Melbourne Victory can confirm its squad for the upcoming NPLW season.
The team, led by Head Coach, Santi Escudero, will enter the competition for the first time in 2026, following an extensive process and more than 10 years of lobbying by the Club within the football pyramid to be issued a licence.
Victory’s squad, which features 40 players registered for the senior and U20s competition, includes 11 members of Jeff Hopkins A-League Women’s roster.
80% of the footballers have emerged through a Melbourne Victory programme, such as PAC and pathways, with eight of the group having represented the Junior or Young Matildas. These are Rosie Curtis, Alice Francou, Leyla Hussein, Georgia Groidis, Ella O’Grady, Poppy O’Keeffe, Sienna Saveska and Aeryn Tarrant. Emily Rutkowski has represented East Timor at U20s level.
Meanwhile, 15 of the players competed at the Nationals in 2025, across the U15s and U16s age group competitions.
2026 Melbourne Victory NPLW squad:
Astrid BOCCI, Mila BULIC, Kiara CALAFIORE, Sierra COLANTUONO, Grace CORCORAN, Mia CRAWFORD, Rosie CURTIS, Anika DOVASTON, Alice FRANCOU, Maisey GASPER, Georgia GROIDIS, Violet HALL, Leyla HUSSEIN, Fiorina IARIA, Belma KADIRIC, Shaylee LANE, Ella LEE, Chloe MCKENZIE, Jasmine MILLAR, Catherine MOULE, Olivia NICOLAZZO, Ella O’GRADY, Poppy O’KEEFFE, Natalie PICAK, Laura PICKETT, Mica REGEV, Willow RUGERS, Emily RUTKOWSKI, Sienna SAVESKA, Anastazia SIMIC, Lucy SIMIC, Jade TAM, April TANCIN, Aeryn TARRANT, Sienna TECHERA, Emma TIERI, Emmy TRAYNOR, Christina TSINGELIDIS, Tanisha WINSTANLEY, Jessica YOUNG.
NPLW Manager, Emma Checker, spoke about the new season.
“It’s exciting to see a new generation players take first steps towards what we hope will be professional careers. The group is ready for the challenge ahead and, with just a few weeks to go, eager to begin our 2026 fixture schedule.
“All of the staff are excited to see the players continue their journeys this season and wish them every success representing Victory.”
Director of Football, John Didulica, discussed the squad’s composition:
“The challenge is always striking a balance between getting results and player development; and designing our program to ensure that one supports the other. I am confident that our highly credentialed leadership of Santi Escudero, Emma Checker and Johno Clemente, supported by the wider staff, will achieve this.”
Victory’s NPLW Senior side will begin the campaign by visiting Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club on Saturday, February 14, kick-off 4pm AEDT.
A full fixture schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
Admission will be free to all home NPLW fixtures.
