A-League W: Every team’s off-season movements graded before season kick off

On paper the champions look likely to struggle this season but as anyone who follows the A-League Women’s knows – nothing is ever certain in this competition.

It is shaping up to be a blockbuster season with a number of new international players joining the league.

Dutch player Bente Jansen at Brisbane Roar is expected to soar and Canberra United have landed prolific striker Emma Hawkins from the US.

The on field action will remain accessible for free with six season games on Channel 10s free to air network and four finals games as well.

All other matches will be broadcast on 10 Play and Paramount.

A Paramount Australia spokesman said the games on free-to-air would include a pre-game and half time show and on-site commentators.

“The APL is debuting a new broadcast hub this season, offering more cameras and higher-quality coverage. Fans can enjoy the improved experience across our platforms,” the spokesman said.

With the Women’s Asian Cup to be played on home soil in March the spokesman hopes to see audience numbers grow.

“We have plans in place to cross-promote the Ninja A-League Women’s ahead of the Asian Women’s Cup, it is such an exciting time to be highlighting the growth of women’s football and showcasing our Australian players,” the spokesman said.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming ALW season as we believe it promises to be a high-stakes competition. Given players are vying for selection in the Women’s Asian Cup every match will double as a chance for Matildas hopefuls eager to earn their spot on the national stage to prove themselves. We believe we are in for some truly powerful performances this season.”

Let’s take a look at how the teams rated:

Adelaide United

Grade: A

Why: Adelaide United did something it had never done before last season – play semi-finals. It has given the squad a taste of finals football and a drive to take it a step further. They have kept the likes of Erin Healy and Fiona Worts on the books along with Emily Condon, Dylan Holmes and Ella Tonkin. And they have bolstered the squad by picking up twins Adriana Taranto and Melissa Taranto from Western United. While United have had a change of coach over the off-season with Theo Tsiounis stepping in to his first A-League’s head coach role he is very familiar with a lot of the players due to a lengthy career coaching in South Australia’s NPL system. This squad is going to be hard to beat and will be determined to go further than they did last season.

Position: 1st

Player to watch: Fiona Worts – she banged in 12 goals for Adelaide last season and seems to have an uncanny ability to pull out a goal when it is needed most.

Full squad:

Katie Bowler, Emily Condon, Isabel Hodgson, Dylan Holmes, Zoe Tolland, Erin Healy, Emily Hodgson, Claudia Jenkins, Ella Tonkin, Fiona Worts, Sarah Morgan, Sian Dewey, Chelsie Dawber, Matilda McNamara, Holly Murray, Lara Gooch, Adriana Taranto, Melissa Taranto, Amelie Millar, Ilona Melegh, Paige Zois, Emilia Makris, Carina Rossi

Brisbane Roar

Grade: A

Why: Brisbane Roar had a really solid run last season and if it wasn’t for injuries near the end of the season they would have been playing finals. They have recruited well in the off-season with Sharn Freier rejoining and Dutch player Bente Jansen signing. They have four capped Matildas in the side along with a good mix of talented up and comers like Zara Kruger, Alicia Woods and goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln. Roar certainly have the line-up to be back in finals contention this season.

Prediction: 4th

Player to watch: Bente Jansen: A Dutch player who has won multiple trophies in overseas leagues. A very technical player.

Full squad:

Zara Kruger, Leia Varley, Tahlia Franco, Kijah Stephenson, Momo Hayashi, Kyla Hanson, Ava Piazza, Tameka Yallop, Kiera Meyers, Aimee Medwin, Sharn Freier, Grace Kuilamu, Chloe Lincoln, Isabela Hoyos, Alicia Woods, Ruby Cuthbert, Daisy Brown, Ashlyn Miller, Bente Jansen, Josie Studer, Marianna Seidl, Amali Kinsella

Canberra United

Grade: B+

Why: Canberra United often struggle to retain players given the continuous uncertainty over the club’s future but with Antonio Jagarinec returning as coach and the core group of players remaining the same, Canberra could really prove challengers this season. Prolific striker Michelle Heyman is back and will be joined up front by equally as lethal American forward Emma Hawkins. They have talent in each third of the pitch.

Prediction: 6th

Player to watch: Emma Hawkins – A prolific striker who has honed her skills in the US College system and overseas leagues.

Full squad:

Michelle Heyman, Emma Robers, Tegan Bertolissio, Bethany Gordon, Coco Majstorovic, Sally James, Mary Stanic-Floody, Darcey Malone, Nanako Sasaki, Hayley Taylor-Young, Emma Hawkins, Kiara De Domizio, Jazmin Wardlow, Josie Aulicino, Sasha Grove, Ava Briedis, Sienna Dale, Janet King, Eliza Evans

Central Coast Mariners

Grade: C+

Why: The reigning champions have struggled to hold on to a lot of players, including Bianca Galic, Jessika Nash and Taylor Ray, after the departure of coach Emily Husband, who is now the Matildas assistant coach. Isabel Gomez, Peta Trimis and Tiana Fuller are all back but all three are still young. Kory Babington has taken over as coach and has crossed paths with a number of the players during his time with the Future Matildas program at Westfields Sports High School. Millie Farrow is a good experienced addition but it would take a big effort for this young squad to make finals this season.

Prediction: 9th

Player to watch: Tiana Fuller – she is the 16-year-old whiz kid who has been likened to Sam Kerr.

Full squad:

Isabel Gomez, Taren King, Tess Quilligan, Annalise Rasmussen, Peta Trimis, Annabel Martin, Baxter Thew, Greta Kraszula, Tamar Levin, Jynaya Dos Santos, Annalee Grove, Tiana Fuller. Millie Farrow, Avanni Prakash, Elizabeth Barwick-Grey, Baylee Broomhead, Isabella Coco-Di Sipio, Blake Hughes, Maya Fernandez, Sophia Varley, Jaya Bowman, Eliza Familton, Sarah Langman, Lorena Bowman, Cannon Clough, Baxter Thew

Melbourne City

Grade: B+

Why: As reigning premiers and a well resourced club Melbourne City never struggle to sign players. They have managed to retain quite a few from the team that went undefeated all regular season including league golden boot winner Holly McNamara. Nigerian international Chinaza Uchendu will be one to watch.

Prediction: 2nd

Player to watch: Chinaza Uchendu – the Nigerian midfielder has played around the world and represented her country on the international stage 10 times. She is speedy and great on the ball.

Full squad:

Alexia Apostolakis, Bryleeh Henry, Laura Hughes, Shelby McMahon, Karly Roestbakken, Danielle Turner, Holly McNamara, Malena Mieres, Taylor Otto, Deven Jackson, Melissa Barbieri, Rebekah Stott, Caitlin Karic, Chinaza Uchendu, Leah Davidson, Aideen Keane, Kaya Jugovic, Danella Butrus, Izabella Rako, Keira Sarris, Ayana Aoyagi, Ellie Wilson, Leticia McKenna, Dali Gorr Burchmore

Melbourne Victory

Grade: B

Why: They lost the grand final on a penalty shootout and during the off season lost a number of long time A-League players including Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac. They have recruited fairly well picking up Chelsea Blissett from Roar and Rhianna Pollicina from rivals City but with quite a few changes it might take them a few rounds to find their groove.

Prediction: 3rd

Player to watch: Sienna Saveska – was a standout at Western Sydney Wanderers last season, scoring seven goals. At just 19 the Young Matildas player has a lot of potential.

Full squad:

Claudia Bunge, Rosie Curtis, Holly Furphy, Grace Maher, Chelsea Blissett, Courtney Newbon, Sofia Sakalis, Taylor Ray, Rhianna Pollicina, Nickoletta Flannery, Sienna Saveska, Kennedy White, Kayla Morrison, Zoe McMeeken, Rachel Lowe, Laura Pickett, Alana Jancevski, Ella O’Grady, Sienna Techera, Jessica Young, Fiorina Iaria, Payton Woodward, Poppy O’Keeffe, Leyla Hussein, Chloe McKenzie, Natalie Picak

Newcastle Jets

Grade: B-

Why: The Jets struggled last season with just five wins but have hit the reset button hiring Stephen Hoyle to take the reins as coach. Striker Melina Ayres, who took a break last season, is also back in the side. But with just a five week pre-season the Jets might struggle to find their groove.

Prediction: 10th

Player to watch: Natasha Prior – the capped Matildas player grows every match. The impressive centre-back is never afraid to put her body on the line.

Full squad:

India Breier, Claudia Cicco, Emma Dundas, Sophie Hoban, Natasha Prior, Anna Leat, Kelli Brown, Lauren Allan, Cassidy Davis, Claire Adams, Josie Wilson, Elizabeth Copus-Brown, Charlotte Lancaster, Melina Ayres, Josie Allan, Haley Johnson, Georgia Ritchie, Ally Boertje, Emma Bates, Zoe Karipidis, Alexis Collins, Olivia Page

Perth Glory

Grade: B+

Why: Retaining the majority of the squad after finishing 10th, says a lot about the coaching of Stephen Peters. If Glory can find a way to deliver results on the road – they didn’t win a single away match last season – they could stand to challenge for a spot in the finals series. The combination of Naomi Chinnama and Onyinyechi Zogg is only going to grow and become more of a headache for attackers. Rola Badawiya and former Western Sydney Wanderers attacker Bronte Trew are also solid additions.

Prediction: 8th

Player to watch: Naomi Chinnama – the Young Matildas player is hard to miss in the backline – she is daring on the ball and brave in a tackle.

Full squad:

Georgia Cassidy, Gabrielle Hollar, Grace Johnston, Natalie Tathem, Megan Wynne, Jessica Skinner, Charli Wainwright, Emma Tovar, Isobel Dalton, Julia Sardo, Tijan McKenna, Sarah O’Donoghue, Onyinyechi Zogg, Susan Phonsongkham, Ella Abdul Massih, Rola Badawiya, Mischa Anderson, Ella Lincoln, Clancy Westaway, Naomi Thomas-Chinnama, Ischia Brooking, Megan Phillips, Bronte Trew, Olivia Wood, Teresa Morrissey, Tanika Lala

Sydney FC

Grade: B

Why: After failing to make finals for the first time in the league’s history it is no surprise Sydney FC went on a signing blitz in the off-season. They lost Kyah Simon and Princess Ibini to overseas leagues and Millie Farrow, Faye Bryson and Marguax Chauvet also handed back the sky blues kit. Securing the signature of Panama international Riley Tanner could well give Sydney FC a spark on the wing that they have been missing since Cortnee Vine departed for the NWSL. Tanner, 25, is a dynamic winger who has been honing her skills in the USA. She was part of the Panama side that pulled off a shock 1-0 win over the Matildas.

Prediction: 5th

Player to watch: Hana Lowry – given more time on the pitch Hana Lowry stands to prove a menace in the midfield.

Full squad:

Shay Hollman, Abbey Lemon, Hana Lowry, Natalie Tobin, Heather Hinz, Madison Ayson, Riley Tanner, Jodi Ülkekul, Laurie-Ann Moise, Kirsty Fenton, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Amber Luchtmeijer, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Madeleine Caspers, Bianca Galic, Claire Corbett, Willa Pearson, Skye Halmarick, Rubi Sullivan, Tiahna Robertson, Alyse Oppedisano, Indiana Dos Santos, Tori Tumeth, Amelia Cassar, Sofia Fante

Wellington Phoenix

Grade: A

Why: Wellington Phoenix get huge credit for securing Olympic winning Canadian coach Bev Priestman. Priestman has signed some big names and also kept a lot of local New Zealand talent on the books. The five-week pre-season might be too short though to get the new look team fully on board with Priestman’s plan but they are sure to have more wins than last season. Lucia Leon was a star at Adelaide last season and should shine at Wellington. Championship player Brooke Nunn has also joined the ranks. While Grace Jale and Macey Fraser get better every season. If they can find their rhythm quickly they could well push for a spot in the finals.

Prediction: 7th

Player to watch: Lucia Leon – she scored five goals and registered three assists for Adelaide, her first season in the A-League, there is no doubt she has more to deliver.

Full squad:

Alyssa Whinham, Daisy Brazendale, Manaia Elliott, Aimee Feinberg-Danieli, Olivia Ingham, Victoria Esson, Tiana Jaber, Mackenzie Barry, Ellie Walker, Tessel Middag, Grace Jale, Lucia Leon, Marisa Van Der Meer, Sabitra Bhandari, Emma Main, Lara Wall, Macey Fraser, CJ Bott, Ella McCann, Ela Jerez, Ella McMillan, Brooke Neary, Pia Vlok, Brooke Nunn, Harriet Muller

Western Sydney Wanderers

Grade: C

Why: This will be Geoff Abrahams’ first full season in charge of the squad. While they have a number of experienced players, Sienna Saveska and Sophie Harding will be hard to replace. The addition of Western United player Alana Cerne will be a boost. Wanderers remain a very young squad.

Prediction: 11th

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Player to watch: Cushla Rue – a versatile player you can dart down the wing or hold the defensive line with plenty of match minutes last season Rue is sure to have more to offer.

Full squad:

Amelia Bennett, Janae DeFazio, Ena Harada, Talia Younis, Amy Chessari, Ella Buchanan, Holly Caspers, Amy Harrison, Shamiran Khamis, Danika Matos, Olivia Price, Cushla Rue, Brianna Edwards, Alana Cerne, Poppie Hooks, Alvina Khoshaba, Miriam Zumaya, Siena Arrarte, Nikkita Fazzari, Anika Stajcic, Allyssa Ng-Saad, Annabelle Croll, Amy Barker, Aimee Hall