Melbourne Victory have managed to attract some of the biggest names in the Liberty A-League into their midfield ranks ahead of season 2022/23.
Headlined by the arrival of Elise Kellond-Knight and the return of Alex Chidiac, Victory’s midfield is certainly not lacking in quality or experience.
Kellond-Knight will offer a major boost to Victory both on and off the pitch, with over 100 Matildas caps to her name and having featured in three World Cups.
“KK” has endured several difficult years dogged by injury and will view the upcoming season as a prime opportunity to return to her best ahead of next year’s home World Cup.
Chidiac meanwhile is a crucial re-signing for Jeff Hopkins’ side having starred last season after joining in January, driving the team towards Championship success and winning the Victory Medal.
However, the Victory midfield is not limited to established superstars, with several future stars of the competition including Alana Murphy, Paige Zois, Ava Briedis and Rosie Curtis also in the squad.
Murphy and Zois are both products of Victory’s Elite Girls Program from previous years, with Murphy earning plenty of admirers last season with several impressive performances whilst Zois was part of the Young Matildas squad for the U20 World Cup earlier this year.
Briedis and Curtis are two of the newest graduates from the Elite Girls Program, signing their first professional contracts with the club ahead of this season and providing invaluable depth to Victory’s midfield stocks.
The younger members of the squad will no doubt benefit from the mentorship of Amy Jackson who returns for yet another season, whilst Tiffany Eliadis offers further depth and versatility.
A healthy mix of youth and experience equips the Victory midfield with the ability to wreak havoc in the upcoming season as well as setting the team up for long-term success.
