Newcastle Jets have pulled off a coup for the 2023-24 Liberty A-League season, signing star forward Melina Ayres.
The Matildas hopeful makes the move to Newcastle after spending the past six years with Melbourne Victory, where she won two A-League Women Championships in 2021 and 2022 and a Premiership in 2019.
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Ayres was also part of Melbourne City’s Championship-winning side in 2017.
It’s a statement signing for the Jets, who finished second-bottom last term and have not made the finals since 2017-18.
“I’m excited to join Newcastle Jets and link up with Gary van Egmond for a new phase of my
career,” said the former Junior and Young Matilda, who has scored 30 goals in 84 appearances across all competitions for both Victory and City.
“This is a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth and success of the Jets A-League Women’s program. I’m also anticipating enjoying life in Newcastle, finding the best surfing spots and embracing the football community in the Hunter region.”
Ayres enjoyed a breakout season in 2022-23, knocking on the door of international selection and a maiden Matildas cap after scoring a Liberty A-League career-high 12 goals in 13 matches.
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The 24-year-old also bagged an unforgettable hat-trick in the dramatic semi-final win over Melbourne City before losing to eventual champions Sydney FC in the Preliminary Final.
She became only the second player in the competition’s history to score a hat-trick in the Finals Series after superstar Matildas captain Sam Kerr, who achieved the same feat at Perth Glory in 2019. In fact, Ayres has done it not once, but twice, scoring her first finals hat-trick in the 2021 Semi Final win over Brisbane Roar.
At the end of last season, she signed a loan deal with Icelandic outfit Breidablik, where she scored two goals in nine games.
Ayres is the fourth new face at the Jets, who have also brought in Rebecca Burrows (Canberra United), Sophie Hoban and Claudia Cicco (Wellington Phoenix) following the departures of Lucy Johnson (Sydney FC) and Taren King (Central Coast Mariners).
Gary van Egmond’s Newcastle have also re-signed Lauren Allen, Lara Gooch and captain Cass Davis.
