Melbourne City FC will be looking to continue its remarkable inaugural Westfield W-League campaign with a win over Brisbane Roar on Monday.
It was a seamless rout into the finals for Joe Montemurro’s side, setting a record 12 straight wins and securing the Westfield W-League Premier’s Plate with three games to spare.
However in its last fixture City encountered one of its toughest contests to date.
Sydney FC drew parity with the Premiers before a late goal from Marianna Taban ensured Melbourne would complete the season with a perfect record.
Monday afternoon will also see City bolstered by the return of skipper Lisa De Vanna and leading goalscorer Larissa Crummer
De Vanna has been named after recovering from injury while Crummer – who has netted on 11 times this season – sat out last week’s win with a one match suspension.
Defender Rebekah Stott has been omitted nonetheless, serving international duty with New Zealand in a pair of Olympic qualifiers.
The first time Montemurro’s squad squared off against the Roar, it took 50 minutes of stubborn resistance before the floodgates opened as City cruised to a 4-0 win.
It was the reverse fixture however, which drew the most talking points. City secured the 2015-16 Westfield W-League Premier’s Plate with victory over Brisbane on the Gold Coast.
It was one of City’s largest challenges, edging out the Roar in a dramatic 1-0 win.
On paper, Brisbane boasts one of the best lists in the competition but will be without arguably its best player, Katrina Gorry.
The dangerous midfielder picked up her fourth yellow card of the season in last week’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle, ruling he rout for Monday’s semi-final.
Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar
Monday 25 January 2016
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 4.30pm
(Hyundai A-League double-header – Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix)
Tickets from Ticketek
* Watch all the action Live from 4.30pm nationally on Fox Sports (Channel 505), or ABC TV. Or catch-up on ABC iView.
** Listen LIVE on TuneIn – http://tunein.com/radio/Melbourne-City-W-League-Live-s256286/
Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #MCYvBRI
Melbourne City squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk), 3. Alex Chidiac, 4. Jennifer Beattie, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Stephanie Catley, 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jessica Fishlock, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 14. Melina Ayres, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Anisa Guajardo, 20. Trudy Burke (gk)
Ins: Larissa Crummer, Lisa De Vanna
Outs: Rebekah Stott (New Zealand international duty)
Unavailable: Monique Iannella (knee – indefinite)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Haley Kopmeyer (gk), 3. Amy Chapman, 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c), 6. Angela Beard, 7. Gabe Marzano, 8. Ayesha Norrie, 12. Alisha Foote, 13. Tameka Butt, 14. Summer O’Brien, 15. Ruth Blackburn, 16. Ashley Spina, 17. Emily Gielnik, 18. Maili Forbes, 19. Sofie Persson, 20. Carrie Simpson (gk)
Ins: Ashley Spina, Maili Forbes (both promoted)
Outs: Katrina Gorry (suspended – 1 week), Kirsty Yallop (New Zealand international duty),
Unavailable: Brooke Goodrich (injured)
