Check out all the line-ups for the first week of the Westfield W-League.
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 22 October 2011
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Local kick-off: 3pm
The Westfield W-League will kick-off the season in spectacular fashion as the two most successful clubs in the three-year history of the league do battle in a Grand Final re-match. For Sydney the contest will provide an early chance to attain a measure of revenge for the Roar-s 2-1 victory in last season-s decider. Last season-s results between the two followed a curious pattern with Sydney 4-0 victors on Brisbane-s home turf in the season-opener, only for the Roar to win the return contest before doing likewise in the Grand Final.
Both teams are once again packed with international experience and over 20 players with Westfield Matildas experience are featured in the two squads. Much focus too will be on Megan Rapinoe as the gifted USA midfielder, who starred in the Americans- narrow final defeat against Japan at Germany 2011 FIFA Women-s World Cup, commences a brief stint for Sydney before returning home. The Sky Blues have also picked up highly-regarded goalkeeper Allison Lipsher, although the American is unlikely to have arrived in time for the opener, as well as experienced Westfield Matildas defender Thea Slatyer. On the debit side, Alen Stajcic-s team have a lengthy injury list with their renowned striking duo of Kyah Simon (injured) and Leena Khamis (overseas) to miss the opening weeks of the campaign, as will skipper Heather Garriock with injury. Brisbane will undoubtedly benefit from maintaining a largely unchanged squad although dynamic striker Lisa De Vanna has joined Newcastle Jets, while utility Lauren Colthorpe will miss the season with a knee injury. The weekend-s match will see Catherine Canulli debut for the Roar after joining from the Sky Blues during the off-season.
Sydney Fc Squad: – 20. Monique Jackson, 15. Thea Slatyer, 3. Danielle Brogan (C), 5. Estelle Johnson, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 4. Renee Rolloson, 10. Kylie Ledbrook, 2. Teresa Polias, 18. Megan Rapinoe, 9. Sarah Walsh, 12. Teigen Allen, 8. Caitlin Foord, 13. Britt Whittfield, 16. Alisha Bass, 30. Sham Khamis, 14. Rachael Soutar
*One To Be Omitted*
Unavailable: 17. Kyah Simon, (Injured), 7. Heather Garriock, (Injured), 11. Victoria Balomenos (Injured), 1. Lipsher, Allison (Overseas – Returns Week 2), 19. Khamis, Leena (Overseas – Returns Week 4)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Casey Dumont (gk), 2.Laura Alleway, 3.Karla Reuter, 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c), 5.Brooke Spence, 6.Joanne Burgess, 9.Catherine Cannuli, 10.Lana Harch, 12.Ashley Spina, 13.Tameka Butt, 14. Vedrana Popovic, 15.Sasha McDonnell, 16.Michaela Hatzirodos, 17.Emily Gielnik, 19.Ellen Beaumont, 20.Hoshimi Kishi (gk)
Unavailable: Elise Kellond-Knight, Kim Carroll, Aivi Luik (all overseas – returns Week 4)
Adelaide United v Canberra United
Saturday 22 October
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 1.45pm
Hyundai A-League curtain raiser match
With a new coach and several fresh faces on the playing roster, Adelaide United will aim to start anew as they seek to end a 27-match winless streak. The lush grass of Hindmarsh Stadium will, as a curtain-raiser to the Hyundai A-League match between Adelaide United and Sydney FC, be an appropriate stage as the Lady Reds seek to begin their rejuvenation. Former New Zealand U-17 coach David Edmondson has assumed the reins and his youthful looking squad is complemented by the experience offered by new signings Abby Erceg – an ever-present for New Zealand at Germany 2011 – and fellow Kiwi international Anna Green, while USA striker Ashleigh Gunning returns for her second season.
Their opening task is, however, a difficult one with the visiting Canberra United only denied a Grand Final berth last season by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out. Their squad has arguably strengthened in the off-season under the guidance of new coach, former Czech international Jitka Klimkova. New faces set to feature this weekend include defender Christine Walters returning after a year-s absence, and American striker Taryn Hemmings whose impressive CV includes spending the last two seasons at Boston Breakers. However United will be without injured midfielder Leah Blayney and dual-international Ellyse Perry due to cricket commitments for their visit to Adelaide.
Adelaide United squad: 20. Kristi HARVEY (Gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Anna GREEN, 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5. Abby ERCEG (C), 6. Ebony PHILCOX, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Vanessa REED, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Grace HENRY, 17. Katherine EBBS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Nenita BURGESS
*two to be omitted*
Unavailable: 1. Sian MCLAREN (injured), 10. Angela FIMMANO (injured), 11. Ashleigh GUNNING (overseas)
Canberra United: 1. Lydia Williams (Gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 4. Christine Walters, 6. Caitlin Munoz, 7. Ellie Brush, 8. Hayley Raso, 9. Grace Gill, 10. Snez Veljanovska, 11. Michelle Heyman, 13. Nicole Sykes, 14. Ashleigh Sykes, 15. Sally Shipard, 18. Taryn Hemmings, 19. Jennifer Bisset, 20. Aroon Clansey (Gk)
Unavailable: Leah Blayney (Injured), Ellyse Perry (Cricket Commitments)
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Saturday 22 October 2011
Veneto Club, Bulleen, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 5pm
Much has changed since these two teams jostled for a semi-final berth last term when Melbourne ultimately edged ahead of Perth to appear in their maiden finals campaign. However this season could be very different with the Glory losing a host of talent, while the Victory have strengthened further after their breakthrough season.
Vicky Linton has retained the core of last year’s squad including one-time USA international Kendall Fletcher and England striker Jodie Taylor. Notably, Westfield Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri has departed for Newcastle Jets with exciting teenage prospect Brianna Davey to assume the No1 shirt. Eight new faces are in the squad including a host of local talent with the most significant addition being experienced American defender Danielle Johnson of New Jersey based professional side Sky Blues FC.
Taking charge of the WA side will be Jamie Harnwell, with the long-serving Perth Glory stalwart facing a baptism of fire after losing three of the most talented players in the Australian game. Young tyro Sam Kerr and AFC Women-s Asian Player of the Year Kate Gill are both recovering from knee reconstructions, while midfield ace Collette McCallum has elected to take the season off. A youthful squad will look to the experience of new signing, midfielder Katie Holtham from English Super League club Doncaster Belles.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Brianna DAVEY, 2.Rebekah STOTT, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4.Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Danielle JOHNSON, 6. Rita MANKOWSKA, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Ashley BROWN, 9. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 10. Jodie TAYLOR (c), 11. Caitlin FRIEND, 12. Jackie
VOGT, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Louisa BISBY, 18. Stephanie TANTI, 19. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI
Unavailable: 13. Katrina GORRY (Injured), 17. Gulcan KOCA (overseas)
Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold, 2. Shawn Billam, 3. Carys Hawkins, 4 Erika Elze, 5 Shannon May, 6 Katarina Jukic, 7 Sadie Lawrence, 8 Tanya Oxtoby, 9 Katie Holtham, 10 Jaymee Gibbons, 11 Ella Mastrantonio, 13 Elisa D-Ovidio, 14 Emily Dunn, 15 Lara Filocamo, 17 Marianna Tabain, 19 Sarah Carroll
*one to be omitted*
Unavailable: Nil
BYE: Newcastle Jets
