Hannah Keane and Stacey Papadopoulos will live amongst Western United’s Liberty A-League Women icons, with the two foundation players set to depart after securing overseas opportunities.
Keane scored 24 goals across 40 appearances, winning a Liberty A-League golden boot and setting a number of Western United records.
The American scored the Club’s first ever Liberty A-League finals goal and hat-trick and became the first United player to win back-to-back golden boot awards, sitting just two goals shy of Besart Berisha’s tally as the Club’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Papadopoulos racked up 35 appearances in Green and Black and featured in all 22 matches this season, being one of only three players to do so.
Her energy and tenacity made her an instant hit with the Western United family, and she enjoyed her crowning moment with a superb goal against Newcastle Jets in December.
Both players depart the Club as fan-favourites and key pillars in the formative years of Western United’s women’s program, leaving with lasting memories from their time in the West.
“I want to say thank you to everybody at Western United – from the fans, to the staff, to all of my teammates – thank you so much. The past two years have been amazing,” Papadopoulos said.
“I can’t wait to watch the girls smash it, they’ll always have my support. I’ll always be a Green and Black fan.”
Keane added:
“Out of all the teams I’ve ever played on, Western by far has been the biggest family and probably the biggest emotional tie to a team I’ve had.
“I’m so grateful to have been a part of everything here. The kindness that everyone has shown me has been amazing and I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person because of everyone around me.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato lauded the pair as vital players in building the beginning of the Club’s Liberty A-League squad.
“Hannah and Stacey have both made immense contributions to our Club, and the success we have had in the women’s space thus far would not have been possible without each of them,” he said.
“Both have been tremendous players on the pitch and exemplary people off the pitch, setting the foundations for our culture and identity in the Liberty A-League.
“They leave a lasting legacy in what they have helped create, and we wish them both every success in their next steps and will always keep our doors open for them.
“We are also extremely proud of our ability to provide our female players with a platform to develop and pursue opportunities overseas, and I commend the work of our staff and our playing group as we continue to grow a successful women’s program through two seasons.”
Everyone at Western United sends their very best wishes to both Hannah and Stacey and will watching and cheering them on from afar.
