After a week off following its season opening win away to Wellington, City will return to action in the A-League Women’s this Saturday afternoon.
Now led by interim Head Coach Dario Vidosic, City will play at home for the first time this season with Brisbane Roar travelling to Casey Fields in Round 3.
We’re opening the gates for our first home match of the season! Click here to redeem your free ticket via Ticketbooth.
Here’s a few things you should be keeping an eye out for come Saturday afternoon!
A return for Captain Checker?
There were a couple of notable absentees from City’s season opener, with both Karly Roestbakken and captain Emma Checker missing through injury.
Although the team was missing plenty of experience at the back in this key defensive duo, a deflected shot in the 82nd minute was all that beat goalkeeper Sally James.
While a bye early in the season may be a little frustrating when it comes to building chemistry and cohesion in a team, it would’ve certainly been welcomed by City’s medical staff.
Roestbakken remains sidelined for Saturday’s clash, but Checker has been included in the squad and is in the mix for selection for City’s first home match of the season.
Another Pollicina party?
Wearing the armband for Round 1 in Checker’s absence, Rhianna Pollicina put in a performance worthy of the ‘captain’ title.
It came as little surprise to City fans and those who closely followed the league last season after Pollicina broke out in what was her first year in Melbourne.
She found the back of the net seven times while providing a further three assists, and didn’t take long to open her tally in both categories back in Round 1.
Pollicina had a hand in three of the four goals, netting two herself and assisting Maria Jose Rojas who also put in a standout performance on the day.
Does the lineup change?
A reshuffle amongst the coaching ranks within the club has seen Dario Vidosic take over the reins from Rado, but it remains to be seen in terms of the lineup and the way the team plays.
The early signs would point to no given Dario already had stepped in for the Round 1 clash with City not missing a beat in its season opener.
Chelsea Blissett and Leticia McKenna will both be pressing their case for a starting berth after beginning the season amongst the substitutes but impressing after entering the pitch.
The potential inclusions of Checker will also give Dario plenty to consider heading into Saturday’s clash with the Roar, and all will be revealed when team news drops an hour before kick-off!
