The wait is almost over!
After months of pre-season preparations, our City Men and Women are ready to kick off their respective 2026/27 A-Leagues campaigns, with both teams heading across the ditch for blockbuster season openers this weekend.
For Aurelio Vidmar’s side, Saturday brings an Elimination Final rematch against reigning Champions Auckland FC, while Michael Matricciani’s Women will begin their Premiership and Championship defence on Sunday with a Grand Final rematch against Wellington Phoenix.
With kick-off fast approaching, both head coaches have now confirmed their extended squads for Matchweek 1.
ALM Team News
There’ll be a few fresh faces missing when our City Men take to the pitch on Saturday, with several late pre-season injury setbacks ruling out some of our newest arrivals.
Speaking to media ahead of the trip to Auckland, Vidmar confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto (calf) and Danish playmaker Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) will both have to wait a little longer to make their competitive City debuts.
Young midfielders Ben Mazzeo (ankle) and Alessandro Lopane (hamstring) are also set for spells on the sidelines, while Ryan Kalms continues to progress well in his recovery from a knee injury sustained during the NPL season.
Costa Rican international Julio Cascante will also be given additional time to build his fitness after arriving late in pre-season.
There is still plenty of good news on the selection front though.
Experienced Socceroos Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie and Nathaniel Atkinson are all included, while exciting new signing Awer Mabil is in line to make his City debut.
Fellow arrivals Quinn MacNicol and Macklin Freke could also make their first competitive appearances for the Club as Vidmar’s side looks to start the season on a strong note.
Matchweek 1 Squad v Auckland FC
1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 9. Max CAPUTO, 11. Awer MABIL, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 14. Besian KUTLESHI, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 19. Quinn MACNICOL, 22. Peter ANTONIOU, 23. Medin MEMETI, 24. Kavian RAHMANI, 34. Jayden NECOVSKI, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Roland BALLAH, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 41. Lawrence WONG, 77. Takeshi KANAMORI.
Unavailable: 5. Matheus ROSSETTO (calf), 10. Emiliano MARCONDES (ankle), 20. Ben MAZZEO (ankle), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (hamstring), 26. Ryan KALMS (knee).
ALW Team News
It’s a much clearer picture for Matricciani ahead of Sunday’s Grand Final rematch, with the only confirmed absences coming through international duty.
Young trio Kaya Jugovic, Keira Sarris and Dali Gorr Burchmore are all unavailable due to youth national team commitments, leaving City with plenty of options for our opening fixture.
And for supporters eager to see our newest signings in action, there could be no shortage of fresh faces.
Matildas star Cortnee Vine, Japanese midfielder Momo Hayashi and young talent Avaani Prakash are all in contention to make their City debuts, while fellow new arrivals Jessika Nash, Taylor Ray and Tully Heatley have also been included in the extended squad.
There could also be a couple of long-awaited returns in City blue.
After previously representing the Club earlier in their careers, Melina Ayres and Aimee Medwin are both in line to make their first appearances since returning to Melbourne over the off-season.
With a refreshed squad looking to build on last season’s historic Premiership-Championship double, Sunday’s clash presents the first opportunity for City fans to get a glimpse of Matricciani’s new-look side in competitive action.
Matchweek 1 Squad v Wellington Phoenix
3. Danielle TURNER, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 8. Momo HAYASHI, 9. Cortnee VINE, 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 14. Melina AYRES, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 20. Kelli McGROARTY, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Taylor RAY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 26. Izabella RAKO, 27. Chelsea BIGGS, 29. Layla HABIB.
Unavailable: 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS, 25. Dali GORR BURCHMORE (all international duty).
