Melbourne City is back at AAMI Park on Friday, hosting our first doubleheader in well over a month.
The business end of the season is here, with just two Women’s and four Men’s games remaining on the calendar before Finals.
This weekend’s clashes are absolutely pivotal for both teams, with a chance that our fortunes this season could hinge on Friday night’s results.
Don’t miss Friday’s blockbuster doubleheader! Click here to secure your tickets.
Our Women’s squad will host Newcastle at 4:50pm to kick-off the action. Should we claim another three points and other results go our way, we could have sealed back-to-back Premiers Plates as soon as Friday night.
The second leg of the doubleheader sees our Men’s squad up against Brisbane, where we’ll be looking for a clean sweep after already taking six points from our previous two meetings this season.
Still a point shy of second place – which as it stands would bring an AFC Champions League Elite spot – Aurelio Vidmar’s side will be desperate to continue their strong form after winning four of our last five games.
The squad will be boosted by the return of Mathew Leckie, who is back from a minor calf issue, but a similar injury will see defender Samuel Souprayen sidelined on Friday.
Zane Schreiber and Emin Durakovic have also been promoted to the extended squad.
Michael Matricciani will have to rely on his attacking depth, with Mariana Speckmaier ruled out for the remainder of the regular season with an ankle injury sustained in our most recent fixture before the international break.
Kathryn Harvey, Emilia Murray and Caitlin Karic have all been added to the extended squad to take on Newcastle.
Round 22 ALW Squad
5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
In: 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 20. Caitlin KARIC (all promoted)
Out: 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER (ankle).
Unavailable: 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER (ankle).
Round 26 ALM Squad
2. Callum TALBOT, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 10. Yonatan COHEN, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 23. Marco TILIO, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 35. Medin MEMETI, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 60. Lachie CHARLES (GK).
In: 7. Mathew LECKIE (returns from injury), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC (both promoted).
Out: 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf).
Unavailable: 8. Jimmy JEGGO (achilles), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (knee).
