Get excited, folks. The start of the Liberty A-League season is just around the corner and the first lot of team news has dropped.
See who your club’s coach has named for the weekend ahead – and for fantasy managers, we’ll have your all important squad news for every club before you make your selections for the weekend.
If you haven’t signed up to Official A-Leagues Fantasy yet, do so today to compete for end-of-season cash prizes and weekly ticket giveaways! Then, read through the extended squads below to gauge which of the Liberty A-League stars to include in your 15-player roster.
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INS AND OUTS – ROUND 1
*NOTE: Western Sydney Wanderers have the bye
CANBERRA UNITED VS PERTH GLORY
Saturday November 19, McKellar Park, 3 PM (AEDT)
Canberra United squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS (GK), 2. Emily ROACH, 3. Grace TARANTO, 4. Holly MURRAY, 5. Emma ILIJOSKI, 6. Laura HUGHES, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Chengshu WU, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Grace JALE, 13. Sophia CHRISTOPHERSON, 14. Chloe MIDDLETON, 15. Madison McCOMASKY, 16. Kennedy FAULKNOR, 17. Vesna MILIVOJECIV, 18. Chloe LINCOLN, 19. Nickoletta FLANNERY, 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 24. Ellen GETT
Unavailable: Ellie BRUSH, Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG
Squad analysis: Experienced off-season recruit Ellie Brush doesn’t make Canberra’s squad for Round 1 – and neither does energetic full-back Hayley Taylor-Young. There’s plenty of firepower in this Canberra side, with Grace Jale, Nickoletta Flannery, Michelle Heyman, Grace Maher and Chinese international Wu Chengshu, who is in the mix for her Liberty A-League debut.
Fantasy Tip: Grace Jale excelled in a struggling Wellington Phoenix outfit last season. The New Zealand international could prove to be one of the signings of the season finding a settled position amongst the Canberra attack.
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Demi KOULIZAKIS, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11.Rylee BAISDEN, 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 13.Sarah CAIN, 15.Cyera HINTZEN, 16.Isabella WALLHEAD, 17.Abbey GREEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 20.Sarah LANGMAN (gk), 21.Ella MASTRANTONIO, 23.Alana JANCEVSKI, 42.Gabriella COLEMAN
Unavailable: 22.Claudia MIHOCIC (injured), 24.Milan HAMMOND (injured)
Squad analysis: Perth Glory boss Alex Epakis takes a familiar looking squad into the new campaign, with many of the stars of last season’s incredible late push toward the top four going back around in 2022-23. Off-season recruit and fringe Matildas midfielder Ella Mastrantonio is the eye-catching name in Glory’s Round 1 squad, bringing much-needed experience to a team laden with some of the best young talent in the land.
Fantasy Tip: United States import Cyera Hintzen scored five goals in nine games last season. Like many overseas arrivals, Hintzen will stand to benefit from attacking a fresh campaign with one season under her belt – could the 25-year-old be Perth’s key attacking asset in 2022-23?
BRISBANE ROAR VS NEWCASTLE JETS
Saturday November 19, Perry Park, 3 PM (AEDT)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Isabella SHUTTLEWORTH (gk), 2. Annabel HAFFENDEN, 3.Jessie RASSCHAERT, 4.Kijah STEPHENSON, 5.Jamilla RANKIN, 6.Holly MCQUEEN, 7.Ayesha NORRIE(c), 8.Mariel HECHER, 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 11. Sharn FREIER, 12.Shea CONNORS, 13.Tamar LEVIN, 18.Teagan THOMPSON, 19.Hollie PALMER, 20.Georgia BEAUMONT, 23.Kajsa LIND, 21.Mia BAILEY (gk), 31.Aleeah DAVERN, 51.Hensley HANCUFF (gk), 78.Margot ROBBINE
IN: 18. Teagan THOMPSON (Injury replacement for 17.Talitha KRAMER)
OUT: 17. Talitha KRAMER (Knee Injury)
UNAVAILABLE: 10.Katrina GORRY
Squad analysis: Katrina Gorry will sit out the early weeks of the new season as a period of rest and reinvigoration after a gruelling season of football both at home, overseas and on the international stage. Talitha Kramer misses Round 1 through a knee injury and is replaced by Teagan Thompson in the Roar squad.
Fantasy tip: Shea Connors scored four goals in four games to end last season on a high as Brisbane’s equal-top scorer (seven goals). It was her first full season in the Liberty A-League – expect the electric Roar forward to elevate her game in the new campaign.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Georgina WORTH 3. Emily GARNIER 4. Josie ALLAN 5. Leia PUXTY 6. Cass DAVIS 7. Chloe WALANDOUW 9. Tara ANDREWS 10. Sophie STAPLEFORD 11. Tessa TAMPLIN 12. Murphy AGNEW 13. Lauren ALLAN 14. Lucy JOHNSON 15. Sarah GRIFFITH 18. Taren KING 19. Ash BRODIGAN 20. Claire COELHO 22. Cannon CLOUGH 23. Teigen ALLEN 24. Josie MORLEY 29. Adriana KONJARSKI
Unavailable: Lara GOOCH
Squad analysis: Lara Gooch is the only member of the Jets squad unavailable for the Jets in Round 1.
Fantasy tip: Tessa Tamplin is back at the Jets this season after a one-season absence and will look to add an attacking presence from full-back.
WESTERN UNITED VS MELBOURNE VICTORY
Saturday November 19, City Vista Recreation Reserve, 3 PM (AEDT)
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa Dall’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 8. Jessica McDONALD, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 17. Raquel DERALAS, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO
Unavailable: 12. Harriet WITHERS (injured), 14. Natasha DAKIC (injured) *two to be omitted
Squad analysis: Get set for a special occasion at City Vista Recreation Reserve as Western United enter the Liberty A-League on Saturday afternoon. Inaugural signing Alana Cerne and Matildas star Chloe Logarzo headline the Western lineup, with Harriet Withers out through injury and unable to face her former side.
Fantasy tip: Expect Logarzo to build minutes through the opening weeks of the season – proceed with caution if depending on the Matildas midfielder for points early in the season. United States import Jessica McDonald is an exciting fantasy prospect; the striker is scoring goals in pre-season and could hit the ground running on Saturday afternoon.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Casey DUMONT, 2.Tiffany ELIADIS, 3.Claudia BUNGE, 5.Jessika NASH, 6.Beattie GOAD, 7. Gema SIMON, 8.Alana MURPHY, 9.Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 10.Alex CHIDIAC, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Paige ZOIS, 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 22.Ava BRIEDIS, 24.Anna LIACOPOULOS, 27.Rosie CURTIS
Squad analysis: The champions are back in action – and so is club captain Kayla Morrison who makes her long-awaited return from an ACL injury suffered in Round 1 of last season.
Off-season recruits Beattie Goad, Gema Simon, Natalie Tathem and Jessika Nash are exciting additions to Jeff Hopkins’ Round 1 squad.
Fantasy tip: Melina Ayres could be the fantasy steal of the season. After missing almost all of last season through injury, Ayres came back into the fray for finals and instantly began to find the back of the net with regularity. An off-season stint at Breiðablik in Iceland has Ayres flying toward Round 1 of the ALW campaign.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS MELBOURNE CITY
Sunday November 20, Sky Stadium, 1 PM (AEDT)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 2. Saskia VOSPER, 3. Kate TAYLOR, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 7. Chloe KNOTT, 9. Ava PRITCHARD, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Betsy HASSETT, 12, Brianna EDWARDS (gk), 13. Paige SATCHELL, 15. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 16. Emma ROLSTON, 17. Claudia CICCO, 18. Te Reremoana WALKER, 19. Charlotte LANCASTER, 20. Milly CLEGG, 21. Michaela FOSTER, 22. Georgia CANDY (gk).
Unavailable: 1. Lily ALFELD (gk) (injured), 6. Isabel GOMEZ (injured), 8. Grace WISNEWSKI (injured), 14. Michaela ROBERTSON (injured).
Squad analysis: The ‘Nix head into the new campaign with club captain Lily Alfeld sidelined after a minor knee operation in early November. The Phoenix skipper is one of four players who miss Round 1 through injury, including Isabel Gomez, Grace Wisnewkski and Michaela Robertson.
But there are some exciting names on the Phoenix squad list, including New Zealand internationals Betsy Hassett and Paige Satchell who bring experience to a young Wellington outfit.
Fantasy tip: Chloe Knott was one of Wellington’s key performers last season and expect 2022-23 to be no different. Knott pitched in with two goals and three assists last season in a team that scored only 13 goals – should the ‘Nix improve their scoring output under Natalie Lawrence, expect Knott’s fantasy scores to lift as a result.
Melbourne City FC squad: 1. Sally JAMES (GK), 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Julia GROSSO, 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 13. Emina EKIC, 14. Katie BOWEN, 15. Emma CHECKER (C), 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Maria Jose ROJAS, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Daniela GALIC, 25. Darcey MALONE.
Unavailable: 5. Tori TUMETH (ACL), 9. Holly MCNAMARA (ACL), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (foot), 17. Hannah WILKINSON (quad).
Squad analysis: Some of the new faces are in contention to debut this weekend including Emina Ekic, Katie Bowen, Julia Grosso, Bryleeh Henry and Daniela Galic. Straight after being announced as an injury-replacement player, Maria Jose Rojas is straight into the squad, but it remains to be seen whether she will start in place of Hannah Wilkinson. Karly Roestbakken (foot) is the only of the new signings to miss with injury.
Fantasy tip: Katilin Torpey shapes as a point of difference pick-up in fantasy circles, given she will more than likely find space to break up and down the flank. Emina Ekic could start and may see plenty of minutes with Holly McNamara still missing, while young star Daniela Galic may also get an opportunity
ADELAIDE UNITED VS SYDNEY FC
Sunday November 20, Service FM Stadium, 4 PM (AEDT)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Annalee GROVE (gk), 6.Jenna McCORMICK, 7.MelindaJ BARBIERI, 8.Emily CONDON, 9.Paige HAYWARD, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 11.Isabel HODGSON (c), 12.Nanako SASAKI, 13.Ella TONKIN, 14.Meisha WESTLAND, 15.Katie BOWLER, 16.Dylan HOLMES, 17.Zoe TOLLAND, 18.Sasha COOREY, 19.Maruschka WALDUS, 20.Jenna FARROW (gk), 21.Yuyi XIAO, 22.Emilia MURRAY, 23.Fiona WORTS, 26.Grace WILSON (gk)
Unavailable: 2.Emily HOGSON (illness)
Squad analysis: Adrian Stenta has wheeled out an almost full-strength team for what’s set to be a monster clash on their home deck. Fiona Worts and Chelsie Dawber are set to lead the charge along with Chinese star Xiao Yuyi, who is set to debut. Fellow new signings Jenna McCormick and Dutch veteran Marushka Waldus are in line to fill the gap left by Matilda McNamara and Kayla Sharples in the heart of defence.
Fantasy tip: If there’s anything we’ve learned from the men’s carnation, get the best player in the game and build around them. At $667K, Fiona Worts is the most expensive fantasy player, but you almost can’t say no to her being in your team, given her ability to hit the scoreboard. If you want to go cheaper, Chelsie Dawber at 527K, is another whose bound to score plenty of goals this season.
Sydney FC squad: 1. Jada WHYMAN, 2. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Anna GREEN, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 6. Sarah HUNTER, 8. Rachel LOWE, 9. Madison HALEY, 11. Cortnee VINE, 12. Natalie TOBIN, 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 19. Charlize RULE, 20. Princess IBINI, 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Shay EVANS, 30. Katie OFFER. (2-4 to be omitted)
Unavailable: 18. Taylor RAY (injured)
Squad analysis: Ante Juric has rolled out an almost full-strength squad for the first game of the season, with only Taylor Ray missing after tearing her ACL in the off-season on international duty with the Matildas. New signings Kirsty Fenton, Anna Green, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Abbey Lemon are just some of the new faces in the extended squad.
Fantasy tip: As the second-most expensive player in the game, Mackenzie Hawkesbey (622K) is shaping up as one of the premium pick-ups in fantasy should she continue her solid form from last season – particularly if she can keep dishing out assists and hitting the scoreboard.
