Melbourne Victory visit Western Sydney Wanderers in Matchweek 1 of the Ninja A-League.
The Girls in Blue head interstate for their 2026/27 opener, facing last season’s wooden spoon at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday, October 17, kick-off 3:00pm AEDT.
Jeff Hopkins’ side has been strengthened during the off-season, with five new faces – Ayana Aoyagi, Angela Beard, Sophie Harding, Anna Sutter and Alicia Woods – being added to the exisiting playing group at the Head Coach’s disposal.
Supporters can watch the A-League curtain-raiser versus Wanderers, who Victory beat home and away last term, live on Paramount+.
The Girls in Blue
Melbourne Victory will be determined to continue their excellent record against Western Sydney Wanderers when they visit New South Wales this weekend, having won four of the last five Ninja A-League meetings.
The most recent was a 1-0 win for the Girls in Blue at the Home of the Matildas in March, when Holly Furphy’s second-half goal split the two sides.
Wanderers, looking to avoid a continuation of their status as basement dwellers, will have a new, albeit familiar look to the keen observers this weekend, with their 2026/27 roster including former Victory players Laura Pickett, Rhianna Pollicina and Sofia Sakalis.
Hopkins’ resources have accordingly been stocked and bolstered going into Matchweek 1. Championship winner Angie Beard is back, with Brisbane Roar also being raided for the services of Alicia Woods. 2024 Julie Dolan Medallist Sophie Harding is primed to lead the line, as overseas prospect Skye Leach and goalkeeper Ayana Aoyagi add options for the midfield and between the sticks. Thursday’s confirmation of Anna Sutter’s switch from Sweden arms the team with a versatile operator.
MW 1 squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 2. Skye LEACH, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Sophie HARDING, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Sienna SAVESKA, 13. Angela BEARD, 14. Alicia WOODS, 16. Anna SUTTER, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 21. Jasmine MILLAR, 25. Ayana AOYAGI, 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Chloe McKENZIE, 31. Shaylee LANE, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI.
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 11. Nicki FLANNERY (injury), 88. Grace MAHER (injury), 17. Poppy O’KEEFFE (injury), 20. Leyla HUSSEIN (International duty).
Last time out
The A-League Women’s team are back in competitive action for the first time since their 2026 Finals Series came to a conclusion at the hands of Melbourne City in early May.
Melbourne Victory were edged by a single goal in each leg of the Semi-Final, losing 2-0 on aggregate to the eventual champions.
Prior to this, the Girls in Blue had produced an all-time finals performance to knock-off Canberra United, winning 1-3 at McKellar Park in the do-or-die Elimination Final.
A disappointing 2025/26 season would end on a positive note for Western Sydney Wanderers, as they claimed a narrow win away to Wellington Phoenix.
Yuan Cong’s effort 12 minutes from time – to share the Wanderers’ in-house golden boot with Talia Younis – gave them a fifth and final maximum of the campaign.
It also took them level on points with Sydney FC, but it was not enough to get them above the Sky Blues on goal difference.
