The Westfield W-League may be at the beginning of its off season, but players around the country are not slowing down as they prepare for PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues.
The winter season will be vital for players aiming for selection in the Westfield Junior Matildas and Westfield Young Matildas, who have qualified for the AFC Women’s U-16 Asian Cup (September) and AFC Women’s U-19 Asian Cup (October) respectively.
PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s is the first state to kick off with the 10-team competition starting on Saturday.
With Westfield W-League players scattered around the Victorian clubs, here are some of the names to look out for.
You can follow PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria via www.nplvic.com.au and at facebook.com/wnplvic & @nplwvictoria
Adelaide United: Adelaide duo Grace Abbey, a Westfield Young Matilda, and Ally Ladas have both arrived in Melbourne and will link up with Heidelberg United, coached by Westfield Matildas legend and former Adelaide United player Melissa Barbieri.
Brisbane Roar: After an interrupted Westfield W-League season due to a fractured fibula, Cortnee Vine(pictured below) is ready to take on the Melbourne winter. The Westfield Young Matilda from Brisbane is set to play at Heidelberg United.
Melbourne City: Two-time Westfield W-League champion Amy Jackson will play at Alamein FC, while young gun Melina Ayres will play at South Melbourne. Melbourne City squad members to keep an eye out for include Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, Emily Shields and Olivia Ellis (FC Bulleen Lions), Rachel Binning (Calder United), Hayley Richmond (Box Hill United), Erin Hudson (Alamein) and Kelsey Quinn (Geelong Galaxy United).
Melbourne Victory: Regular Westfield W-League starters Alex Natoli (FC Bulleen Lions), Gulcan Koca (Calder United) and Annabel Martin (Geelong Galaxy United) will be key pillars of their respective PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s teams. MelindaJ Barbieri (FFV NTC) is the reigning PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s best and fairest.
South Melbourne has secured the services of Victory duo Alex Gummer and Alex Cheal, while other Victory players include Lia Privitelli (FC Bulleen Lions), Laura Spiranovic, Kariah White, Adriana Taranto, Melissa Taranto and Emily Kenshole (Geelong Galaxy United), and Bethany Mason-Jones and Rachel Alonso (Calder United).
Perth Glory: 20-year-old midfielder Caitlin Doeglas, who set the record this season for the fastest ever Westfield W-League goal, has crossed the country to play at Alamein FC. Melissa Maizels, a Victorian goalkeeper who spent the Westfield W-League season at Perth, returns to Alamein FC also.
Ones to watch: Victory regular of past seasons Enza Barilla is part of defending PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s champion Calder United along with fellow former Victory player Cindy Lay. Victory 2015/16 squad member Whitney Knight is on track to return from a long term injury with Geelong Galaxy United, while Westfield Young Matildas selection Teresa Morrissey is also rehabbing with a view to playing for FFV’s NTC team. Other players to watch in the FFV NTC are Westfield Junior Matildas players Sofia Sakalis and Kyra Cooney-Cross, both of whom spent summer training with Melbourne City.
Up in the air: Current Westfield Matildas Emma Checker (Alamein FC) and Alex Chidiac (Heidelberg United) have both been announced as having committed to PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s, however national team duty has delayed the potential arrival of both.
PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Women’s kicks off on Saturday, follow via www.nplvic.com.au and at facebook.com/wnplvic & @nplwvictoria
