The teams are in ahead of the 2023-24 Liberty A-League Grand Final – and there are big injury updates on both sides of the divide.
Melbourne City host Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday, May 4 in this season’s title decider, and the home side have been dealt an injury blow with 15-year-old Junior Matildas captain Shelby McMahon ruled out of action.
City head coach Dario Vidosic revealed that McMahon, who has two goals to her name in her debut campaign including a strike against Newcastle Jets in the Semi-Finals, suffered a contact injury against the Jets and will not be risked for Saturday’s Grand Final.
The news comes as City confirmed Matildas full-back Karly Roestbakken will not make the squad after succumbing to an ankle injury in the first leg of the Semi-Finals.
Meantime there’s good news for Sydney FC as head coach Ante Juric welcomes Fiona Worts back into the selection fold after more than four months on the sidelines.
Worts underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral collateral ligament in her knee in December and the club confirmed the Englishwoman would miss the remainder of the regular season. But the striker with three goals to her name in six appearances for Sydney has returned to full training, and is a chance to be included in Saturday’s Grand Final squad.
Read on for all the squad news ahead of the Liberty A-League title decider.
GRAND FINAL GUIDE: Everything you need to know
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Grand Final Ins & Outs
Melbourne City
Squad: 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Julia GROSSO, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emina EKIC, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Daniela GALIC, 88. BÁRBARA (GK)
Ins: 2. Leia VARLEY, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 21. Isabella ACCARDO (all promoted)
Outs: 12. Shelby McMAHON (shin)
Unavailable: 1. Sophia VARLEY (ankle), 9. Holly McNAMARA (ACL), 15. Kiera MEYERS (international duty), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (ankle)
Sydney FC
Squad: 1.Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Lucy JOHNSON, 7. Teigan COLLISTER, 9. Shea CONNORS, 11. Cortnee VINE, 13. Aideen KEANE, 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 18. Taylor RAY, 20. Princess IBINI ©, 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 23. Fiona WORTS, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER, 30. Tahlia FRANCO
Ins: 7. Teigan COLLISTER (promoted), 13. Aideen KEANE (promoted), 17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS (promoted), 23. Fiona WORTS (return from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5. Kirsty FENTON (injured), 10. Sienna SAVESKA (injured), 12. Nat TOBIN (injured), 26. Madeleine CASPERS (injured)
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