Following a busy transfer period that saw numerous arrivals, departures and contract extensions at the Club, here’s a wrap-up of Melbourne Victory Women’s activity in the off-season.
Incomings
Coming off a record-breaking season that fell narrowly short of achieving silverware, Victory made a number of impressive signings in the pursuit of going all the way in 2025/26.
The first arrival would be the four-time Ninja A-League Champion, Taylor Ray, on September 1.
A naturally gifted midfielder who covered in the backline for the Central Coast Mariners last season, the highly decorated 24-year-old represented the Matildas in 2022.
The next signings would follow in a quick burst, with two more announced on the following day.
Early on September 2, athletic American striker Kennedy White joined ahead of the season – an exciting signing for the Club.
Registering a remarkable 32 goals and 17 assists last season for Hungarian side Győri ETO FC, the 25-year-old will certainly be one to watch up front.
Sienna Saveska would make the switch to navy blue later in the day, joining Victory from Western Sydney Wanderers.
At just 18 years old, the creative attacking midfielder scored an impressive seven goals in 22 league appearances last season, possessing a dangerous left foot that can find the back of the net from just about anywhere.
On the following day, Chelsea Blissett’s arrival at the Club would be announced, returning to Melbourne after a two-year stint with Brisbane Roar.
Lacking natural left-sided defenders last season, Blissett provides crucial depth and versatility to Victory’s backline.
On the 5th of September, five rising stars would be added to the A-League Women’s roster.
Making her first-team debut in March 2025 against Canberra United, 21-year-old midfielder Jessica Young would agree to sign-on for the season.
Fresh off an NPLW Victorian-winning campaign with Box Hill United, Sienna Techera signed with the Club alongside fellow 18-year-old winger, Fiorina Iaria.
Boosting Victory’s goalkeeping ranks, 25-year-old American shot-stopper Payton Woodward and teenager Chloe McKenzie were both added to the squad after impressive showings in the NPLW.
Finishing off a week full of eye-grabbing signings, Victory would announce the star signing of Rhianna Pollicina.
A two-time A-League Women’s Premier and three-time PFA Team of the Season player, Pollicina joined the Club from rivals City after leading Box Hill United to the NPLW Victoria Championship during the off-season with an impressive five goals and four assists in 11 games.
Victory’s arrivals did not stop here, later signing four more players in the final stretch of pre-season.
On September 17, Melbourne-born Kiwi fullback Zoe McMeeken was signed for the season ahead.
With 55 A-League Women’s appearances to her name at 21 years of age, the right-back has competed at two FIFA U20 World Cups for the Junior Football Ferns.
The return of Grace Maher would be announced one week later, coming back to the Club after spending time in Victory colours from 2018 to 2020.
Capable of playing in defence and midfield, the left-footed 26-year-old provides valuable quality and experience to the squad.
Victory’s penultimate addition would be Academy graduate Poppy O’Keeffe, who notably became the first female player to progress through Victory’s entire academy to a first-team contract.
A 17-year-old midfielder who featured in all available minutes for the FV Academy in the 2025 NPLW Victoria season, O’Keeffe has had experience around the first team since she was 14 years old as a train-on player.
Natalie Picak would be Victory’s final signing of the window, joining the Club on a Youth Development contract ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Named as the NPLW Victoria Goalkeeper of the Year as an 18-year-old in 2023, Picak has since gone on to receive a call-up to the Young Matildas and spend two seasons at Western United.
Most recently playing for Bentleigh Greens in the 2025 NPLW season, Picak is a valuable final addition to Victory’s keeping ranks at just 20 years old.
Outgoings
After a special 2024/25 campaign, Victory’s star players attracted interest from across the globe.
Matildas forward and Victory’s Golden Boot winner Emily Gielnik would be the first to depart on July 2, joining Mexican club C.F. Monterrey.
Later in the month, two-time Julie Dolan Medallist Alex Chidiac made the move to Italian Serie A team FC Como for a Club record fee.
Rewarded for signing the Matildas midfielder to a full-time contract two years ago, Chidiac’s time in navy blue will be fondly remembered.
On August 12, young star Alana Murphy made the move to promotion-contending German second division club SC Sand.
American midfielder Sara D’Appolonia would also make the move to SC Sand days later, departing Victory with 47 matches played across her two seasons in the A-League Women’s.
Late in August, legendary goalkeeper Lydia Williams would announce her retirement from professional football, calling time on a remarkable career that saw her represent the Matildas on 103 occasions and play for European giants including Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain.
Although Williams would no longer play for Victory in between the sticks, the 36-year-old would remain at the Club after taking community and coaching roles, particularly focusing on program design and development in the First Nations and Women/Girls spaces.
On September 4, Victory would announce the departures of quartet Ellie Wilson, Paige Zois, Ava Briedis and Geo Candy following the conclusion of their contracts.
The final departure would be the retirement of a Club legend, Lia Privitelli.
Since joining Victory in 2016, Privitelli spent all nine years of her career in navy blue, taking the captaincy in 2021 and being a part of the back-to-back Championship-winning sides in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
While injuries have limited the 31-year-old’s impact on the field, her presence in the changing room as a leader and role model has well and truly cemented Privitelli’s status as a Victory legend.
Re-signings
Putting together yet another season that saw the Club competing for silverware, keeping hold and maintaining the core of Victory’s success was vital heading into 2025/26.
Shortly after the 2024/25 campaign’s conclusion, iconic head coach Jeff Hopkins was confirmed to be remaining at the helm for next two seasons.
Since joining the Club in 2016, Hopkins has guided the Victory to a Premiership in 2018/19, back-to-back Championships in 2020/21 and 2021/22, and broke records for most wins and clean sheets in 2024/25.
After a string of departures, Victory was thrilled to announce the re-signings of the ASEAN Championship-winning trio for the Australian U23 National Team, Alana Jančevski, Holly Furphy and Sofia Sakalis.
All playing important roles in Victory’s success last season, the three amigas were vital players that the Club managed to retain for 2025/26.
Six days later, the Club announced that another trio of players would remain at Victory for the season, this time Courtney Newbon, Rachel Lowe and Nicki Flannery.
Players all in their mid-twenties, ensuring goalkeeper Newbon, attacking midfielder Lowe and winger Flannery would stick around at Victory sustained top quality across the field.
To close out the month, Victory’s final re-signings would be the young duo of Laura Pickett and Ella O’Grady.
A versatile 22-year-old who can cover across the backline and midfield, Pickett was rewarded with a contract extension for the upcoming season, while O’Grady is an electric attacker who is heading into her third season with the Club and has notably represented Australia at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in 2024.
Analysis from Director of Football, John Didulica
Reflecting on the transfer window, Melbourne Victory Director of Football John Didulica expressed his pleasure with the Club’s off-season activity.
“We have built a squad capable of challenging for trophies on every front and our ultimate goal is for Melbourne Victory to be represented on the global stage through Asia.
In addition to investing in a squad capable of achieving this, we have built a great team off the pitch to ensure the players are well-serviced with every member of staff, led by Jeff Hopkins, wholly committed to our A-League Women’s team.
Whilst it is always sad to see a player like Chids depart, being able to transfer her internationally for a club record fee augurs well for our ability to increasingly invest in our players and our program, year on year.”
