Head Coaches Tony Popovic and Jeff Hopkins have named their first extended squads of the new year.
Melbourne Victory Men’s side will head out on the first of a three-game road trip this weekend as they face Perth Glory on Saturday night at HBF Park while Victory’s Women’s side will return to the Home of the Matildas on Saturday to take on Western United.
Matildas attacker Emily Gielnik returns to the squad after spending a lengthy period on the sideline due to a calf injury.
Midfielder Beattie Goad will be taking a leave of absence in January to prepare for an important period of her medical studies and allow her to refresh in anticipation of her return for the second half of the season.
Melbourne Victory Women
1.Lydia WILLIAMS, 2.Jamilla RANKIN, 3.Tori HANSEN, 4.Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5.Jessika NASH, 7.Ella O’GRADY, 8.Alana MURPHY, 9.Emily GIELNIK, 10.Alex CHIDIAC, 11.McKenzie WEINERT, 13.Kurea OKINO, 15.Emma CHECKER, 16.Paige ZOIS, 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 22.Ava BRIEDIS, 23.Rachel LOWE, 27.Rosie CURTIS
Ins: 9.Emily GIELNIK, 7.Ella O’GRADY, 27.Rosie CURTIS
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 6.Beattie GOAD
Head Coach Tony Popovic will be tasked with replacing the league’s top goal scorer with striker Bruno Fornaroli leaving for international duty with the Socceroos at the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.
The return of Adama Traore and Jordi Valadon are welcome inclusions into Popovic’s side that are set to take on Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Traore missed last weekend’s Original Rivalry due to concussion protocol after suffering a head knock the week before.
Melbourne Victory Men
2.Jason GERIA, 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Zinedine MACHACH, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAPMAN, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18.Fabian MONGE, 19.Daniel ARZANI, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 24.Eli ADAMS, 25.Ryan TEAGUE, 27.Jordi VALADON, 40.Christian SICILIANO
Ins: 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 27.Jordi VALADON
Outs: 10.Bruno FORNAROLI
