The team is in ahead of Sunday afternoon’s clash with Newcastle. See who’s in and who’s out of this week’s side.
Melbourne City FC will be bolstered by two key inclusions ahead of their match with Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
City captain Steph Catley will make her first appearances for the season, after sitting out the first five rounds with a knee injury. Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side will be boosted by the left-back’s ability to fulfil her defensive duties while playing a key role in attack, alongside her on-field leadership.
Alongside Catley in defence, City welcomes back New Zealand international Rebekah Stott from international duty with the Football Ferns.
After an electrifying start to the 2018/19 Westfield W-League season, Stott departed the CFA, qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the process. Her defensive qualities combined with her dash out of defence will be a welcome asset to Vidosic’s side.
Catley’s return sees Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s contract come to an end, with the defender filling in as an injury-replacement for the skipper. The three-time championship winner played a key role in defence in the opening five games of the season.
The final squad will be cut down by two, 90-minutes prior to kick-off on Sunday afternoon. City face Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday 9 December, kick-off 2:30pm (AEDT).
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Chelsea BLISSETT, 5.Helen CACERES, 7.Steph CATLEY, 8.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 12.Adriana JONES, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Kyah SIMON, 22.Jasmyne SPENCER, 23.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 31.Tameka BUTT, 88.Theresa NIELSEN
**two to be omitted**
In: 7.Steph CATLEY, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 16.Sofia SAKALIS (promoted)
Out: 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (injury-replacement contract complete)
Unavailable: nil
