Westfield Matildas Gema Simon and Larissa Crummer headline 15 signings announced by Newcastle Jets on Wednesday for the Westfield W-League 2019/20 Season.
On a huge day for the Hunter club, coach Craig Deans has managed to keep hold of a large chunk of his squad, with a particular focus on Australian talent.
“It’s predominantly a team made up of Newcastle girls, and I’m confident they’ll do well in the Westfield W-League this season,” Deans said.
“We’ve got a nice mix of youth and experience, there’s a great harmony amongst the group and that’s a really crucial thing in any team.
“The fans saw at the back end of last year just what our younger players especially were able to do when we had a few out, and I think that certainly bodes well for the year ahead.”
Simon, fresh from the Westfield Matildas’ stint at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June, is one of a handful of veterans committing to the club.
Cassidy Davis and Hannah Brewer bring with them more than 170 games of Westfield W-League experience, while Tara Andrews and Jenna Kingsley are also back.
Crummer has opted to remain in Newcastle while she continues rehabilitation following her horrific leg break back in January.
Libby Copus-Brown, Sophie Nenadovic, and Clare Wheeler will once again fight it out for a spot in the centre of midfield, while Claire Coelho will look to cement her place between the sticks.
After scoring for the first time in the Westfield W-League last season, both Teigan Collister and Pana Petratos will be looking to add to their tallies in 2019/20.
Promoted from the Jets Academy at the beginning of last season, the young trio of Renee Pountney, Tessa Tamplin, and Paige Kingston-Hogg will be looking to impress once again this season.
Current Newcastle Jets Westfield W-League 2019/20 squad (so far…):
Goalkeepers: Claire Coelho
Defenders: Hannah Brewer, Cassidy Davis, Gema Simon, Tessa Tamplin, Larissa Crummer
Midfielders: Libby Copus-Brown, Paige Kingston-Hogg, Sophie Nenadovic, Clare Wheeler
Forwards: Tara Andrews, Teigan Collister, Jenna Kingsley, Pana Petratos, Renee Pountney
