As the defending A-League Women champions, Melbourne Victory will strive to make history by winning three consecutive championships in 2022/23.
Last season
A-League Women: 4th
Finals: Champions (1st )
They’ll win the league because…
Having won the championship last year, the team will be confident heading into this season. As a result, multiple victories can be achieve.
Another championship and even premiership success may be in the offing if the Victory start the season strong by winning six of their first nine games, as they did last season.
As the best goalkeeper of the 2021/22 season, Casey Dumont will help Victory leak few goals.
Kayla Morrison also returns from injury, which could help Claudia Bunge and Gema Simon continue their excellent work from last year.
In attack, if the club’s championship-winning front three of Catherine Zimmerman, Melina Ayres, and Lia Privitelli lead the attack once again, the club should see excellent results.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
The departure of Kyra Cooney-Cross will be felt in the squad. The 20-year-old Matilda played beyond her years in the blue uniform and her absence will be felt at times.
Talk around the water cooler…look smart in front of your colleagues with this valuable piece of information
Melbourne Victory have won two championships since the A-League Women began. A grand final has always been the club’s destiny every time it has placed third on the ladder.
The off-season brought…
In preparation for another championship defence, Victory’s biggest purchase was the signing of experienced Newcastle Jets defender Simon.
Simon has shown throughout her career that she is more than just an attacking defender. In addition to her versatility, she has proven to be effective as a winger when deployed further up front.
Last season, Simon only played three games with the Jets due to injury. As she joins her old team, she will strive to make an immediate impact.
Key players
With so much experience, new signings Elise Kellond-Knight and Gema Simon can help the team surpass expectations.
One to watch
Elise Kellond-Knight.
Having previously represented Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City in the A-League Women’s competition, the 32-year-old joins Melbourne Victory from Swedish top-flight club Hammarby.
Kellond-Knight has played over 100 times for the Matildas, participating at the 2011, 2015, and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She was recently selected for the Matildas most recent squad against Sweden and Thailand.
Among the upcoming players to watch is Alana Murphy, a young player with a lot of potential.
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Casey Dumont, Miranda Elizabeth Templeman
Defenders: Beatrice Southby Goad, Claudia Mary Bunge, Gema Ann Simon, Elise Kellond-Knight
Midfielders: Alana Murphy, Alexandra Carla Chidiac, Amy Jackson, Anna Liacopoulos, Ava Briedis, Natalie Tathem, Paige Zois, Rosie Curtis, Tiffany Eliadis
Forwards: Catherine Zimmerman, Lia Maree Privitelli, Maja Markovski, Melina Mathilde Ayres
Feature image credit: Peter Hugg
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