Pre-season is almost over – and with the advent of the 2023-24 A-Leagues campaigns comes new signings, new kits – and the confirmation of the leaders at each club.
Ahead of the Liberty A-League Women season kicking off on October 14, and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men season on October 20, these are all the club captain’s confirmed so far.
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Adelaide United
Liberty A-League Women captain: Isabel Hodgson
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Ryan Kitto
There’s a new skipper at the Reds after the departure of Socceroo Craig Goodwin to Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League – and it’s Ryan Kitto. The Adelaide native has 181 appearances for the club, and will be supported by vice-captains Isaias, Joe Gauci and Ben Hallroan.
“I am deeply honoured to have been named captain of Adelaide United and I can’t wait to lead the boys out onto the park this season,” Kitto said upon receiving the armband.
“I have loved this club and everything it stands for even before I made my debut, and I feel privileged every time I step out onto Coopers Stadium.”
Adelaide’s Liberty A-League captain Isabel Hodgson will continue to lead the club in 2023-24, but will miss the start of the season due to a foot injury.
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Brisbane Roar
Liberty A-League Women captain: Ayesha Norrie
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Tom Aldred
There’s consistency across the board at Brisbane Roar, with the club’s two sides both heading into the new season with the same captains as in 2022-23.
Ayesha Norrie will captain the Liberty A-League side for the third season running.
“I’m very excited, there will be some new faces as well as some old faces so I’m excited to get back with the girls and get started,” Norrie said.
“It’s still a learning curve, but as the years go on, I do feel more confident and there’s always skills and knowledge that I can pass on to the team,” she added.
English central defender Tom Aldred will continue to lead the club’s Isuzu UTE A-League outfit, as he has done since the start of the 2019-20 season.
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Canberra United
Liberty A-League Women captain: Michelle Heyman
One of the all-time greats is lacing up the boots to go around once again for Canberra United.
Michelle Heyman is the all-time Liberty A-League appearance maker and the league’s all-time top scorer. The Matildas legend will wear the armband at Canberra for another season.
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Central Coast Mariners
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Danny Vukovic
Liberty A-League Women captain: Taren King
After winning the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship, the Mariners have undergone a massive off-season overhaul, with a number of key players heading to overseas clubs off the back of their superb form in 2022-23.
But one thing has remained the same: veteran goalkeeper Danny Vukovic wearing the captain’s armband.
For the first time since 2009, the Mariners will compete in both A-Leagues competitions this season, as the club rejoins the Liberty A-League for the 2023-24 campaign.
Mariners head coach Emily Husband has appointed 26-year-old Taren King as the club captain, with Matildas forward Kyah Simon named vice-captain in a leadership group comprising of Bianca Galic, Faye Bryson and Annalise Rasmussen.
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Macarthur FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Ulises Dávila
Ulises Dávila will captain Macarthur FC for the third season running in 2023-24. The Mexican will hope to see more minutes this season after a knee injury cut his 2022-23 campaign short.
Melbourne City
Liberty A-League Women captain: Rebekah Stott
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Jamie Maclaren
Rebekah Stott is back at Melbourne City in the Liberty A-League, completing a full-circle journey back to the club where she holds the record as the club’s all-time Liberty A-League appearance maker.
On the men’s side, long-standing captain Scott Jamieson’s retirement opened the door for the Isuzu UTE A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer, Jamie Maclaren, to step into the senior role for the 2023-24 season. Mathew Leckie, Andrew Nabbout and Jamie Young will serve as vice-captains to Maclaren.
Melbourne Victory
Liberty A-League Women captain: Kayla Morrison
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Roderick Miranda
Roderick Miranda is named Victory captain in the Isuzu UTE A-League for the first time after two seasons in the club’s senior leadership team.
Miranda has made 43 league appearances since joining the club in 2021, and replaces Josh Brillante as the skipper.
There’s no change in the Liberty A-League ranks for Victory as Kayla Morrison retains the armband for the third season running.
Newcastle Jets
Liberty A-League Women captain: TBA
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: TBA
Perth Glory
Liberty A-League Women captain: Natasha Rigby
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Adam Taggart & Mark Beevers
There’s a change in the leadership group at Perth Glory, with new head coach Alen Stajcic naming co-captains to replace Mustafa Amini, who led the team through the 2022-23 season under former boss Ruben Zadkovich.
Stajcic has named central defender Mark Beevers and striker Adam Taggart as his co-captains for 2023-24; the women’s side will be led by Natasha Rigby for the fifth season running.
Sydney FC
Liberty A-League Women captain: Natalie Tobin
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Luke Brattan
Nat Tobin will captain Sydney FC into the new Liberty A-League season after lifting both the Premiers Plate and Championship trophy as Sky Blues skipper in 2022-23. But there’s an enforced change on the men’s side, with Luke Brattan replacing club legend Alex Wilkinson after his end-of-season retirement.
“This is a huge honour and this is such a great club. I have enjoyed every minute of my five years here,” Brattan said.
“Wilko (Wilkinson) was one of the best captains I have ever played under and I learned a lot from him,” he added.
Wellington Phoenix
Liberty A-League Women captain: Annalie Longo
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Alex Rufer
Welington Phoenix have a new captain in the Liberty A-League in 131-time Football Fern Annalie Longo.
The 32-year-old has won two Liberty A-League Championships, one with Sydney FC in 2013 and another in 2021 with Melbourne Victory, but described moving to Phoenix to play her first season of professional football in her home country as a “childhood dream”. That move was capped off with the announcement that she’d take the armband ahead of the new season.
“It’ll be an honour and a privilege to lead the side out this season,” Longo – who had agreed to play for the Phoenix in 2022-23 before injury ruined that plan – said following Wednesday’s announcement.
“I have so much belief in the squad and they’ve laid some very good foundations over the past two years. I want to continue that legacy, push forward and bring success to the club.
“There’s a really nice blend of experience and youthfulness in the group. We want to create a team full of leaders and if I can help drive the standards and togetherness of the group we’ll really push on and have a good season together.”
Longo will be supported by vice-captains Chloe Knott and Michaela Foster, while Alex Rufer will continue to lead the Phoenix men’s outfit.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Liberty A-League Women captain: Amy Harrison
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Marcelo
Fringe Matildas midfielder Amy Harrison has replaced outgoing Clare Hunt as club captain for the 2023-24 Liberty A-League season.
Harrison is a Western Sydney local who, in 2019, took part in the club’s most successful season in the league to date: a fourth-placed finish.
“It’s super important for me to represent the Western Sydney region,” said Harrison.
“As a Western Sydney girl, I know what the area stands for and how passionate the community is.
“It’s a unique group of people who come from different parts of life and I am so proud to represent our Wanderers family.”
Brazilian central defender Marcelo will captain the Wanderers’ men’s outfit through the 2023-24 season.
Western United
Liberty A-League Women captain: Jacyln Sawicki & Chloe Logarzo
Isuzu UTE A-League Men captain: Josh Risdon
Western United have announced Jacyln Sawicki and Chloe Logarzo as co-captains of their Liberty A-League side for the 2023-24 season.
Sawicki was the club’s inaugraul captain of their A-League Women’s side last season, leading the side to the Grand Final on the first time of asking, while Logarzo served as one of their vice-captains.
New signing Grace Maher has been appointed vice-captain after arriving from Canberra United.
“For a young group heading into our second season, it is crucial that we have strong leaders on and off the pitch and Jackie, Chloe and Grace are perfect examples of that,” Western coach Mark Torcaso said.
“Their vast experience and qualities as people make them perfect leaders for our group and a dream for a coach to work with. We are delighted to have them on our side and look forward to their influence being felt this season.”
Meanwhile, Josh Risdon has been named the club’s second ever captain of Western’s Isuzu UTE A-League side.
He replaces the recently retired Alessandro Diamanti as Western’s skipper, after serving as vice-captain for the last two seasons.
Steven Lustica and Tomoki Imai have been appointed vice-captains.
“Josh, Tomoki and Steven are all key voices in the dressing room and are a delight for me as a coach to have leading our group,” coach John Aloisi said.
“Their influence and ability to get the best out of their peers will be crucial for us this season, and I am looking forward to watching their impact on the pitch each week.”
