Melbourne Victory’s quest for a third consecutive year of A-League Women silverware has taken an exciting leap forward with the new squad taking shape over the last week.
Fullback Jessika Nash, midfielder Gema Simon and forward Beattie Goad headline the fresh faces set to bolster each line.
The trio each bring national level experience with the Matildas and will play key roles in the back-to-back Championship defence.
Among the returning stars, Melina Ayres stands out as one to watch heading into the new campaign after starring in last year’s run to the title.
Ayres missed majority of the season before returning for the final push and scoring in the Semi-Final in Adelaide and the Preliminary Final against City.
The striker – who sits second in all-time Victory Women’s goals – will form a threatening partnership with fellow returning star Catherine Zimmerman and new teammate Goad.
Kayla Morrison‘s return from a serious knee injury will be another exciting storyline, with the American hoping to join full training once pre-season training officially gets underway.
Emerging midfielder and Victory academy product Paige Zois spent the off-season in Costa Rica for the U20 World Cup with the Young Matildas and is eyeing consistent playing time upon returning to Melbourne.
Reigning A-League Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Grand Final Player of the Match Casey Dumont‘s signature was another significant coup for Victory, as was the recommitment from New Zealand national team defender Claudia Bunge.
The heartwarming news of the week arrived on Sunday with the elevation of academy products Ava Briedis and Rosie Curtis to their first professional contracts.
The midfield duo progressed through the Club’s Elite Girls Program and have joined the A-League Women squad on scholarship contracts.
Under the tutelage of Head Coach Jeff Hopkins, Victory is confident of competing for silverware again in 2022/23.
The A-League Women season will kick off on November 19, with the full fixture to be released soon.
Returning…
- Casey Dumont
- Lia Privitelli
- Catherine Zimmerman
- Tiff Eliadis
- Claudia Bunge
- Kayla Morrison
- Amy Jackson
- Alana Murphy
- Paige Zois
- Maja Markovski
- Melina Ayres
New…
- Jessika Nash
- Beattie Goad
- Gema Simon
- Miranda Templeman
- Natalie Tathem
- Ava Briedis (scholarship)
- Rosie Curtis (scholarship)
