It is one of the oldest rivalries in Westfield W-League football. Blue versus Red. Victory versus United.
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This year’s opener will have some added spice, too, as both teams will want to start their seasons on the front foot and reach finals football after last year’s absence.
Ella Mastrantonio and Alexandra Gummer have re-signed with Victory, while youngster MelindaJ Barbieri is one year stronger and wiser.
Reds fans will be excited by the acquisition of Michelle Heyman who will seek to provide goals and pizzazz up front.
Iceland internationals, FanndÃs Fridriksdóttir and Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir, add experience to the Reds’ midfield, while 17-year-old Charlotte Grant has joined following her breakout season in NPL South Australia, although she will miss the season opener.
Alex Chidiac, who departed for Atletico Madrid, is a loss but the Reds can take comfort in the fact that their squad is looking mature and balanced for the 2018/19 Season.
Melbourne Victory host Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Sunday, 28 October at 4:15pm.
Ins and Outs
Melbourne Victory squad:1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 3 Teigen ALLEN, 4.Alex GUMMER, 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Annabel MARTIN, 7.Christine NAIRN, 8.Angela BEARD, 9.Natasha DOWIE (c), 11.Melinda BARBIERI, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Emily GIELNIK, 16.Samantha JOHNSON, 17.Danielle WEATHERHOLT, 18.Grace MAHER, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Bethany MASON-JONES (gk), 21.Ella MASTRANTONIO
**two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 10.Kyra COONEY-CROSS (international duty)
Adelaide United squad:1.Sarah WILLACY(gk), 4.Georgia IANNELLA, 5.Gunnhildur JONSDOTTIR, 6.Georgia CAMPAGNALE, 8.Emily CONDON, 9.Fanndis FRIDRIKSDOTTIR, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 11.Laura JOHNS, 12.Veronica LATSKO, 14.Grace ABBEY, 15.Emma CHECKER (c), 16.Dylan HOLMES, 18.Meleri MULLAN, 20.Sian McLAREN (gk), 21.Lara KIRKBY, 22.Amber BROOKS, 23.Michelle HEYMAN
**two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 2.Emily HODGSON (International Duty), 3.Charlotte GRANT (International Duty), 17.Kahlia HOGG (Knee)
Watch
You can stream the match live on the MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers.
Tickets
Secure your ticket to Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United here.
