Above: Celebrations after Jess McDonald’s historic goal for Western United. Photo: Western United.
Western United have arrived in the A-League Women. The competition’s newest side defeated the reigning champions Melbourne Victory 1-0 in front of over 2,500 fans at City Vista.
The match was an important one for both dedicated fans and neutrals. Chloe Logarzo was named in the squad for Western United, while Elise Kellond-Knight lined up for the visitors.
The two Matildas returned to the field and the Australian topflight after both recovered from long-term injuries.
But this match about was more than just two players. This was a meeting between two teams looking to start the season off with a win, and the first local derby for the well-supported Victorian clubs.
Conditions were windy. Any ball in the air had the potential for either chaos or waste. Although the rain cleared and both teams had attacking talent to spare, chances were hard to come by.
Above: The Western Core, the A-League Women’s newest Active Support Group had plenty to make noise about at City Vista. Photo: Western United.
Melina Ayres looked the most dangerous in Victory’s first half. A half volley and another shot soon after was well-struck but marginally off target.
Up the other end, Hannah Keane was a hard-working threat to Victory’s defence. The American striker weaved her way into the box from the left but elected to cross to compatriot Jess McDonald instead of taking on the shot herself.
The Western United number nine had two more attempts in the first half. A volley on the turn whistled over the crossbar, then after benefiting from a turnover, she had another effort skim just wide of the bottom corner.
New Victory full-back Jessika Nash impressed Victory fans whenever she drove forward with the ball. The Young Matilda combined with Catherine Zimmerman to play in Tiffany Eliadis, but Hillary Beall was off her line quickly to snuff out the danger.
When the goal came, it was suitably through one of the big-name recruits. A Western United attack forced a close-range save from Casey Dumont, but the ball was deflected back into a dangerous area. Jess McDonald made the most of the half chance to sweep the ball low beyond Casey Dumont.
Western United manager Mark Torcaso had named an attacking line-up and the lead was well deserved. They were not intimidated by one of the league’s benchmark sides.
Above: Western United goal scorer Jess McDonald leads the celebrations. Photo: Western United.
Although Victory enjoyed plenty of possession, clear-cut chances were rare. Ayres’s flick put asked Chidiac in on goal, but her lofted shot bounced just wide of the goal with Beall beaten on a rare occasion for the afternoon.
Although Victory pressed for the rest of the game, the equalising goal never arrived. The introduction of Amy Jackson and the shift of Zimmerman to centre forward gave them more control of midfield, but Alana Cerne and Sydney Cummings were commanding be composed in defence, while the introduction of Chloe Logarzo only made things tougher for Victory.
The final whistle sent The Western Core into raptures, while Victory’s title defence got off to a less-than-ideal start.
It was a competitive and compelling football match, if not one packed with highlights. Despite the conditions, there was still plenty to celebrate. Logarzo and Kellond-Knight emerged unscathed, and biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Aleks Sinclair’s arrival on the pitch in her overdue A-League debut.
Melbourne Victory’s start to the season does not get any easier. They face an away trip to face Sydney FC for round two. The Grand Final rematch now has even higher stakes after this early setback.
Western United fly off to play Wellington Phoenix. The win will give them confidence against a team that knows what it’s like to be the new kids on the block and will be unlikely to provide any favors.
Above: Scenes of joy in the dressing room after Western United’s superb win. Photo: Western United
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Iermano, Cummings, Cerne, Papadopoulos, Robers, M.Taranto, A.Taranto (Logarzo), McDonald, Keane, Johnson (Sinclair).
Above: Goalscoring celebrations for Canberra United at McKellar Park. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra United welcomed Perth Glory to McKellar Park in a fixture that promised goals. When these two last met, the result was a dramatic 3-3 draw, and this round one match started in similarly frenetic style.
Glory named the hugely talented Bella Wallhead in their starting line-up for the first time since the 2020/21 season, and the youngster and her defensive colleagues had to step up in the early stages.
Canberra started aggressively and with attacking intent. Moving the ball forward at pace was valued over possession by the home side, and they created a flurry of goal-scoring chances in the opening minutes.
Michelle Heyman looked dangerous early. The A-League Women’s star striker skipped around Glory keeper Sarah Langman but hit her shot over the bar.
Wu Chenshu was next to threaten for Canberra United. Her shot from the edge of the box flew just over the bar. Following efforts from Vesna Milivojević and the returning Nikki Flannery, Perth Glory had Langman to thank for keeping things level.
Above: Canberra United’s talismanic Michelle Heyman in action today. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra United’s fast start paid off in the 12th minute. New signing Grace Jale making an immediate impression on the fans after heading in Grace Maher’s corner kick to open the scoring.
It was a perfectly struck, in swinging delivery from the Canberra United playmaker. The New Zealand attacker had only to direct it goalward and she made no mistake from close range.
With Perth still reeling after conceding, Michelle Heyman almost doubled the lead. Her shot hit the upright after she danced through the defence and struck off her left foot.
As the half wore on, the visitors worked their way into the game. Alana Jancevski dropped deep to receive the ball. Sofia Sakalis and Hana Lowry became more involved and started to scheme in midfield.
Lowry was the first Glory play to test Chloe Lincoln in the Canberra goal. Her shot on her non-favoured right foot forced Lincoln into a spectacular diving save at full stretch.
New American striker, Gabriella Coleman began to trouble the Canberra defence. Her run and cross from the left bounced off the near post and trickled along the line before it was cleared by Emma Ilijoski.
Perth eventually carved out an equaliser in the 35th minute. In a similar style to Canberra’s opener, Liz Anton leapt to head home Ella Mastrantonio’s corner kick. The players from both sides paused in shock, but there were no arguments from the home team when the goal was awarded after it bounced in off the woodwork. Anton’s goals for Perth are few and far between, and notably Canberra are the only side she has scored against for Alex Epakis’ side.
Above: Perth Glory celebrate coming from behind. Photo: Perth Glory.
Canberra United restored their lead before halftime. Grace Maher was once again the architect. Her long run through midfield ended with a well-timed pass into the path of Milivojević, who finished under Langman to make it 2-1.
It was a much more even second half. Although both teams had threats, clear chances on goal became harder to forge. Cyera Hintzen was introduced for Glory in an attempt to switch up the attack.
The American striker was a huge influence last season and made an almost immediate impact on this match.
Hintzen found space inside the penalty area and cut the ball back to Coleman who levelled the scores in the 64th minute.
The momentum had swung slightly toward the visitors and Sakalis was having a huge impact as an advanced midfielder. An attempted overhead kick and a shot on the turn did not result in goals, but the Victorian NPLW star looked dangerous until she was swapped for Susan Phonsongkham.
Above: Perth Glory’s Susan Phonsongkham battles for the ball. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra searched for the winner through efforts from Wu and Milivojević, while rising star Sasha Grove pushes further up the pitch.
Neither side could find the winner, despite both teams playing with plenty of intent. In the end, a draw felt fortunate but not undeserved from Perth Glory. Canberra United would have felt unlucky not to win in the opening round after dominating the shots on target 11 to four. Nikki Flannery had the best two chances to win the game late, but her shots hit the post and flew over the bar respectively
This was an exciting match between two sides focussed on scoring. Canberra United looked far sharper than their opening rounds of last season. Perth Glory entered this season with ambitions of a top-four place. They would not be perturbed by this performance, after initially being on the back foot, they were able to work their way back into the contest admirably.
Both teams will look to improve, but look to have all the pieces on the field to do so.
This fixture looked likely to produce goals and attacking play, and it delivered on that promise.
Teams:CANBERRA UNITED (4-1-4-1): Lincoln, Grove, McComasky, Faulknor, Ilijoski, Maher, Flannery, Wu (Hughes), Milivojević (Christopherson), Jale, Heyman.
Above: Jamilla Rankin brings the ball away for Brisbane Roar. Photo: Sofascore.
Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets got the 2022/23 Liberty A-League Women season underway in a fiery affair at Perry Park.
Roar had the better of the opening exchanges of the game with Shea Connors firing wide while the Jets had chances with a Murphy Agnew free-kick tipped over by Hensley Hancuff and Sarah Griffith went close.
Larissa Crummer got the better of her former team as she scored the first goal of the match, as Roar broke the deadlock 15 minutes before halftime with the Jets defence at sixes and sevens, allowing the Australian international to slot into an empty net.
Above: Sharn Freier, scorer of Brisbane Roar’s second goal. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane did have a goal disallowed for a foul in the box from a corner kick, which denied Crummer her second of the game. But they were not to be denied as a cross in from Connors saw Sharn Freier grab her first goal of the season.
Into the second half, it was a slow start after the break with both teams struggling to get going – not aided by the stop-start nature caused by 19 fouls committed and five yellow cards being handed out by the 55-minute mark.
Connors had a great chance to make it 3-0 as she was played in behind by a sublime pass from Margot Robinne but she hit her shot at Georgina Worth in the Newcastle goal.
Ashlee Brodigan had a big chance of pulling a goal back for the Jets from point-blank range, but Brisbane’s shot-stopper Hancuff did well to get down to it.
The Jets were pressing and pushing to get back into the game with 20 minutes to go but to no avail, with Agnew’s strike on goal was saved comfortably.
Above: Murphy Agnew, who had a strong performance on debut. Photo: Newcastle Herald.
But she had better luck and grabbed a debut goal from the penalty spot, after Hensley Hancuff very lucky to stay on the pitch after fouling Adriana Konjarski. The Roar keeper was the last player but only received a yellow.
That shifted a change of atmosphere in the last 15 minutes, with Newcastle now pushing to get the equaliser and nick a point from what was a two-goal deficit.
The visitors thought they got the equaliser five minutes from time as Agnew’s corner was headed home by Tara Andrews, but it was ruled out as Konjarski, who was deemed in an offside position, tangled with Hancuff on the goal line.
So, Brisbane Roar pick up an opening day win as they kick off their 2022/23 campaign with a victory, meanwhile, the Newcastle Jets are now without an opening day win for six years with their last coming at the start of the 2017/18 season.
Up next in Round Two for the Brisbane Roar are Canberra United who travels to Perry Park, while the Newcastle Jets host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Tamworth at Scully Park.
Ahead of their historic first-ever home match, Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence spoke to the media. Impetus’ Ryan Miller-Woods reports (19/11/22).
Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence (left). Photo: Hagan Hopkins.
In anticipation of their match against Melbourne City, Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence spoke to the media yesterday as the club’s first-ever home game drew close.
After their inaugural season in which they were located in Australia throughout the entire campaign, the opportunity for the club to be able to play in front of a home crowd in New Zealand becomes a reality tomorrow afternoon. This a significant match for everyone involved. History will be made as Wellington finally hosts the first A-League Women match to be played outside of Australia.
The preparation for the match hasn’t been without its hiccups, with Lawrence having a number of players ruled out of the game.
“Mickey (Michaela) Robertson has got the concussion, so she’s not quite ready to play, we are hoping to have her back maybe next week. Obviously a concussion we have to take really seriously and make sure she’s going through the proper steps to make sure she’s okay.
“Rollo (Emma Rolston) has been ruled out, she hasn’t been able to recover again from her back, which was really, really unfortunate because she was training really well, has been great around the environment and we know about Izzy (Isabel) Gomez, Lily (Alfeld) and Grace (Wisnewski), so yeah a few injuries for our first game but we still feel pretty happy, we’ve developed a strong squad this year, so we know we have the players to still put on a strong performance.”
The Phoenix head coach sought to allay fears that some of these injuries came as a result of players playing more minutes than would have been ideal, particularly with the game coming so swiftly after an international window.
Above: Natalie Lawrence pointing the way towards a positive season for the Nix. Photo: John Davidson.
“None of those injuries have really been I don’t think from the loading. Rollo’s (Emma Rolston) was always one we were going to have to manage and I just think to the timing of that has been really unlucky for her.
“When you look at the Ferns (New Zealand), actually someone like Paige (Satchell) was able to get minutes with them so that actually helps us out, so whilst the timing sometimes isn’t amazing and in pre-season losing quite a few of our players came at a tricky time, also the fact that they can play high-level international games at home before our first game, is quite a positive for us and when you’ve got Betsy (Hassett) and Paige (Satchell) able to play, that makes a huge difference.”
On being asked whether she has spoken to the team about the match with the occasion itself and whether she has brought anyone outside of the club to prepare them with pep talks and motivational speakers to be an assistance to the players, Lawrence responded: “No, we haven’t. We’ve mentioned it but we haven’t fully focused on it.
“One of the big things this week was whilst we’ve moved from pre-season into season nothing changes, the process is the process and that’s the one thing we can control. We went through it last year with the first game of the season being this huge momentous occasion and the feeling is the same.
“So what I think the girls have done this week being in the media and talking about and trying to get this 10,000 (crowd attendance), that’s kind of channelled their focus in a different way, so then they get out everything there and when they’re training, they’re like fully focused, fully in on training on how we can beat (Melbourne) City. So they’ll be nerves, a lot of nerves. How they channelled it last year, they’re even more well equipped this year.”
The Phoenix head coach concluded by outlining the high expectations she has for her team this season.
“One of the things I’ve always said is obviously we never go to lose any game, we’ve set ourselves up not to lose but to win and we want to stay in the race (for the Finals). So for as long as we actually possibly can, we want to stay in the race. We have realistic targets and came bottom last year.
“That’s not going to be acceptable this year, for the club, for us, for the players. None of us want that again and we want to stay in the race for the Finals for as long as we can and control what we can and stick to our process, then the outcome will look after itself.”
Impetus’ Johnathan Stack attended Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall‘s media conference ahead of today’s huge WSL game with Manchester United at The Emirates (19/11/22).
Above: Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal head coach spoke to the media ahead of today’s big game against Manchester United. Photo: Arsenal Women.
The Barclays Women’s Super League is back with a bang after the international break as Arsenal takes on Manchester United in a top-of-the-table clash.
A win for United will see them go level on points with the Gunners. With champions Chelsea also up there at the top, it is vital that Jonas Eidevall’s side pick up three points.
Arsenal welcome back Vivianne Miedema to the team and there was a welcome sight as Lioness captain Leah Williamson returned to training this week.
Eidevall outlined the threat that Marc Skinners’ team pose: “It will be a tough game. We obviously now have a quick turnaround from the international period. For us, it’s about playing one game at a time, controlling what we can control, and making the most of our performance. If we do, we’re confident that we can deliver good results.”
Once again Arsenal will take to the field at the Emirates Stadium with a big crowd in attendance, with over 35,000 tickets sold. The Arsenal head coach spoke about the benefits that come from playing so many matches at the venue: “I think it’s one of our two homes. And from the time I’ve been here, we feel more and more that this is our home.
“We feel more and more that it’s on a platform, where we’re able to share our love for Arsenal with so many more people than just ourselves in the team. To share that and to see how much energy that creates, and that bond between the team and the supporters, I think it’s beautiful, and the Emirates just gives us much more opportunity to do so.
“Manchester United have had a great start to the season. I’m so pleased that we can, again, sell such a high number of tickets when we go to Emirates and have these high standards. It was a beautiful experience at the North London derby and, together with our fans, we want to try and create the same thing.”
Above: Action from last season’s game between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix. Photo: Daniel Pockett.
THE GAME
Wellington Phoenix vs. Melbourne City, 1:00 pm AEST/2am UK, Sunday 20 November, Sky Stadium, Wellington.
THE CONTEXT
Above: Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic. Photo: AP.
At the dawn of a new season, hope springs eternal.
All clubs start on the same level playing field; no team yet to kick a ball in earnest, nor face up to a midfield worth a combined 136 Matildas caps. For Melbourne City, reality hits this Sunday, as they travel across the ditch to face the Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand to open their 2022/23 A-League Women’s campaign.
The biggest question for City to answer this season: are they true title contenders?
“We remember last season; we know what we want this season,” striker Hannah Wilkinson pronounced at the A-League launch on Wednesday. “Our whole team, we had some high expectations, and we didn’t quite achieve them. So it certainly feels like unfinished business.”
Last season, City played a pleasing-on-the-eye, passing-heavy brand of football, led by veteran coach Rado Vidosic. However, though they were runners-up for the premiership, their young side fell short against both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in the finals series, missing out on the Grand Final. That unfinished business will likely lead through the same two unyielding obstacles of Sydney and Victory this time round as well.
Whilst a number of the squad have returned this season, City continue to rely on youth (with an average age of 22.8 years), and time will tell if they have enough experience and endurance to last the course.
“We’re going to try to do our best of course,” Vidosic said at his pre-match press conference. “Who’s going to win it? It’s very hard to predict right now; I think Sydney FC would be one of the favourites again, Melbourne Victory have recruited quite smartly as well. Western United, we played them a couple weeks ago, they’ve got a World Cup winner in their team – they looked very good.
“I think this season [the standard] is going to be a little bit better than what it was last year, which is great. If we can keep on improving our league, I think that’s the main thing – and we’re going to try our best to be there at the end.”
We won’t get answers to all questions straight away, but Sunday’s game provides a softer opening for City, against a Phoenix side who, on paper at least, look to still have an inferior squad. It will be a prime opportunity to see whether this group can continue to maintain Vidosic’s tactical demands for aggressive pressing and calm ball composure, and how the new signings are integrated into the side.
Above: Melbourne City’s Hannah Wilkinson (far left) won’t be able to take to the field in her native New Zealand this weekend due to injury. Photo: Melbourne City.
Most of the recent recruits have travelled with Americans Emina Ekic and Julia Grosso coming in alongside Young Matildas starlets Bryleeh Henry and Daniela Galic. Ex-Sydney FC player Maria Rojas is another welcome addition following news which broke this week that Wilkinson will miss the first month of the season with a quad injury, joining Holly McNamara who’s out long-term with an ACL injury.
Further back, intrigue will surround who steps up to fill the hole in midfield left by Rebekah Stott’s departure. New Zealander Katie Bowen injects a defensive stability, whilst City will be hoping for further internal improvement from the likes of Leah Davidson, Leticia McKenna and Darcey Malone. Karly Roestbakken, who battled injuries throughout last term, will unfortunately also begin this season out of action (foot).
“We’re absolutely firing to try and achieve those goals that we set out,” Wilkinson said. “The core group of players are back, so it’s like we’re kind of picking up from where we left off, but pushing ourselves a little bit harder, to try and really get what we want to achieve.”
We will see City play a small part in a bit of A-League history; taking on the Phoenix in what will be their first proper home game in Wellington, and the first Women’s game hosted outside of Australia in the domestic competition.
Wellington, for their part, will hope to continue to build on the positivity engendered during a difficult, inaugural season. Having been forced to use Wollongong as a home base last year, where they earned just a single point, they’ll be relieved to finally have the comfort of a Kiwi crowd. They showed signs of late improvement, winning two of their last four matches to close out 21/22.
They are unfortunately the only team that does not in fact start on the same level playing field, continuing to be hindered by the inequitable rule which counts Australian-born players towards their foreign quota of five players. Internationals Betsy Hassett and Paige Satchell have however been drafted in to boost the seniority within the team, though goalkeeping captain LIly Alfield will miss their opening fixture, still recovering from knee surgery.
Speaking about the game, Vidosic added, “It’s about a four-hour flight, the length is probably similar to Perth. I think last season we didn’t travel to Perth, so for some of these girls it’ll be the first time they need to use their passports, that’s a good experience. We’ll see how things go, it’s an early morning training in Wellington, but the good thing is we’re playing in a beautiful stadium – apparently they’re going to have a good crowd as well, so I think it’s going to be a cracking game.
“When you’re playing in front of a big home crowd, it’s actually more pressure on you (the home team). Some of our girls played at the (Under-20) World Cup in Costa Rica, in front of 22,000, and did really well, so it’s not that they’ve never faced anything like that.
“I think the pressure is equal, I don’t think the players will have that on their mind when they go out to play. Our experienced girls will help the younger less experienced ones if there are any problems.”
A PLAYER TO WATCH
Above: Rhianna Pollicina in action against Adelaide United last season. Photo: Melbourne City.
Rhianna Pollicina had a standout season in 2021/22. She contributed seven goals and three assists and provided the most shot-creating and goal-creating actions of any City player.
She thrived as one of the two “number 10s” in Vidosic’s 3-4-3 formation; not only key in creating chances for her side, but also in Melbourne City’s high-pressing strategy.
She may be one of City’s only familiar faces in the forward areas for Sunday’s game, so the 25-year-old will hope to showcase consistent form to open her sophomore year in Sky Blue.
A STAT
Bryleeh Henry had a dismal last season with Western Sydney Wanderers. A promising forward in the Young Matildas squads, she was mired in the gloom of a seemingly rudderless Wanderers side which finished second-last just ahead of Wellington.
Henry was presented with chances worth a measly 1.6 expected goals (xG) from 11 games, including nine starts. She will have been disappointed with just one goal from the penalty spot to show for the sum total of her campaign.
Above: Bryleeh Henry, a key signing for City, seen here in action for Western Sydney Wanderers last season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
By comparison, Wilkinson was second in the golden boot race, with 12 goals from chances worth 9.0 xG. Henry will be hoping for a similar City bump, plying her trade in a more cohesive and competent squad.
“We tried to bring her in a few years ago, but she decided to stay at Western Sydney. This year when her contract was up, she reached out, and it was very easy to bring her in,” Vidosic added on Friday. “We worked together for the [under-20] World Cup…She’s doing really well, so I can’t wait to see how she’s going to go in the game on Sunday.”
A QUOTE
“It’s a bit silly of me,” Wilkinson lamented on her injury. “I just went straight in; too hard, too soon after my Covid infection which was a bit too much for my body.
“When I came back here, I still had a lot of quad pain from not training and being sick for a while, and just managed to pull or strain my quad a little bit. It’s going well, I’m definitely through the worst of it. Back on the pitch doing more specific stuff, so yeah, getting past it.”
The Football Fern is expected to be out of action for a month.
THE OPPOSITION
Three questions with Denise Duffy and Jonathon Haggar, part of the Flight of the Nix, a Wellington Phoenix supporters group. The Phoenix are hoping for a crowd of about 10,000 for the first home game in the club’s history.
Wellington will make history this Sunday, being the first club to host a game in the A-League Women’s outside of Australia. How are you feeling about finally being able to see the Phoenix playing at their actual home ground (and in their actual home country!) in Wellington, New Zealand?
Denise: I think New Zealand is switching more and more on to women’s sports. For long term fans of the game it’s thrilling and a bit of a relief that there is professional [women’s] football in this country. I think you will see some tears at the opening match for sure. And do tune in. No country does opening ceremonies quite like the Kiwis – it should be beautiful. Our Flight of the Nix crew will be there.
Making their debut in the A-League competition, there were obviously very few expectations for Wellington last season. What are the club hoping to achieve as they commence their sophomore year?
Denise: When we spoke with new coach Natalie Lawrence her response was realistic. They want to be there in the playoffs at the end season. Of course our fans and certainly these athletes want more. Here’s their dilemma: if they bring in high calibre athletes from abroad, it is at the sacrifice of a Kiwi spot. While other teams are stacking their rosters with short-term deals, the Phoenix are not going to do this.
Their commitment is to develop future Ferns. They have already been successful at this. New Zealand will continue to be super patient and supportive of this team and this approach. I will say, winning is addictive, it draws more fans, it creates confidence. Fans are hoping and expecting this team to continue to gel and run through brick walls for this coach. If we see that, they are bound to win some.
This offseason, there have been a number of new signings, re-signings, and five of the squad who were selected for the New Zealand Football Ferns’ recent friendlies. Who are the players we should be keeping an eye on right out the gate?
Jonathon: I’m tipping Michaela Robertson for the team’s golden boot. She is a prolific goal-scoring machine. She’s been out of professional circles for a while but she is going to be an absolute blast to watch. Milly Clegg won’t start many games but is a super reliable sub. Very young at 17, but has future star potential written all over her. She played in the U17s and U20s World Cup this year, and is another prolific goal-scoring machine. She is super football smart, controls her body well around the pitch, and has phenomenal football IQ.
Paige Satchell was at Sydney FC and wasn’t getting many minutes but has come to the Nix to push for a Ferns starting position. Lots of pace, excellent ball control, strong physically. Claudia Cicco is an up-and-coming Matilda, playing for the Australian U20s squad, and is a fierce defender. She is no pushover and takes her role in the back line extremely seriously. As an understudy to Kate Taylor and Mackenzie Barry, she is going to have to work hard to make the starting squad but Claudia has got the ambition and talent.
Above: Adelaide United head coach Adrian Stenta speaking to the media today. Photo provided to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Adelaide United are focussed on going even further into Finals football this season beginning with a home game with many people’s favourites Sydney FC this weekend.
As they faced the media today, head coach Adrian Stenta and captain Isabel Hodgson outlined their aims for the clash against the Harbour City side and why they are so positive about their prospects over the coming months,
Stenta emphasised the clarity that is present in his team’s preparations: “I think we’re really clear about the way we want to play, I think we’re really clear about the opposition we’re coming up against, and the quality that they’ll bring. But even though it’s been a long off-season, it’s been quite a short pre-season in terms of the time afforded to us to work with all our players and get them all on the same page.
“I think every team is in the same boat, (but) we’re really lucky that we’re still able to lean on a core group of players that have been here consistently in my time here at the club. We’re going to ask them to stand up and lead the way again and we think that the players that we have brought in offer a lot of quality as well. I’m really happy with the way the squad’s come together and how our preparations have come together for Round One.”
Above: Isabel Hodgson is aware that many people have major expectations for Adelaide Unitedmthis season, and she is hungry for success. Photo provided to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Skipper Hodgson spoke about how the club’s successes over the past two years have brought about a shift in people’s perceptions of Adelaide United saying:
“We’re not just the underdogs that could maybe upset teams. We’re kind of (one of) the teams that are meant to win, so there’s a bit of a mindset change.”
Isabel Hodgson, Adelaide United captain.
“All of the girls want to win every game; you can see that training even just in rondos people are yelling at each other because they don’t want to be the last in (the middle). That competitive nature is there and that mindset of winning every challenge is definitely there.
“I think that’s been our mentality for the last couple of years. (It) obviously paid off last year with the finals, but like (Adrian Stenta) mentioned, we kind of finished last year with a bit of a bitter-sweet feeling. We’re happy we made Finals, but that wasn’t enough for us. That’s what we’re looking for this year, to keep doing better and better.”
Ben Gilby, Holly Wright, and Ryan Miller-Woods report on four club’s media conferences today ahead of Round One this weekend (17/11/22).
CANBERRA UNITED:
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Above: Canberra United’s Ellen Gett – ready for Saturday’s season opener against Perth Glory. Photo: Canberra Times.
In preparation for Canberra United’s opening game of the upcoming A-League Women’s season against Perth Glory, the media yesterday heard from players Ellen Gett and Grace Maher.
Asked what to expect from their Western Australian opponents on Saturday, Ellen Gett said: “Perth always brings a physical side, they’re kind of known to be very physical but other than that you know, energy, a generally good team we’ve got to prepare for.”
In terms of what she feels her side need to do in order to ensure they start the campaign with the three points, Gett emphasised the importance of a fast start. “We’ve got to start from the kick-off and we can’t drop, making sure we are on top and we’ll be sweet.”
Canberra were a side who did not quite pick up the amount of points that were expected of them last season, and Gett outlined that if her side can get the little things right, then the big things will take care of themselves.
“The pressure is always there to win, you know, you want three points in every round. It’s such a small season so every point counts and matters but as a team, we are just going to focus on the small things and the team objectives and the three points will follow.”
Above: Grace Maher (right) – knows exactly the benefits that a McKellar Park crowd will bring to her Canberra United team this weekend. Photo: @gracemaher10 Twitter.
Club legend Grace Maher also gave her thoughts to the media and outlined just how important it is that Canberra United start with a home game, with the return of the side to McKellar Park after two years away.
“We love playing at home. It is not only easier on us for our preparation but it is a spiritual thing, a connection to our fans. We want to get the season off and running, and we love doing that at home and we hope that Perth are fearing that and we will take it in our stride.”
Maher feels the added value of Canberra’s renowned vocal home support will be vital against a Perth Glory side who she rates.
“They have retained a lot of their players from last season, but they’ve brought in a few new players. I’ve formally played under Alex Epakis, so I get an idea of what he is doing but he’s grown as a coach, so we are anticipating everything and being prepared for everything but at the same time, we know that if we play our football, then they (Perth) shouldn’t be too much of a worry (for us).
“I think the focus has just been, be ready for anything and everything. We’ve worked a lot on playing and working with our teammates, obviously, we’ve had a bit of disruption with a few of our players out with national team duty and everyone has slid in perfectly if they have to, everyone’s ready for whatever they need to play and however, they need to play, so our focus is just, be ready for anything.”
MELBOURNE VICTORY:
by Holly Wright
Above: Kayla Morrison gives her thoughts on Saturday’s game against Western United to the media today. Image: Melbourne Victory.
After rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, a little over 11 months ago, Melbourne Victory defender Kayla Morrison is going into this weekend’s opening A-League Women’s against competition newcomers Western United full of positivity and can’t wait to get the season started after spending much of last season watching from the sidelines.
“It’s going to be an amazing game. They (Western United) are going to come out full of energy. It might be their first game, but it’s also our first game and my first game as well. Something we have got to remember is we have been here before. We need to stay calm, stay professional and get the game done.”
She added, “I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s hard because I’m so excited but I’m also nervous. I think it’s okay to be a little bit nervous so hopefully, I can just calm those nerves, bottle up all the energy and just do what I know I can do. I feel like I had a great rehab. I feel strong, I feel mentally in a good place so hopefully, everyone can see that when I’m back on the field.”
The defending champions have had a strong preparation for the season and Morrison believes they are in a great position to win a third consecutive grand final. “No preseason ever goes perfectly according to plan. We obviously had girls leaving for international camp, but it helps us adapt and gives us that extra little edge. Other than that, it’s been pretty smooth. We have got done what we wanted to accomplish as we go into the first game of the season, so I think we are as ready as ever.”
Victory suffered from a lack of defensive strength in depth after Morrison’s unfortunate injury. The 26-year-old commented on manager Jeff Hopkins’ business over the winter and how the new additions have settled in. “I think the vibe this year is different. It’s just as good. It’s just as positive, but for the past two years, we have had a very similar team.
“We have a lot of new girls this year, but they have brought in extra vibes, extra positivity, and have more experience. It’s different team but it’s just as good and I am excited to see what the team will do and throw out on the pitch.”
The American has a great deal of respect for Saturday’s opponents saying: “I think they are going to be a really good team. They have had all their girls the entire preseason. They have had about four or five weeks together, which is very beneficial. They are a team not to overlook, but we will go into every game feeling like it’s a championship game. We are going to put our best foot forward no matter who we are playing.”
PERTH GLORY:
by Ben Gilby
Above: Alex Epakis speaking to the media today. He is hugely enthusiastic about his team’s prospects this season. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis emphasised to the media at Fremantle Oval today that he sees no limit on what his exciting squad can achieve this season.
“Last season we did really well, and hopefully we’ll continue to progress as a team. The players got to play football over the winter whereas I got to stew over what happened last season (when the club missed out on Finals football on goal difference). It gave us time to analyse and assess what we did, and more foundation for this season, where we can improve, and what we can achieve.”
In terms of the key developments he wants to see in his team this season, Epakis highlighted game management in terms of holding onto leads in the face of mounting pressure from the opposition.
“The two games we drew – Canberra with a 3-1 lead and Newcastle Jets with a one-goal lead with five or six minutes to go – we weren’t able to see those games out. We’ve looked at how we can manage and get things in our favour when momentum is not going our way, but we do have a lead. It’s intelligence. (New signings) Rylee (Baisden) and Ella (Mastrantonio) will assist in those moments.”
The return of home-state star Mastrantonio, with experience of playing in England and Italy as well as international football, is, for Epakis, key to assisting his talented young team’s development this season.
“Ella will be invaluable,” he said. “She has already had a big impact on the team these last six weeks. She has so much quality on the field but so much off it too. She’s been great for me. You learn from these experienced players. I wouldn’t be naive enough not to involve Ella in certain conversations. She is a real asset to the Australian game.”
The addition of Mastrantonio and Baisden to an already exciting group of players is something that clearly excites the Perth head coach:
“This is the best team environment I’ve ever worked with. Every player is committed to what we are doing and putting the team above themselves and its a real joy to be part of. There is a real energy and vibe about what we are doing.”
Alex Epakis, Perth Glory head coach.
It’s always hard to gauge the opposition for a first game of the season, but Canberra United, who Perth face on Saturday, are potentially even more of an enigma with a new head coach in Njegosh Popovich and a host of new players coming in. One thing is for sure though, any team with Grace Maher, Nikki Flannery, and Michelle Heyman in it pose a real threat. Yet, for Epakis, it’s all about his own team.
“I think this season all the games will be on fine margins, and we need to make sure that every game we are doing our best for 90 minutes. We can put value into what the opposition are doing, but if we focus on us and our job at hand, anything is possible.”
Above: Perth Glory’s Abbey Green speaking to the media today. Image: Pert Glory.
Exciting Western Australian talent Abbey Green spoke about the confidence and excitement that the Perth Glory squad is exuding ahead of their opening A-League Women game at Canberra United on Saturday.
“We’ve been on the come-up for a few years now, so I think we can go well this season and build on what we had last season. All the girls went to all their other clubs during winter, but they’ve come back with one goal – to make Finals.
“I think last year we did better than anyone expected. We have quite high internal expectations of ourselves, and we just want to do our best, but still have that underdog mentality.”
Green was visibly delighted to be able to learn from experienced fellow WA native Ella Mastrantonio who has returned to the Glory for this season, and reflected on the importance that both the Australian international and American signing Rylee Baisden add to the squad:
“Rylee and Ella are real leadership players. I’ve never played with Ella before, but this is her hometown too and it’s great to have her back.”
Another big benefit for Perth Glory is the ability to play regular home matches this season, and that, plus the knowledge of having another year on her contract at her hometown club has given the attacker renewed confidence.
“It’s good to know I have another season on my contract. Coming back to Perth to play (after the NPL in Sydney) is great. Perth is my home and I love playing for this team. I’ve played with these girls for years. It’s great to be back and to stay back.”
Whilst Perth Glory had to face and overcome the challenge of spending by far the vast majority of last season based out of New South Wales, Green sees long-lasting benefits from the period. That sense of togetherness plus the potential of a partisan WA crowd behind the team gives Glory a real shared identity and belief.
“Having to go away last year (into the NSW hub) brought us together, we’re like a family away from our family. It’s nice to be back to normal and have fans at home and have our families watching those of us from Perth. Last year did bring us close together, and it’s nice to still have that.”
Abbey Green, Perth Glory.
Finally, Green looked ahead to Saturday’s opposition – a team who always give Perth Glory a tough battle. “Canberra – it’s hard. We couldn’t quite get past them last season, but we’ve put six weeks of hard work in and we’re confident that we can go there and give them a good game.”
WESTERN UNITED:
by Holly Wright
Above: Jess McDonald speaking to the media ahead of Western United’s first-ever A-League Women match. Image: Western United;
Western United are making their A-League Women debut this weekend after years of hard work finally paying off for the club and what better way to kick off their campaign than against the defending champions.
According to the club’s USWNT striker Jess McDonald, the club are more than ready for the battle. “Everyone’s been really hungry throughout this preseason since I’ve been here at least. We have such a young team who is hungry, and who is willing to work really hard for one another. Going into Saturday, we’re super stoked. We want to make it very difficult for every team to try and beat us. That is another one of our goals. We want to be one of the hardest teams to play against.”
United had a very strong pre-season one in which they actually defeated a Victory side with McDonald looking to bring her vast experience and knowledge, which saw her earn 19 caps for the USA, including an appearance at the 2019 World Cup, to guide the youngsters in the right direction.
“I’ve tried to bring my experience as a footballer into the squad because it is a very young group of players, so you try to give them that little bit of knowledge and bring out the best in them. Being a pro, it is nerve-wracking, especially when you’re a young player and, you are playing your first game that comes with a little bit of pressure.
“With my leadership presence, I’m just hoping that I can just bring out the best in everyone. It is actually a very fun role to play for me because I know what I can bring to the table as a footballer, as a leader, someone on and off the field, someone that my teammates can look up to so those are the type of roles that I do enjoy having.
McDonald also spoke about how exciting her role has been as well as the respect the players have given her along with their willingness to learn. “It has been awesome to see that everyone in this team has been very coachable.
“Little things are just coming together and bringing our strengths together. It has just been really nice to see everyone mesh really well together but that is something that we need as a team. Any team needs communication to be able to come together, especially if you have a goal and you want to succeed. I love that pressure as a leader on a young squad because, honestly, you know, at the end of the day, it makes me feel young.”
Western United will take time to adjust to what is a very competitive league, but this is a club that has been built to compete and are accustomed to success as Calder United in the Victoria NPLW under head coach Mark Torcaso.
McDonald also reflected on her return to the competition which sees her face her old side a decade after leaving Australia. “It is one of the most competitive leagues and it’s been amazing to see it rise. Melbourne Victory kind of gave me that second chance of playing football again. Coming in 10 years ago was a whole different vibe for me.
“I have my career set in stone, so it is nice to come back here and know what to expect from this league. It’s just cherry on top that my first game of the season just so happens to be against Melbourne Victory. It doesn’t get any better than that at the end of the day. I’m super stoked to play against my old club, old teammates, and even current teammates. It’s always nice to obviously play against friends and old clubs as well so it makes the competition even better.”
Western United has the potential to be a very entertaining and competitive side in the A-League Women this season, one definitely not to be underestimated.
This week’s Midweek Dub feature sees our huge 2022/23 A-League Women season preview brought to you by our team of eight writers covering the competition this season – Kieran Yap, Kris Goman, Ryan Miller-Woods, Ben Gilby, Jonathan Tay, Ben Carey, Hayley Routley, and Johnathan Stack(16/11/22).
ADELAIDE UNITED:
by Hayley Routley
Above: Adelaide United captain Isobel Hodgson is looking to lead her side to a Grand Final this season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Season 2022/2023 spells the rebirth of Adelaide United Women, and for good reason. United are fresh off the back of their most successful season in club history, having made A-League Women (ALW) finals for the first time.
Last season also saw accolades including Coach of the Year for head coach, Adrian Stenta, and Fiona Worts becoming their first ever Julie Dolan medal recipient, in addition to the Golden Boot for her 13 goals. The team are wanting to take that momentum into the now extended season that sees them free of COVID-related disruptions for the first time in several years.
United’s coaching staff have cleverly retained the core of the history-making squad, in addition to bolstering their ranks with some exciting scholarship players.
Current and former captains respectively, Isabel Hodgson lines up for her eighth Reds’ campaign, whilst Dylan Holmes returns on a one-year contract extension. Despite losing defender Matilda McNamara to Danish side, AGF Fodbold, Jenna McCormick is back for her third United stint after almost a straight swap between the two clubs. Kayla Sharples will also be a noticeable absence, but United have turned to 2021 campaigner, Maruschka Waldus to fill her place. Looking domestically, competition for midfield spots heats up with the addition of former Melbourne Victory and Australian under-20s cap, Mindy Barbieri.
United have secured four scholarship signings of National Training Centre (NTC) alumni. Emilia Murray lit up the WNPL for NTC alongside Sascha Coorey, who scored two of the greatest goals of the season, plus the duo of Zoe Tolland and Katie Bowler who were arguably stars of runner-up, Adelaide City.
Above: The return of local start Jenna McCormick was aother boost for Adelaide United ahead of the season. Artwork: Adelaide United.
Stenta is clearly excited by the side he has built, stating “Overall, I believe the balance of youth and experienced players is, arguably, the best it has been since being involved at United and it is very exciting ahead of the new season.”
United captain Hodgson also feels United have the upper hand against their opponents through their off-season preparation. Commenting at a recent Football SA event, Hodgson indicated the entire squad has been training together since early October.
With United set to play majority of their home games at the brand-new State Centre for Football rather than Marden, squad members who played WNPL in the off-season also hold the advantage of pitch familiarity. The increase to nine home games and completed renovations to Cooper’s Stadium, including the addition of female changerooms, allows for the inclusion of doubleheaders with the men’s side. Hodgson has indicated the stadium upgrades, due to Adelaide being a host city for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, make the team feel wanted and a part of a professional setup.
The local flavour that defines Adelaide United, the familiarity amongst the squad who have either developed together through the NTC or played alongside each other in the WNPL, and the belief amongst this team is second to none. Adelaide United will look to turn that inherent chemistry into results, to become a powerhouse amongst the ALW and strive to consistently make finals from here on out.
BRISBANE ROAR:
by Ben Carey
Above: In-form Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry is back at Brisbane Roar this season. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Last season was a transitionary season for the Brisbane Roar. The two-time champions and three-time premiers took a massive hit losing 2020/21 Golden Boot winner Emily Gielnik, and Matildas veterans Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop.
The Roar started the season in poor form, with two losses against Perth Glory and a draw against Canberra United, despite having led in all three matches for 80+ minutes. This killed their early season momentum and resulted in many lost points.
Despite their slow start, Brisbane Roar did manage to find some form during the remainder of the season, with a dramatic 4-2 win over the eventual champions, Melbourne Victory, and a tight 1-0 victory over Melbourne City in the second last round. They closed out their season with a 5-1 thumping of the Newcastle Jets. But it was too little too late, and they finished sixth on the ladder.
The biggest issue for the Roar last season was their defensive line, who were often unable to repel well-organised attacks from the higher-ranked teams and who conceded several own goals. Head coach, Garrath McPherson has rebuilt and strengthened his back line.
At the heart of the new defensive structure will be 31-year-old veteran Talitha Kramer, who transferred from Wellington Phoenix. She will provide the kind of leadership in the back line that was lacking after Polkinghorne left. She will be joined by the talented young defender Jamilla Rankin, who was a key part of Australia’s Under 20 Women’s World Cup squad in August.
Above: Brisbane Roar’s Larissa Crummer (right) has been a regular member of the Matildas squad this year. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
The midfield will be contested by Matildas superstar, Katrina Gorry, who has spent the last six months playing at Swedish club Vittsjö, where she has scored three goals and bagged three assists. Since returning from giving birth last year, Gorry has become an essential part of the Matildas. In her last season with the Roar, Gorry scored four goals and bagged a whopping seven assists, which was the second most in the league.
Gorry is a midfield workhorse. She’s aggressive and wins a lot of challenges. She can score from distance, and last season she proved she can nail penalty kicks too. Gorry will be working alongside captain and fellow midfielder, Ayesha Norrie, and the newly signed French international, Margot Robinne, who transferred from Canberra United.
Leading the attack will be Matildas striker, Larissa Crummer, who was the Roar’s leading goal scorer last season with eight goals. Alongside her will be American international, Shea Connors, who won the Golden Boot with 15 goals for APIA Leichhardt FC in the most recent NPLW season in NSW. Connors scored seven goals for the Roar last season. Her ability to read the plays and her lightning-fast pace means that she will be a menace to any defensive line.
McPherson basically rebuilt the Roar last year from the ground up. This year, if he can solve their defensive woes and tighten up their late game management, they will be a serious threat, and could challenge for a spot in the finals.
CANBERRA UNITED:
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Above: Canberra United unveil new signings (left to right) Rebecca Burrows, Grace Jale, and Grace Taranto with head coach Njegosh Popovic. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra last season had a very uncharacteristic and disappointing campaign for their very high standards as a team. Despite this, Michelle Heyman seriously showed everyone exactly why she is without a doubt one of the very best players to have ever graced the A-League Women as she proved time and time again during the season to be a significant difference maker for Canberra.
In regards to the recruitment of players made by Canberra for this upcoming season of the A-League Women they are as follows:
Chloe Lincoln and Keeley Richards have stayed at the club with Lincoln having signed on for the following season as well. Canberra additionally has brought in Keely Segavcic from Northbridge Bulls FC in the FNSW League One Women’s.
Above: Ellie Brush is back at home town club Canberra United after five years away. Photo: Canberra Times.
Emma Ilijoski and Hayley Taylor-Young are back in defence on two-year contracts while Lauren Keir has left the club moving to fellow A-League Women’s side Western Sydney Wanderers. In her place has come Ellie Brush from Sydney FC, Holly Murray from South Melbourne in the NPLW Victoria, and Grace Taranto from Adelaide United.
Midfielders Sasha Grove, Laura Hughes, and Grace Maher will be continuing at the club for the season ahead with Grove signing for an additional year while Margot Robinne and Holly Caspers have left for Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers respectively. They have been replaced by Rebecca Burrows and Emily Roach from Heidelberg United in the NPLW Victoria as well as Vesna Milivojević from ŽFK Spartak Subotica in Serbia.
Nickoletta Flannery’s return from an ACL injury is a massive boost up front as was the news that and Michelle Heyman joined her on a two-year contract. Also coming in are Grace Jale from Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract and Ellen Gett from Brisbane Roar.
Canberra as a whole is looking like an incredibly strong team with the combination of youth and experience being massively prominent throughout the entire squad. It bodes extremely well for the club in many ways and possibly making last season just an outlier for them. The fact they boast a frontline of Michelle Heyman, Grace Jale, and Nickoletta Flannery will make Canberra a massive threat to any team. I can very much see Canberra this season finishing in the top four.
MELBOURNE CITY:
by Jonathan Tay
Above: Hannah Wilkinson, a key part of last season’s Melbourne City side, is back for another season as part of a very strong looking team assembled by Rado Vidosic. Photo: Melbourne City.
After a disappointing 2020/21 where they easily missed the Finals, Melbourne City finished second in 2021/22, pushing Sydney FC right to the last matchday weekend for the Premiership.
Under head coach Rado Vidosic, they curated a possession-hungry, press-heavy brand of football led by a spine of veteran ANZ internationals, in striker Hannah Wilkinson, midfielder Rebekah Stott, captain Emma Checker, and ageless goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
Their ball-dominant play resulted in a league-leading average of 55.4%, and was propped up by diligence in defence, where they allowed their opposition just 3.6 passes per defensive action (also first amongst all clubs). Over the regular season, they scored the third-most goals (29) and conceded the second-fewest (11).
Wilkinson led the attack superbly, picking up 14 goals (from chances worth just nine expected goals) and the A-League Golden Boot. But she was also healthily supported by breakout seasons from forwards Holly McNamara (four goals and three assists in eight matches), Rhianna Pollicina (seven goals, three assists), and wingback Kaitlyn Torpey.
Where City came undone was in their lack of squad depth, particularly noticeable when one of Wilkinson, Stott (SheBelieves Cup) or McNamara (ACL injury) were missing. They bowed out to eventual champions Melbourne Victory in the Preliminary Final.
This off-season, the club has looked to rectify that issue, with eyes on building upon last season’s performances. Vidosic seemingly used his Young Matildas assistant coaching gig as a bit of a recruitment drive, bringing in forward Bryleeh Henry from Western Sydney, and 16-year-old wonderkid Daniela Galic. Both started all three group games for Australia in their U-20 World Cup campaign, alongside current City players Sally James and Naomi Chinnama.
Checker was a stabilising defensive presence in Melbourne’s backline, playing every single minute of the regular season in 21/22. A key initiator of possession and distributor of the ball, the captain will be leaned upon again this time round, coming back from an offseason stint in the Damallsvenskan with Umeå IK FF.
Above: A key part of the Melbourne City squad – Emma Checker. Photo: Melbourne City.
She will however be mustering a brand new backline around her, with the absences of Winona Heatley (move to FC Nordsjælland) and Tori Tumeth (ACL injury). City will be hoping to see step-ups from youngsters Chinnama and Chelsea Blissett, having also brought in Karly Roestbakken, who’s been on the fringes of the senior Australian squad.
The biggest question mark for Melbourne City remains their midfield. Rebekah Stott leaves a hole in the middle of the pitch, having headed to Brighton and Hove Albion in England. For all their time on the ball last season, at times City were neutered by an inability to break down low blocks of defence, and carve out shots and chances. They were middle of the pack in fifth for both shot-creating and goal-creating actions, despite having one of the highest passing volumes in the A-League.
Another New Zealander in Katie Bowen has come in as a more defensively-minded central midfielder. With 85 Football Ferns caps and two Olympic campaigns under her belt, City will look to leverage that experience in an otherwise youthful engine room. Leticia McKenna is an option having shown some spark in limited minutes with two assists and the fourth-highest combined expected goals and expected assists per 90. Darcy Malone and Galic will also have legitimate opportunities to fight for game time.
This is a Melbourne City team that is again well-positioned to earn a spot in the top four this season. With the continuity of Vidosic and his proactive footballing principles, they will have a tactical superiority over most sides in the competition. The challenge for City will be overcoming the big guns of the Liberty A-League, Sydney FC, and crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory. Time will tell whether their offseason additions will be able to take them that one step further.
MELBOURNE VICTORY:
by Kieran Yap
Above: Young gun Paige Zois, seen here in action for Bulleen Lions during the most recent NPLW Victoria season, will play a key role in Melbourne Victory’s campaign. Photo: Bulleen Lions.
The two-time champions have undergone some changes in the off-season, but are well-positioned to win a third consecutive grand final.
The squad going into 2022/23 is in some ways the reverse of 2021/22. Last year, they began with a strong defence, but one lacking in options. Polly Doran, Kayla Morrison, Claudia Bunge and Courtney Nevin were joined in defence by returning goalkeeper Casey Dumont.
On paper, it looked like a difficult side to score against, but it took only one significant injury to Morrison to create a domino effect throughout the team.
Up front, Victory’s forward line looked like one of the most dangerous ever assembled in Australia. Although Melina Ayres was injured, they still boasted Catherine Zimmerman, Alex Chidiac, Lia Privitelli, Harriet Withers, and American superstar Lynn Williams.
They had few problems scoring goals, or creating chances, but with midfielders filling in at centre back and attacking midfielders like Kyra Cooney-Cross shifting to deeper roles, Victory was rarely at their very best.
Despite this, coupled with an incredibly congested schedule and a COVID outbreak, Victory rallied and after scraping into fourth on goal difference, fought their way admirable to a second consecutive Grand Final win away to Sydney FC.
Coming in to 2022/23 Jeff Hopkins has once again recruited well. This season, their attacking options are slightly less in numbers but still high in quality. Privitelli has enjoyed a strong season with Bulleen in Victoria’s NPLW, Zimmerman is back and as the hero of the finals series, Ayres.
Above: Alex Chidiac – impressive for the Matildas recently – her return to Melbourne Victory is a massive bvoost for Jeff Hopkins’ side. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
This time, it is in defence where they have significant depth. Morrison and Bunge are reunited in the centre of defence, but Hopkins has also added Jessika Nash, Nat Tathem, and Gema Simon. The three new arrivals are experienced and versatile. The likelihood of stylish midfielder Tiffany Eliadis or Grand Final goalscorer Amy Jackson filling in at centre back are very low.
What this means is that Victory’s talented midfield can be at their best, supported by a strong defence and aided by a dangerous attack.
Alana Murphy will return. The young midfielder impressed last season with her composure in midfield that belied her age. Paige Zois is another who could make a major impact. After being on the edges of the first team in 2021/22, the skilful playmaker enjoyed a dominant NPLW season and earned a call-up to the Young Matildas squad for the Under 20 World Cup.
Victory will be stronger this season, even if Chidiac and Cooney-Cross do not return. They have a fully fit Melina Ayres and an ever-improving Zimmerman to score the goals and will be difficult to score against.
Beattie Goad has also joined. Given Victory’s defensive stocks the former Tenerife full-back will likely return to the midfield role she played with Bulleen and Melbourne City.
Goad will add another level or versatility and skill to the side. She has the ability to link the midfield and attack, while also playing in wider position if required.
Victory is well-positioned to counter what the other contending sides have to offer. Another Grand Final appearance is expected and will likely be achieved even if they are beaten to first place on the ladder.
NEWCASTLE JETS:
by Johnathan Stack
Above: The arrival of Ausralian international Teigan Allen is a major signing for Newcastle Jets. Photo: Michael Dodge.
Newcastle Jets will be going into the new Liberty A-League campaign looking to improve on last season. With back-to-back eighth-place finishes, the Jets will be searching for their overdue rise up the ladder.
Ash Wilson was re-appointed back in May of this year for her third campaign at the helm. Under her last season, the Jets only amassed two wins as well as finishing eighth out of 10 clubs, so she will be looking for improvements.
As the Jets prepare for the season opener on 19th November away against Brisbane Roar there has been many changes.
Club icon Gema Simon moved on to pastures new after 13 years and over 130 matches at Grand Final winners Melbourne Victory. Also departing the club were Sophie Harding, Sunny Franco, Bethany Gordon, Tiana Jaber, Kirsty Fenton, Marie Markussen, and Elizabeth Eddy came to the end of her loan.
Staying for the 2022/23 season are Jets captain Cassidy Davis, youngster Lara Gooch who re-signed on a scholarship deal, Josie Allan signed her first senior deal from the club’s academy, defender Taren King, goalkeeper Claire Coelho, defender Lucy Johnson, striker Tara Andrews, attacker Ash Brodigan, attacker Lauren Allan, and youngster Josie Morely are on board.
Above: Tara Andrews – always an integral part of the Newcastle Jets team. Photo: Newcastle Jets.
Coming in for the Jets this season are several new players brought in by Wilson in the hope that it will send them in the right direction. Leila Puxty from NPL side Adamstown Rosebuds, American defender Emily Garnier who has European experience having previously been at Napoli Femminile from NWSL side Chicago Red Stars, Chloe Walandouw from the Jets Academy, Matilda Teigan Allen has been brought in from Western Sydney Wanderers, American defender Cannon Clough from Brisbane Roar, Tessa Tamplin from Servette FC in Switzerland, and goalkeeper Georgina Worth.
Jets have also signed Maitland Magpies captain Sophie Stapleford, striker Adriana Konjarski from NPL side Warners Bay FC. The third American joining the club this season is forward Murphy Agnew having recently spent time playing in Iceland and finally versatile attacking player Sarah Griffith comes in from NWSL Chicago Red Stars.
Having bolstered the defensive ranks for this upcoming season it is likely that Wilson will opt for a defensive formation such as the 4-2-3-1 she favoured last season. This will aim to achieve defensive stability early on in the season and will hopefully give the side more consistency throughout the campaign.
After a busy off-season at Newcastle Jets, things look to be slowly falling into place. The club may not find themselves in finals this year, but improvements have been made. It will be interesting to see if this overhaul of Newcastle Jets pays off.
PERTH GLORY:
by Ben Gilby
Above: Perth Glory’s Sofia Sakalis (centre) is in the form of her life and could well be one of the top players in the competition this coming season. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images.
Whilst Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC took the silverware last season, Perth Glory emerged with the respect of the women’s footballing community in Australia with Alex Epakis’ side having a sensational campaign despite everything seemingly conspiring against them.
Due to Western Australia’s tight border restrictions, Glory only played one home game and then spent the remainder of the season based almost 4,000 km away (2485 miles), but fired by a contingent of the country’s hottest young talent, only missed out on Finals football on goal difference.
With good reason, there is huge confidence in the West that this season will see them go one better at least. Macedonia Park will be a cauldron, particularly under lights as Perth will get to experience the advantage that home games afford them on a regular basis for the first time since 2020.
Above: Perth Glory fans delivered a raucous atmosphere at the club’s only home game at Macedonia Park last season. Photosupplied by: Perth Glory.
On top of the partisan nature of a WA crowd and the implications of the opposition spending hours on a plane just to get to the west coast, Alex Epakis has, without question the strongest overall squad that the club has had since their last Grand Final appearance in 2019.
Last year’s major rebuild brought in a large crop of talent on multi-year contracts, meaning the likes of Alana Jancevski, Sarah Cain, Susan Phonsongkham, Sofia Sakalis, and Claudia Mihocic were already confirmed to be in purple, with local talent such as Hana Lowry, Abbey Green, Bella Wallhead, and Tijan McKenna also on board. Epakis moved quickly at the end of last season to successfully extend the contract of Cyera Hintzen, whose physicality and sharpness in front of goal were so impressive last time round.
Perth’s head coach has also bolstered his already strong squad with further arrivals as home town hero Ella Mastrantonio returned along with former Brisbane Roar American attacker Rylee Baisden.
Above: Perth Glory’s home produced star Hana Lowry, who represented the Young Matildas at the U20 World Cup in August. Image: Football Australia.
On the negative side of the ledger, the loss of Deborah-Ann de la Harpe back home to New South Wales is huge, as the new Sydney FC signing was a stand-out player for the Glory last season, but Perth can point to the presence of the experienced heads of Tash Rigby and Kim Carroll at the back
Going into pre-season, the team has a large number of players who have had stellar campaigns in various NPLW competitions. Sakalis and Cain jointly won the Most Valuable Player award in the Victoria competition, Wallhead, Mihocic, and Wallhead all caught the eye in the same league, Morgan Aquino was a Grand Finalist in the NSW competition and both Hintzen and Phonsongkham enjoyed a sensational season in Iceland. On top of this Lowry was part of the Young Matildas side which played in the U20 World Cup in August.
Perth Glory have a team of players who are ready to hit the ground running. Sakalis is going to be an absolute gun, and Jancevski is always a firecracker all over the pitch. There is so much to be excited about in this squad, and qualifying for the top four is the minimum that Perth should aim for.
SYDNEY FC:
by Kris Goman
Above: Cortnee Vine, Impetus‘ A-League Women player of the year last season, is now a regular international starter and will have a major influence on Sydney FC’s season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Sydney enter the 22-23 A-League Women (ALW) season as premiers from last season, but once again, were pipped at the post by Melbourne Victory in another close Grand Final ending in a 2-1 win for the arch rivals.
It was Sydney’s fifth Grand Final appearance in a row, of which they won just one. They’ve been to the Grand Final nine times in total but only hoisted the trophy three times and they’ll be looking to change that result this year.
Once again Sydney have managed to maintain the core of the premiership winning squad, including retaining superstar Matildas forward, Cortnee Vine who was briefly looking for a European side to join. And this is the real strength of the Sydney FC team, having a well-oiled group that understands each other, knows what everyone is going to do and where they will be. The lack of upheaval each year must make it very easy for Ante Juric, himself a rusted-on part of the furniture in his sixth season with the club.
While they’ve lost Ellie Brush to Canberra, Angelique Hristodoulou to the Wanderers and gun forward Paige Satchell to Wellington Phoenix as well as Taylor Ray to yet another ACL injury (although she is training with the team and according to social media is now running so may appear mid-season), Remy Siemsen is expected to join the team once after her spell with Swedish team AIK which saw the Solna-based side relegated from the Damallsvenskan.
In terms of new players, Kiwi national team defender, Anna Green, Perth Glory escapee, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Young Matilda and ex Newcastle Jets player, Kirsty Fenton, will be tightening up the back line. In the midfield, Young Matilda Abbey Lemon and scholarship signing Anika Stajcic, yes, Alen Stajcic’s daughter, will bring new energy.
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby, back in sky blue. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
There’s plenty of excitement in the forwards with sisters Jynaya Rose Dos Santos (another Young Matilda) and Indiana Dos Santos (also on scholarship) and NWSL Chicago Red Stars and Stanford centre forward, Madison Haley coming on board. Shay Evans is also returning to Sydney after a stint with Adelaide United last season.
Seeing another season with the team and the real core is Captain, Natalie Tobin, Mackenzie Hawkesby, who has been rated as the most valuable player in the league in the fantasy football competition, Rachel Lowe, Charlotte Mclean, Sarah Hunter, Charlize Rule, afore-mentioned Cortnee Vine and keepers, Jada Whyman and Katie Offer as well as Shay Hollman and Mary Stanic-Floody who are both now on full-time contracts after scholarships last year.
A mix of youth and experience has always been the mainstay of Sydney FC and it’s a formula they are repeating again this season. Even the young players are very experienced with five Young Matildas and three Junior Matildas in the squad and they’ll all be keen to prove their talent. Having this sort of depth leaves Juric in an enviable position and Sydney FC will once again be a serious contender to take the premiership and maybe, finally get the double.
The first match of the year will be against Melbourne Victory and there’s going to be a few points to prove in the Grand Final replay. See it live at Cromer Park on Saturday 26th November at 3pm.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX:
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Above: Paige Satchell – one of a series of impressive new signings by Wellington Phoenix. Artwork: Wellington Phoenix.
The most important thing throughout Wellington’s debut campaign in the A-League Women last season was not so much the results but the fact that they kept improving as a squad and subsequently build team cohesion from match to match.
It needs to be said that despite finishing on the bottom of the table last season (only on goal difference), they showed adversity in defeat, and played better than results and the final ladder may have shown. They all did themselves incredibly proud.
As for this season, the recruitment of players made by Wellington for this upcoming season of the A-League Women is impressive. With the goalkeepers, it is unchanged from last season with Wellington captain Lily Alfeld and Brianna Edwards.
In defence, Mackenzie Barry, Zoe McMeeken, vice-captain Kate Taylor and Saskia Vosper will be continuing at the club while Talitha Kramer has left the club for Brisbane Roar. Coming in at the back are Claudia Cicco from APIA Leichhardt in the NPLW NSW and Marisa van der Meer from Melbourne City.
Above: Betsy Hassett’s arrival adds vital experience to the Wellington Phoenix squad this season. Photo: Ian Hitchcock.
There is quality in midfield as Isabel Gomez, Chloe Knott, Alyssa Whinham and Grace Wisnewski have remained at the club Knott and Whinham on two-year contracts. They have been joined by experienced New Zealand international Betsy Hassett. The 135-cap Football Fern comes in from Stjarnan from Iceland.
There have been changes up front. Ava Pritchard has stayed on while last season’s top goalscorer Grace Jale has joined Canberra United. In her place has come Michaela Robertson from the club’s Academy and the hugely impressive arrival of Kiwi international Paige Satchell from Sydney FC.
Whilst Jale’s loss is significant as half of the goals that Wellington scored last season came from her, the experience that Betsy Hassett brings to the club and the unlimited potential that exists with so many of their young players means this squad are hungry for success. I can see Wellington finishing this season a very respectable seventh.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS:
by Kris Goman
Above: Clare Hunt – a major part of the Western Sydney Wanderers squad. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
Western Sydney Wanderers have scored a massive coup in snapping up Tom Sermani as the Head of Women’s football. They are the only club in the league who have appointed someone to this sort of position and Sermani comes as one of the most experienced managers in the women’s game, having previously coached the Matildas twice, the Football Ferns most recently, and other teams like Orlando Pride and New York Power.
Cath Canuli was let go after one season as head coach last year and she’s been replaced by Kat Smith. Smith will concentrate on management of the senior team while Sermani is responsible for overseeing the Liberty A-League side, development programs, and the recruitment strategy.
Sermani’s brief is to set the foundations for the women’s program and to create a new culture and environment at the club. Smith has been Assistant Coach with the Junior Matildas and was Assistant Coach for Melbourne Victory in 2018. She’s considered one of the best up and coming coaches in Australia and will be mentored by Sermani.
After making the finals for the first time ever in the 20-21 season, the 21-22 season ended disappointingly after a solid start. It’s not often a team hangs together on one player but losing Clare Hunt mid-season to an ACL injury made the difference for the Wanderers.
The good news is that she’s back for this season in defence and is joined by Angelique Hristodoulou from Sydney FC and Lauren Weir from Canberra, both excellent defenders in their own right. This looks like one of the most solid defensive lines in the competition. They are backed up by Junior Matilda Ella Abdul Massih, and Young Matilda, Sienna Saveska.
Between the sticks, in case anything actually gets through the defence, the Wanderers have imported Jordyn Bloomer from Racing Louisville in the NWSL. She only played during the Challenge Cup for Racing but was awarded the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the year in the 2021 and 2019 NCAA Tournaments so clearly has potential.
The experienced Sham Khamis is back for another year after backing up for Sarah Langman last season. Teresa Morrissey is a Young Matilda shotstopper who’s been playing in the US college system for Rhode Island while completing her degree. She’s back now and it should be a fight to see who gets playing time between these three.
Above: Angelique Hristodoulou, who has joined the Wanderers from crosstown rivals Sydney FC. Photo: Daniel Carson.
Wanderers seemed to have gone long on midfielders and it’s going to be a battle to decide who to play. As there’s a lot less choice of forwards and pure defenders, it’s logical that some might play up or back and they may have to if there’s any injuries. The exciting news is that Amy Harrison is back home after playing for PSV in the Netherlands. The Matilda grew up in Western Sydney so should feel right at home and bring valuable European experience.
Remaining from last year, is Danika Matos, Olivia Price, Football Fern; Malia Steinmetz, Young Matilda, Alexia Apostolakis and Young Matildas Captain, Sheridan Gallagher. New for the midfielders this year is Melissa Caceres, local Bethany Gordon coming from the Newcastle Jets and on scholarship, Young Matilda, Amy Chessari.
A potentially exciting signing is that of Theresa Boade from the NWSL. She’s made five appearances for the North Carolina Courage and scored twice since, debuting during the Challenge Cup this year. So the midfield looks solid and versatile.
Intriguingly, Jitka Chlastakova is listed in Keep-Up fantasy football as being with the Wanderers but there’s no official announcement from the club as yet. She has played for Sparta Prague and is on the Czech National team but it remains to be seen if she’s on the team but would bring some much needed experience.
Where the Wander Woman seem a bit light on is in the forwards and this was a problem last season too. At the beginning of the season, while they conceded very few goals, they weren’t scoring many either. Bryleeh Henry showed plenty of potential but it didn’t convert to goals. Similarly with Teigan Collister, lots of gang busting runs but not so many goals.
Holly Caspers has signed for the Wanderers up front from Canberra where she had a successful first ALW season. Joining her from Newcastle Jets is Sophie Harding in her third ALW season. And from Wellington Phoenix comes Young Matilda, Cushla Rue. Gallagher can play up front too, still there’s no big names in the forwards and this is where the team might struggle a bit.
Sermani has put together a very young team and losing the experience of club stalwarts, Caitlin Cooper and Erica Halloway may tell. There’s six young Matildas and one Junior Matilda in the squad so the youth holds plenty of talent but the lack of experience may be their downfall. On the other hand, Smith has a team she can mold to her shape that will be very willing to learn.
The Wanderers have a first round bye so their first match is against the Newcastle Jets away at Scully Park on 26th November and their first home match is 3rd December at Marconi Stadium in the local derby against Sydney FC.
WESTERN UNITED:
by Kieran Yap
Above: Back in Australia – Western United’s big name signing ahead of their first A-League Women season – Chloe Logarzo. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
A new side in the A-League Women is something to get excited about. Western United’s first season comes on the back of years of work and a long-term plan. The club forged a link with Victoria’s NPLW champions Calder United.
United formed a development squad aimed at improving the skills of Victoria’s best-unsigned talent and giving an opportunity for players to earn an A-League contract.
The result of this and the recruiting skills of coach Mark Torcaso’s squad has a core group made up from Victoria’s best and some added some impressive signings.
Alana Cerne, Melissa Taranto, Adriana Taranto, Stacy Papadopoulos, Raquel Derales and Aleks Sinclair headline the arrivals from Calder United. Harriet Withers joins from Melbourne Victory and Khali Johnson arrives after the Under 20 World Cup adventure.
In midfield, Jaclyn Sawicki has been signed. The Philippines international will add some high-level experience to the young side. Alongside her is the biggest signing of the season. After two seasons away, Chloe Logazro is back in Australia.
Above: Aleks Sinclair is a renowned figure from the local football scene and will be a crucial part of Western United’s inaugeral season. Artwork: Western United.
Logarzo joins Western United to get some much-needed game time ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Her return to The Matildas from a year-long recuperation from a knee injury was one of the best moments of 2022, and the star midfielder will hope to add many more this domestic season.
Logazro is a game-changing midfielder. She can score spectacular goals and link the team together. Her defensive efforts equal her attacking threat and she will suit Torcaso’s style of football perfectly.
New sides can take time to adjust, but the addition of Sawicki and Logarzo means that although they will likely not win the league, Western United will be no easy prey for other sides.
This is a club that has built this squad to compete. The Calder United players are accustomed to success and Mark Torcaso has made winning a habit in his time in management.
Western United has the players to be an entertaining and competitive side. They will make for interesting viewing for neutrals and have the team in place to attract a fan base from the outset.
This will be an exciting season for the league’s newest team.
James Giblin provides all the details from Sunday’s game at Jericho Lane in both words and photographs (16/11/22).
Liverpool Feds Development 1-2 Pilkington
Above: Pilkington control the ball at Liverpool Feds Development on Sunday. Photo: James Giblin.
On Sunday, Pilks traveled to Jericho Lane to face Liverpool Feds Development in the Liverpool Women’s & Youth Football League Division One, in a highly anticipated game due to the reverse fixture only being played two weeks ago.
The first ten minutes were end to end with both teams looking to secure that early goal, Liverpool Feds secured a goal shortly after. It was going to be a tough task for Pilks to pick themselves up and try to secure a goal before halftime, but they were given a penalty on the 20 minute mark which was scored by Chloe Fairclough.
Above: Chloe Fairclough scores for Pilkington from the penalty spot. Photo: James Giblin.
Pilks pushed for that second goal which come just before halftime, this one was scored by Bec Birchall.
In the second half, Liverpool Feds pushed to try and secure an equaliser but they couldn’t get that second goal. The game finished 2-1 and it’s another three points on the board for Pilkington who travel to Marine next week in a very tough test.
Above: Pilkington get a shot away at Liverpool Feds Development. Photo: James Giblin.
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