Melbourne City has confirmed its extended squads for a huge weekend of football, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams in action across two states.
Aurelio Vidmar’s side heads north to face Brisbane Roar on Friday night, while Michael Matricciani’s Premiership-winning Women’s squad will open its Ninja A-League campaign against Sydney FC on Saturday afternoon.
It’s set to be a weekend of milestones and fresh beginnings, highlighted by the return of a fan favourite and the dawn of a new season for one of the league’s most consistent sides.
City’s Men will receive a major boost with Andrew Nabbout returning from a long-term injury. The 32-year-old winger is in line to make his first appearance in almost exactly 12 months after recovering from the ACL injury he suffered last November.
It was a cruel blow that came at the worst possible time, with Nabbout having scored three goals in his opening four matches of the 2024/25 campaign before being sidelined. Now fully fit and firing again, he’ll be eager to make his mark as City looks to build on last weekend’s emphatic 4-0 win over Perth Glory and continue an unbeaten start to the Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Young defender Peter Antoniou has also been promoted to the extended squad and could be in line for his first senior appearance, while the rest of the group remains unchanged following the strong home performance at AAMI Park.
Meanwhile, City’s Women will begin their Ninja A-League campaign with a tricky away trip to face Sydney FC. After a big pre-season, Matricciani has named a strong squad featuring a mix of returning stars and new faces eager to impress.
Matildas attacker Holly McNamara has been included after returning from international duty, while Deven Jackson will miss the season opener following a busy period with the Football Ferns that saw her make her first international start in one of three fixtures.
New signings such as Dan Turner, Aideen Keane and Chinaza Uchendu headline the list of fresh additions and could all feature as City begins its pursuit of a third consecutive Premiers Plate.
Bryleeh Henry (back) and Karly Roestbakken (knee) will miss the early part of the campaign but are working towards a return around the time of the team’s AFC Women’s Champions League trip to Vietnam.
With both squads raring to go, it promises to be an exciting weekend for City fans as the new domestic seasons continue to build momentum.
Round 3 ALM Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 20. Ben MAZZEO, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 44. Besian KUTLESHI, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 15. Andrew NABBOUT (returns from injury), 37. Peter ANTONIOU (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 11. Elbasan RASHANI (hamstring), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (ankle), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (hamstring), 35. Medin MEMETI (hamstring), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON (concussion), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (ACL), 41. Lawrence WONG (MCL).
Round 1 ALW Squad
2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 10. Izabella RAKO, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Keira SARRIS, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Aideen KEANE, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK).
Unavailable: 11. Deven JACKSON (international duty), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (knee), 22. Bryleeh HENRY (back).
