Western United pulls the curtains open on a huge 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women season, kicking off at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night. Read our Match Preview, presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Women Round 1
Western United vs Wellington Phoenix
Friday, 1 November
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT
Ironbark Fields, Tarneit
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10 Play, and on Paramount+
Western United Team News
Seven Western United players will be out to make their Green and Black debuts after being named in Kat Smith’s extended squad.
Among those names are new Matilda Chloe Lincoln, Philippines international Sara Eggesvik and Young Matildas ace Sasha Grove.
Chloe Logarzo is set to lead the team out as captain alongside vice captains Grace Maher and Alana Cerne.
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Emily ROACH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Alana CORTELLINO, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Previous Meetings
Western United has had great joy against Wellington Phoenix in the Ninja A-League so far, winning three of the previous four meetings.
The first of those came in the Club’s second game in the competition, an emphatic 4-1 win at Sky Stadium.
In both of United’s home matches against the Phoenix – each of which were played at City Vista – the Green and Black has won while keeping a clean sheet, so Smith and her side will be out to keep that run going at Ironbark Fields.
Key Matchup: Alana Cerne vs Grace Jale
After playing every minute of the 2023/24 season, earning selection in the A-Leagues All Stars Women squad and starring for the Australia Under-23 national team, Cerne is ready to go to another level this season.
Named as a vice-captain for the first time, the 21-year-old has developed rapidly since becoming the Club’s first ever women’s signing in 2022.
With composure on the ball and strength defensively, Cerne can match it with the best attackers in the league and will have to do so on Friday night.
Returning home to Wellington, Grace Jale has accumulated 12 goals and seven assists in the last three seasons and will be looking to impress with the Nix once again.
After playing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, Jale brings big-game pedigree and Cerne will be eager to keep her at bay in Tarneit.
Western United Player to Watch: Chloe Logarzo
Logarzo was irrepressible in the Ninja A-League last season and will be out to pick up right where she left off in her last game at the beginning of March.
United’s skipper never got a chance to play at Ironbark Fields, so the Tarneit crowd will be treated to her quality, endeavour and passion for the first time.
The Matildas star contributed 12 goals in 17 appearances last season and with a full pre-season under her belt, there is still much more to come from United’s No.6.
Words from Kat Smith
On the excitement of playing the first game of the league season
“We’re up and about here. It’s really good vibes and we get the added excitement of kicking off the league this year which is great.”
On the work done in pre-season
“We’ve had good competition against three A-League teams – mixed performances, but expected performances for where we were in our pre-season.
“We feel like we’ve got ourselves to a really good place on the back of last week’s performance (against Melbourne City) and then heading into Friday night’s game, so we’re ready to go.”
Words from the Western United playing squad – Grace Maher
On the anticipation ahead of the season opener
“I say it every season, but it’s felt like a long time coming. There’s a lot of excitement, especially being our first full season here in Tarneit. We’re ready to hit the ground running for the first game.”
On the ambition to win trophies this season
“Always, I think if you ask anyone across the league they’d say the same thing.
“We were on top of the table for a few weeks last season and finished with no trophy, so we know it’s all about the long-term game. To get there we have to focus on the first game and then put in those performances week after week.”
