Western United will kick off the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women season against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night, and Kat Smith’s first extended squad of the campaign is in.
Of the 18 players named on the list, seven will be hoping to make their Western United debuts and get off to a perfect start in this season.
Chloe Lincoln and Sara Eggesvik are returning from respective international duties and will be eager to feature, while a professional debut potentially awaits 17-year-old Alana Cortellino.
From her first-ever Matildas call-up, Lincoln is named in the extended squad alongside Sasha Grove, with whom she arrived at Western United from Canberra United in the off-season.
After her starring role at FC Bulleen Lions in NPLW Victoria, Isabel Dehakiz is in contention to make her Ninja A-League debut, as is Colombian attacker Sandra Ibarguen.
Competition for places is strong across the pitch among players new and old with the likes of Catherine Zimmerman, Kahli Johnson and Avaani Prakash all looking to make their mark again.
Chloe Logarzo is set to lead the team out as captain and will be hoping to make her first ever appearance at Ironbark Fields, while vice captains Grace Maher and Alana Cerne will be eager to continue their partnership at the back.
Adriana Taranto continues her rehabilitation from an ACL injury suffered in March and is Western United’s only long-term absentee.
Full Western United Ninja A-League Women Extended Squad
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)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 15. Adriana TARANTO (injured)
