the club after spending last season at Melbourne Victory.
The left-back has made a total of 130 appearances for the Jets captaining the club 73 times, scoring eight goals since making her debut back in 2008 against Canberra United which was the first competitive match for the Women’s side. Simon is an inaugural member of the Jets W-League squad for the 2008/2009 season.
Simon also has 11 appearances for the Matildas and was a member of the Matildas 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup which was played in France.
The prospect of a homecoming is something that fills Simon with pride. “I’m coming home for what will be my 14th season with the club. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity return where I started this journey 16 years ago.”
Western United
Philippines World Cup star Jaclyn Sawicki has signed on for a second A-League Women season with Western United.
Sawicki started in all three of the Philippines’ matches at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing a significant role in an historic tournament for her country.
That campaign followed her first in the Liberty A-League, one where she made 14 appearances and led United to the Grand Final as the team’s inaugural captain.
After completing her extension, Sawicki said she is delighted to confirm her future with the Green and Black and is buoyed by how the team is looking heading into the new campaign.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be part of another season with Western United,” she said.
“Given the results from our first season, we are naturally going to set high expectations for ourselves going into season two and I think the girls are going to come in determined to push for even more. It looks like we have added some great additions to our side so I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do as a collective for this Club this year.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said securing Sawicki for another season would continue to promote United’s growth on and off the pitch.
“Jackie has been a major part in setting the standards of our women’s program and after her success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are delighted to have extended her contract for another season,” he said.
Sawicki rounds out a stacked midfield contingent at Western United featuring Matildas superstar Chloe Logarzo, Adriana and Melissa Taranto and Emma Robers.
Her big game experience at the World Cup and from top leagues in Sweden, Japan and Canada will continue to drive United’s development this season.
While injury interrupted the beginning of Sawicki’s season last term, she became a key performer in midfield and will hope for a clean bill of health and a similar run of performances in 2023/24.
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