Western United ALW Team News: Round 8 vs Newcastle Jets

Kat Smith’s second extended squad as Western United Liberty A-League Women Head Coach is in and just like last week, she could be set to welcome back two key players into the fold.

Kahli Johnson and Avaani Prakash both missed last week’s win over Adelaide United after a late return from international duty, but the Young Matildas stars are back in contention for this week.

Johnson has been one of United’s standout contributors so far this season with two goals to her name and a number of eye-catching performances.

Prakash dazzled on debut against Melbourne City at the start of November and was equally sharp against Western Sydney Wanderers at the end of the month, and she will be hoping to return to the matchday squad for this one.

Both players will have to prove their worth to the new coach, though, who will have been impressed by a strong attacking display which earned her a first win as Western United boss.

Adriana and Melissa Taranto were the stars of the show, the former taking up a place on the left wing and scoring two decisive goals which were both assisted by her twin.

Hannah Keane also found the net for her second of the season and will be hoping to keep building momentum heading into the middle part of the season.

Everything else remains the same for Smith with the 18-player extended squad remaining identical to last week’s.

That gives the same players the opportunity to impress again while the remainder of the squad outside of the 18 will continue to work on the training pitch to earn a place in the side.

Smith will be hoping the players put in a similar performance to secure consecutive wins for the first time this season and continue to strive towards the top end of the table.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO

Ins: 10. Kahli JOHNSON (returns from international duty), 13. Avaani PRAKASH (returns from international duty)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured), 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)