Western United star Adriana Taranto is back.
The 25-year-old is in line for her first Ninja A-League Women appearance since March 2024 after completing her ACL rehabilitation.
Last season was Taranto’s best in the Ninja A-League with five goals and two assists, and her return will add a significant boost to Kat Smith’s attack.
It also caps off what looms as a special night for the Taranto family with Melissa set to make her 50th appearance for Western United.
Just a week after Alana Cerne became the first player to reach that milestone, United’s No.16 will become the second and hope to celebrate with a positive result.
In a big extended squad for Western United’s women’s side, striker Sandra Ibarguen is also poised to make her return from injury.
Having missed the last five fixtures, the Colombian forward will be looking to bring her flair back to Ironbark Fields to help spur the Green and Black to victory.
John Aloisi’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men squad also has a couple of alterations with Ben Garuccio again named in the 20-man squad.
After pushing to return to the pitch last week, the Western United captain will be eager to slot back into the defence on Friday night against Perth Glory.
Luke Vickery has been recalled into the extended squad and will be hoping to be part of the matchday squad, as will James York. Jake Najdovski will drop out of the side.
Aloisi will be hoping the squad can continue a strong run of form with the chance to match a Club record fourth straight Isuzu UTE A-League win.
Full Western United Extended Squads
Ninja A-League Women
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Emily ROACH, 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Ins: 11. Sandra IBARGUEN (returns from injury), 15. Adriana TARANTO (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9. Sara EGGESVIK (injured)
Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Noah BOTIC, 20. Abel WALATEE, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matthew SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 77. Riku DANZAKI
Ins: 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 34. James YORK, 37. Luke VICKERY (promoted)
Outs: 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI (omitted)
Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (injured), 43. Khoder KADDOUR (injured)
