10 Liberty A-League finalists dreaming of a World Cup call-up

You could argue the stakes have never been higher heading into a Liberty A-League Finals Series.

Within the context of a four-way tussle for Championship glory comes the intensifying build-up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July, and the announcement of Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson’s 23-player squad that will represent Australia in the tournament on home soil.

If you tune in to the A-League Women Finals Series throughout April, you’ll witness not only the climax to a hotly-contested domestic campaign, but players amongst the ranks of the four remaining clubs using the post-season to launch a final claim for a spot amongst the Matildas’ World Cup squad.

But which players from Sydney FC, Western United, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City are best placed to use the Finals Series to push for World Cup selection?

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THE TEAMS ARE IN: Finals Series squads

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Emma Checker – Melbourne City

Melbourne City captain Emma Checker has experience on the international stage and with seven Matildas caps to her name, looms as one of the best-placed central defenders to make a late play at a spot in the squad should injuries mount.

Clare Polkinghorne, Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy are the clear favourites to secure spots in the squad as central defenders, with the versatile Aivi Luik and Courtney Nevin running closely behind with the ability to provide a stopgap at the heart of defence.

With traditional full-backs Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter both capable of slotting into centre-back roles, it’s not an area which Gustavsson is likely to look outside of his current regulars to cover. But if injuries take their toll prior to the tournament, Checker is one of the best-placed outsiders to make a late push into contention.

Checker captains City into the A-League Women Finals Series on Saturday, April 15 in a do-or-die Semi Final against Melbourne Victory.

Casey Dumont – Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont is a three-time Matilda who debuted in 2015, and after a horror run of injuries – including a lacerated liver, an anterior cruciate ligament tear and a torn Achilles tendon – will use the A-League Women Finals Series to make a late push to throw her hat in the ring for World Cup consideration.

Dumont will take solace in the fact that fellow A-League Women keeper Jada Whyman received a call-up to Gustavsson’s April squad for a pair of London friendlies. The two custodians will look to end their respective seasons on a high; the two keepers have been each been named Player of the Game once in the last two A-League Women Grand Finals.

In March, Dumont revealed she’s one of the 50 players shortlisted for the Matildas’ World Cup squad, and isn’t letting her continued absence from the international scene dampen her spirits.

“If I get called up, I’ll grab it with two hands and if I don’t – I love playing so I do have those up and down moments,” Dumont told Dub Zone in March. “When the (April) squad came out – to be honest I was hurt, but I have had Matildas experience.

“I do know it’s a cutthroat environment and industry so the coach sees what he sees in those players and I’ve just got to take it on the chin and work on what I need to work on and keep playing and keep loving it to help Victory get to the finals series.”

Kirsty Fenton – Sydney FC

Uncapped at senior level, Young Matildas defender Kirsty Fenton has come on in leaps and bounds at Sydney FC this season after her off-season move from Newcastle Jets.

Fenton has made 11 appearances for the Sky Blues in a Premiership campaign, and after some mid-season injury concerns will fly into the Finals Series eager to secure a Premiership/Championship double.

Ellie Carpenter’s return to Matildas action from an ACL injury has strengthened Gustavsson’s depth at full-back, whilst vice-captain Steph Catley – currently sidelined by injury – is expected to be fit and firing well before the World Cup.

Charlotte Grant and Courtney Nevin provide magnificent depth at full-back for Gustavsson, who is not short on options in that area. Fenton is another name you might hear more of should injuries strike at Gustavsson’s defensive depth.

Beattie Goad – Melbourne Victory

Beattie Goad has enjoyed a fantastic Australian homecoming in 2022-23, signing with Melbourne Victory and putting one goal and five assists on the board from 18 appearances playing as both a winger and full-back in head coach Jeff Hopkin’s starting XI.

Goad arrived in Victoria as a three-time Matilda after stints in Spain and Germany, and her form in a Victory kit this season has had the club’s fans crying out for their quiet achiever to return to the international fray.

Alex Chidiac was the star of the show for Victory through the early rounds of the A-League Women season, but her return to the United States and Racing Louisville has left a void for Goad to fill as her side’s prime creator. With striker Melina Ayres hitting form before finals, Goad and the red-hot striker could lift Victory to the Championship should their combination bear fruit in the attacking third.

READ: Meet the A-Leagues star who is also set to become a doctor & could play for Australia at the World Cup

Mackenzie Hawkesby – Sydney FC

Tony Gustavsson’s current Matildas formation features two central midfield roles that all-but belong to Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry. Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr are locks to hold down two of three forward roles, with Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso hot favourites to contend for the third.

But one position that is not yet cemented is a third midfield role, a more attacking position that an uncapped Mackenzie Hawkesby would suit to a tee.

That’s not to say the Sydney FC creator would start; if it’s not Mary Fowler, it will be Emily van Egmond, or perhaps Foord in a central role with Vine and Raso providing width. If a growing chorus of Matildas fans had it their way, it would be Alex Chidiac playing from the start as a creative 10.

But if looking for a potential X-factor to include in his squad, in Hawkesby Gustavsson would find a goalscorer and creator who wreaks havoc from midfield.

In Hawkesby’s last 22 appearances for Sydney FC, she’s notched 11 goals and 15 assists. It’s an incredible record that may look all the more impressive should she catch fire in the Finals Series.

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Princess Ibini – Sydney FC

Princess Ibini is a player on the fringes of Gustavsson’s thinking as cover for his first-choice selections in wide attacking areas.

In September, Ibini was a late inclusion for Australia’s two-game friendly series against Canada after an injury ruled out speedy winger Raso. Beyond the injured Foord and Emily Gielnik, Raso, Tameka Yallop and A-League Women duo Cortnee Vine and Holly McNamara, Ibini is a different option for Gustavsson to consider when selecting players in said position.

The 23-year-old has scored seven goals and assisted five more in 18 appearances for Sydney FC this season. In June of 2022, Ibini scored her first Matildas goal in a 1-1 draw with Portugal.

“Princess is a game-changer,” said Gustavsson at the time.

“Coming in at half-time and not only scoring but showing that she wanted to be a part of this and that’s something we talked a lot about… game-changers needed to be ready to play the game from the bench, read the game, know what it’s like.

“So when they come in, they have a good idea what it looks like. Princess came in and made a really big impact.”

Chloe Logarzo – Western United

One of three key Matildas in a race against time to prove her fitness before the World Cup is Western United’s returning midfield star fighting to feature in the A-League Women Finals Series.

Logarzo signed with Western in the off-season to launch her comeback from an ACL tear, but has been sidelined since January with plantar fasciitis in her left foot. Logarzo’s loan deal at Western from Kansas City Current ended in February, but she’s since returned to the A-League Women club after being prematurely released by the National Women’s Soccer League Club.

Much like Kyah Simon (ACL) and Elise Kellond-Knight (Achilles), Logarzo is a key Matilda who, should her fitness improve before the tournament, is more likely than not to feature in Gustavsson’s squad.

Logarzo spoke to KEEPUP on the eve of the finals about her recovery: “I’ve been in contact with (the Matildas medical team) every day.

“There’s no cut-off date as yet (for the World Cup squad) as (I’m) aware, but my focus is, as clichéd as it sounds, literally one day at a time. I don’t want to overwhelm myself with what the end result is, and not focus on what’s happening right now.

“The stat of me not playing a 90-minute game in almost two years leading into the World Cup is something weighing heavily on me. But I feel I just need to get myself fit and ready, and just give myself the opportunity to be selected in the team. That’s the only thing I’m working on, and working towards.”

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Holly McNamara – Melbourne City

Matildas and Melbourne City fans held their collective breath when Holly McNamara was “medically withdrawn” from Gustavsson’s most recent international camp.

It was the City winger’s first foray back into international football after an ACL tear in February 2022. But, McNamara’s mysterious replacement in the Matildas squad looks unlikely to derail her Finals Series charge, with City naming the 20-year-old in their squad for Saturday afternoon’s Melbourne Derby Semi Final.

McNamara is an explosive forward who fits the mould of one of two wide players in Gustavsson’s system to perfection. Should she remain fit between now and the World Cup, McNamara will be in the final squad.

Cortnee Vine – Sydney FC

A guaranteed member of Gustavsson’s final World Cup squad (pending fitness), Cortnee Vine was one of, if not the greatest beneficiary of the 2022 calendar year in the context of the national side.

Vine made her debut at the Asian Cup in January 2022, and by the end of the year was a key member of not only the squad but the starting unit. The Sydney FC winger had a quiet start to the A-League Women season but comes into the Finals Series as arguably the form player of the competition. She’s contributed seven goals and eight assists from 18 games in Sky Blue.

Fans and pundits alike were awash with excitement in the aftermath of the recent Matildas camp, pondering how devastating Vine’s combination with the rapid Ellie Carpenter could prove to be down the right flank for Australia for years to come. Vine’s post-season form and fitness will be one of the key stories to watch throughout the Finals Series.

READ: What we know about Cortnee Vine’s injury ahead of Liberty A-League Semi Final

Jada Whyman – Sydney FC

How exciting it must have been for Jada Whyman to be called into the Matildas camp in April to train amongst the goalkeeping unit. The 23-year-old joined Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams in the squad in a clear signal of intent from Gustavsson regarding his thoughts on the next in line behind the trio of regular camp members.

Whyman has played 12 games throughout the 2022-23 A-League Women season, keeping eight clean sheets.