A super Sunday of City football is ahead this weekend with a massive pair of fixtures to come as we reach the pointy ends of both seasons.
Our City Women will have their sights set on securing a first Grand Final appearance in four years, hosting Newcastle Jets in the Semi Final second leg after making a great start to the tie on the road last weekend.
Goals to Daniela Galic, Emina Ekic and Shelby McMahon have us 3-0 ahead after the away leg as we look for another strong 90-minute performance at AAMI Park on Sunday.
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Following that, the attention will turn to the Men’s side who host Western United in a 5:00pm kick-off in the last round of the ALM season.
The significance of that one won’t be known until late on Saturday night, with it either set to be a must-win to qualify for Finals – or a chance to rest some players ahead of an away Elimination Final.
The permutations all hinge on the Melbourne Victory/Western Sydney game that will be played at the same venue the night prior.
Put simply, any result other than a Wanderers win would lock in our spot in the top six. If they are to secure the three points on the road, we’ll need to beat Western United to leapfrog them to the last Finals spot.
Both Head Coaches have now confirmed their squads for Sunday’s home doubleheader.
Karly Roestbakken will be sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the first half in Newcastle last weekend but is targeting a return for the Grand Final should we qualify.
In some positive injury news for City, Holly McNamara on Wednesday reached a significant milestone in her recovery from her ACL injury, running for the first time.
Dario Vidosic has included a host of young talent to an otherwise unchanged extended squad.
Callum Talbot and Patrick Beach have both returned from Olyroos duty, while Scott Galloway has also been included in the extended Men’s squad after being sidelined through injury since February.
ALW Semi Final Second Leg Squad
2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Julia GROSSO, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emina EKIC, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Daniela GALIC, 88. BÁRBARA (GK).
In: 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 21. Isabella ACCARDO (all promoted).
Out: 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (ankle).
Unavailable: 1. Sophia VARLEY (ankle), 9. Holly McNAMARA (ACL), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (ankle).
ALM Round 26 Squad
1. Jamie YOUNG (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. James JEGGO, 9. Jamie MACLAREN (C), 10. Tolgay ARSLAN, 11. Leo NATEL, 14. Vicente FERNÁNDEZ, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Curtis GOOD, 25. Callum TALBOT, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 35. Zane SCHREIBER, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 44. Marin JAKOLIS
In: 2. Scott GALLOWAY (returns from injury), 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Patrick BEACH (both return from international duty).
Out: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (omitted).
Unavailable: 15. Andrew NABBOUT (achilles), 23. Marco TILIO (quad), 46. Ben MAZZEO (ankle).
