It promises to be quite a match-up in the nation’s capital as one of the competition heavyweights hosts one of this season’s most promising sides.
United, unusually for such a stable club, are a much-changed side over the most recent off-season and they inevitably will take time to settle. A tough one-goal loss to champions Melbourne City was followed by an equally gritty win over Brisbane Roar last weekend. For certain, United have much scope for further growth.
The Jets, though, are arguably the team most likely to break the top-four domination of Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and United themselves. However, the Jets have endured a miserable week on the injury front with American goalkeeper Kelsey Wys suffering a season-ending knee injury. Westfield Matildas Chloe Logarzo is also confirmed to miss a large chunk of the season after suffering an ankle injury while completing her club commitments in Sweden.
There was better luck of sorts for Canberra with Jasmyne Spencer set to miss only a few weeks, after going off last weekend with a very nasty looking injury.
This shapes as a crucial early match for both sides in terms of building an early-season platform. History, though, will do little to encourage the Jets, who have failed to earn a victory in their past 12 meetings with United.
Canberra United v Newcastle Jets
Saturday 26 November 2016
Venue: McKellar Park
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (AEDT)
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
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Canberra United squad: 1.Trudy BURKE (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 4.Clare HUNT, 5.Jenna McCORMICK, 7.Ellie BRUSH, 8.Hayley RASO, 10.Grace MAHER, 11.Michelle HEYMAN, 12.Hannah BREWER, 13.Celeste BOUREILLE, 14.Ashley SYKES, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17.Laura HUGHES, 19.Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20.Georgia BORIC (gk), 22.Stephanie OCHS **one to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN (promoted), 17.Laura HUGHES (promoted)
Outs: 9.Jasmyne SPENCER (ankle – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 15.Emma CHECKER (knee – 3 weeks)
Newcastle Jets squad: 2.Sophie NENADOVIC, 3.Elizabeth O’REILLY, 4.Megan OYSTER, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 7.Gema SIMON (c), 8.Emma STANBURY, 9.Jennifer HOY, 10.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Grace MACINTYRE, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18.Clare WHEELER, 19.Ashlee BRODIGAN, 20.Claire COELHO (gk), 25.Annalee GROVE (gk)
Ins: 25.Annalee GROVE (gk) (new signing)
Outs: 1.Kelsey WYS (gk) (ACL – season)
Unavailable: 12.Chloe LOGARZO (ankle – 4 weeks)
