John Aloisi has promoted four Western United Academy stars into his extended squad for Saturday’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men clash against Western Sydney Wanderers.
In total, six of the 20 players in the provisional squad have come through United’s Academy, with another Academy graduate in Rhys Bozinovski missing out only due to a groin injury.
READ MORE: Western United A-Leagues Injury Update
Three of the four inclusions are making their first appearance in an Isuzu UTE A-League Men extended squad as the Club continues to build on its Academy pathway.
Zach Lisolajski is one of those, an 18-year-old defender who impressed immediately when he joined the first team in pre-season training.
The athletic left-footer has also made his international debut with the Young Socceroos since joining United and will be eying a professional club debut on Saturday.
Fellow 18-year-olds James York and Oliver Lavale are also in the extended squad, the former being named by John Aloisi for the first time.
A technical midfielder, York won the Under 21’s player of the season award in 2022 and followed that up by breaking into the Under 23’s side and earning involvement in first-team training over the past year.
Lavale is obviously already known to the squad having earned a scholarship contract in pre-season on the back of his Australia Cup heroics, where he started and scored on his professional debut against Gold Coast Knights.
Jordan Lauton is the fourth player added to the extended squad, a stalwart of the Western United Academy having joined the Club in its inaugural year in 2021.
Easily recognisable for his constant energy and intensity on the pitch, Lauton is an all-action midfielder who brings equal qualities on both sides of the ball.
With those additions, 12 of United’s 20-man squad are aged 23 or under, offering an exciting insight into the future for Aloisi’s side.
Kane Vidmar is another youngster who is involved, and has been consistently throughout the season. He will be aiming to return to the starting line-up after Jacob Tratt was ruled out with a long-term injury this week.
Another Academy graduate in Matthew Grimaldi will be hoping to follow up his first Isuzu UTE A-League start against Macarthur FC last time out while under-21 forwards Noah Botic, Michael Ruhs and Jake Najdovski continue to compete for minutes up front.
Full Western United extended squad
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Daniel PENHA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 41. Oliver LAVALE, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI
Ins: 34. James YORK (promoted), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI (promoted), 41. Oliver LAVALE, 44. Jordan LAUTON (promoted)
Outs: 27. Jacob TRATT (injured), 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (injured)
Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (injured), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (injured), 77. Riku DANZAKI (injured)
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 14
Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 27 January
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
North Hobart Oval, Hobart
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
