It’s been a long wait but our City squads are finally back in action at AAMI Park this Saturday.
Our first doubleheader is the season is drawing closer as we get set to welcome the Western Sydney Wanderers to town.
Saturday will see our Men’s squad in action for the first time in 20 days after back-to-back weekends off through an international break then bye, while Michael Matricciani’s team returns to Melbourne following Unite Round.
Both he and Men’s Head Coach, Aurelio Vidmar, have now confirmed their extended squads ahead of the doubleheader.
The first game of the day will see a couple of key players in Leah Davidson and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic out due to international duty.
Emilia Murray, Kiera Meyers, Caitlin Karic and Isabella Accardo have all been added to the extended squad and are a chance to feature against the Wanderers this Saturday.
While the longer A-League Men’s break may have halted our momentum, it’s allowed the squad to freshen up with a handful of players now either putting their hands up for selection or getting very close to doing so.
Arion Sulemani is set to return from the calf injury that has kept him out since Round 2, while Captain Aziz Behich will make his return from suspension.
Round 5 ALW Squad
5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK).
In: 11. Emilia MURRAY, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO (all promoted).
Out: 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (both international duty).
Unavailable: 1. Sophia VARLEY (ankle), 9. Holly McNAMARA (knee), 18. Leah DAVIDSON (international duty), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (international duty).
Round 6 ALM Squad
1. Jamie YOUNG (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. James JEGGO, 10. Yonatan COHEN, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 20. Arion SULEMANI, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 35. Medin MEMETI, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 42. Ben DUNBAR, 46. Ben MAZZEO, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 16. Aziz BEHICH (returns from suspension), 20. Arion SULEMANI (returns from injury)
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 17. Max CAPUTO (leg), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (knee), 23. Marco TILIO (hamstring), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee).
