Melbourne City Women’s FC will begin its title defence in season nine of the Westfield W-League on Sunday against Newcastle Jets at CB Smith Reserve. Here are five reasons to be excited about the new season…
You only need to look at last season!
After a stunning debut season which yielded a record 14 straight wins and a historic Premiership and Championship double, there is no doubt City have set the benchmark for success in the W-League.
But this year every team has stepped up their game. Sydney FC will be seeking redemption, Canberra United have the firepower to trouble any team in the league, while Brisbane Roar will be determined to go one step further after being the first to hold City goalless in regulation time during last year’s Semi Final.
Rivals Melbourne Victory will be looking to bounce back from a difficult season, while Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory, Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets all boast a mixture of domestic and international talent.
With plenty of exciting contests on the horizon and a championship title to defend, the motivation is there to continue an astonishing winning streak in season nine of the W-League.
New faces combine with returning stars.
Having assembled a playing squad boasting talent, depth and experience, City enters the new W-League season with a mixture of some fresh faces and returning stars.
Golden Boot winner Larissa Crummer returns to lead a new-look attack missing the likes of Beattie Goad, Lisa De Vanna and Scottish genius Kim Little – who each found the back of the net in the Club’s 4-1 Grand Final win over Sydney FC.
American forward Erika Tymrak will fill the void after arriving from FC Kansas City, joining Welsh star Jess Fishlock and City’s W-League Player of the Year Aivi Luik in a star-studded midfield.
City have one eye on the future as well with the signing of Junior Matilda Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who recently scored six goals as Australia qualified for the AFC U-16 Championships.
Matildas City in defence
At the other end of the pitch, City’s historic triumph was built upon a defensive unit underpinned by consistency.
Add one of the world’s best goalkeepers between the posts in Lydia Williams, and that defence just became even tougher to breach.
The Matildas number one, who joined the Club after a stint in America with Houston Dash, boasts considerable W-League experience after spending six seasons with hometown club Canberra United.
Her familiarity with Matildas defenders Steph Catley, Laura Alleway and Teigen Allen provides City with added cohesion at the back, while New Zealand international Rebekah Stott and American Lauren Barnes will fill the gap left by Jennifer Beattie, who recently won a league title with sister club Manchester City Women’s FC.
Scoring goals may be one thing, but keeping them out is just as important.
Double header delight
City will host a total of six home matches in Melbourne for the campaign – four at CB Smith Reserve and two at AAMI Park.
It is, however, the Club’s first W-League Melbourne Derby of the season in Round 4 which serves as the headline act.
City’s record-breaking Men’s and Women’s teams will unite for the first of two home double-headers at on Sunday 27 November, where the W-League Melbourne Derby will be played prior to the Club’s A-League fixture against Wellington Phoenix.
Both the Women’s and Men’s teams will square off against Perth Glory in the remaining home double-header, to be played on Tuesday 27 December at AAMI Park.
Click here for the full W-League fixture.
Join the City Family and watch our record-breaking women in action
As City prepares to kick-off its Westfield W-League title defence against Newcastle on Sunday, there has never been a better time to become part of the City Family.
With 13 A-League home matches at AAMI Park and free access to all W-League and National Youth League matches, becoming a Melbourne City member is the most affordable way to watch a season of beautiful football.
Join or renew as a member today!
