Ins and Outs: Matildas gun’s long-awaited ACL comeback, Bulls recruit set for debut

Melbourne City forward Holly McNamara is set to make her long-awaited return to Liberty A-League action this weekend, after more than a year spent sidelined by an ACL injury.

The 20-year-old was named 2021-22 Liberty A-League Young Footballer of the Year, scoring four goals in eight games prior to suffering the injury against Sydney FC in February, 2022.

McNamara earned a call-up to the Matildas squad as a result of her stellar A-League Women form, venturing to the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup where she made her debut against Indonesia in January.

The club states their young gun’s “long road to 100% fitness is finally complete”; McNamara comes into City’s Round 16 squad as one of the key “ins” ahead of this week’s A-Leagues action.

Don’t forget to get your fantasy squads ready prior to kick off in both the Isuzu UTE A-League and Liberty A-League! Catch up with the team news below to make sure your fantasy lineups are ready for battle.

VISIT THE A-LEAGUES FANTASY HUB!

FANTASY HEADLINES

A-LEAGUE WOMEN

  • McNamara is joined by Maria Jose Rojas in making a long-awaited return to Melbourne City’s squad
  • Chelsie Dawber’s loan spell at Adelaide United is over; she returns to National Women’s Soccer League club Chicago Red Stars
  • Sydney FC striker Madison Haley returns from injury for her side’s blockbuster clash with league-leaders Western United
  • Western United lose Kahli Johnson for Young Matildas duty, but bring new signing Tiana Jaber into the Round 16 squad

A-LEAGUE MEN

  • Western United’s Steven Lustica is in selection contention for the first time since November after a hamstring injury; he’s the latest of John Aloisi’s key championship figures to return to the fray, joined by Aleksandar Prijovic and Nikolai Topor-Stanley as three key “ins” for Round 19 after Ben Garuccio and Josh Risdon made their respective returns last weekend
  • Western Sydney Wadnerers regain Adama Traore and Yeni Ngbakoto from suspension
  • Kosta Barbarouses returns from injury for Wellington as Callan Elliot comes back from suspension
  • Melbourne City regain Scott Jamieson and Curtis Good from injury
  • Darryl Lachman misses out for Perth Glory after suffering a head injury against Brisbane Roar. Fellow Glory star Ryan Williams is out through suspension
  • Melbourne Victory midfielder Rai Marchan is back in contention after suffering a concussion against Adelaide United in mid-January

ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: ROUND 19

Adelaide United v Melbourne City

Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10.Zach CLOUGH, 11.Craig GOODWIN (c), 13.Lachlan BARR, 18.Jay BARNETT, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 23.Luke DUZEL, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 35.Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 41.Alexandar POPOVIĆ, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk), 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ, 55.Ethan ALAGICH, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA

Ins: 7.Ryan KITTO (returns from suspension), 18.Jay BARNETT (promoted)

Outs: nil

Unavailable: 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG (knee), 14.George BLACKWOOD (knee), 27.Josh CAVALLO (Achilles), 28.JUANDE (leg), 31.BERNARDO (international duty), 36.Panashe MADANHA (international duty), 37.Jonny YULL (International duty), 50.Steven HALL (hand)

Melbourne City squad: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 30. Luke ORESTI, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 36. Kerrin STOKES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS, 

Ins: 3. Scott JAMIESON (returns from injury), 22. Curtis GOOD (returns from injury), 30. Luke ORESTI (promoted).

Outs: 39. Emin DURAKOVIC (concussion).

Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 34. Arion SULEMANI (ACL) 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES (national team duty), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (national team duty).

Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 14. Alex RUFER, 15. Nikko BOXALL, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk).

Ins: 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (returning from injury), 17. Callan ELLIOT (returning from suspension).

Outs: 35. Noah KARUNARATNE (demoted).

Unavailable: 23. Clayton LEWIS (injured).

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Manabu SAITO 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 22. Philip CANCAR, 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA. 39. Thomas AQUILINA

Ins: Nil

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 10. Reno PISCOPO (injury), Archie GOODWIN (international duty)

Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1.Daniel MARGUSH, 2.Gabriel CLEUR, 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Morgan SCHNEIDERLIN, 5.Tomi MRCELA, 6.Marcelo (C), 8.Oliver BOZANIC, 9.Kusini YENGI, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Amor LAYOUNI, 14.Nicolas MILANOVIC, 16.Tom BEADLING, 17.Romain AMALFITANO, 19.Daniel WILMERING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS, 21.Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 23. Yeni NGBAKOTO, 26.Brandon BORRELLO, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 33.Alex BONETIG

Ins: 3.Adama TRAORE (returns from suspension), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO (returns from suspension).

Outs: 32.Nathaneal Blair (not selected), 35.Zac SAPSFORD (not selected)

Unavailable: 30.Jack WARSHAWSKY (national team duty), 31.Aidan SIMMONS (national team duty), 36.Alessandro LOPANE (national team duty), 37.Alex BADOLATO (national team duty).

Central Coast Mariners squad: 4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7 Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20 Danny VUKOVIC ©, 22. Cameron WINDUST, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 36. Maksim KASALOVIC, 41. Nicholas DUARTE 98. Marco TULIO

Ins: 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 41. Nicholas DUARTE

Outs: 3. Brian KALTAK (suspension), 10. Moresche (suspension)

Unavailable: 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS (international duty), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)

Western United v Perth Glory

Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Tongo DOUMBIA, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk) 38. Noah BOTIC, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC 

Ins: 10. Steven LUSTICA (returns from injury), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (returns from injury), 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC (returns from injury) 

Outs: Nil 

Unavailable: 20. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured), 24. Connor O’TOOLE (injured) 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (international duty)

Perth Glory squad: 2.John KOUTROUMBIS, 3.Jacob DOWSE, 4.Luke BODNAR, 5.Mark BEEVERS, 6.Aaron MCENEFF, 8.Mustafa AMINI (c), 10.Salim KHELIFI, 13.Cameron COOK (gk),14.Jack CLISBY, 15.Jordan ELSEY, 16.Keegan JELACIC, 18.David WILLIAMS, 19.Zach DUNCAN, 20.Giordano COLLI, 21.Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 22.Adam TAGGART, 30.Pierce CLARK (gk), 37.Jacob MUIR, 43.Adam ZIMARINO

Ins: 3.Jacob DOWSE, 19.Zach DUNCAN, 37.Jacob MUIR

Outs: 7.Ryan WILLIAMS, 29.Darryl LACHMAN

Unavailable: 1.Brad JONES (gk) (injured), 7.Ryan WILLIAMS (suspended), 24.Adrian SARDINERO (injured), 29.Darryl LACHMAN (injured)

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory

Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 3. Joel KING, 4. Alex WILKINSON ©, 6. Jack RODWELL, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Robert MAK, 12. Pat WOOD, 17. Anthony CACERES, 18. Diego CABALLO, 21. Alex PARSONS, 22. Max BURGESS, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 29. Aaron GURD, 30. Adam PAVLESIC, 31. Oscar PRIESTMAN, 32. Matthew SCARCELLA. (2-4 to be omitted)

Ins: 2. James DONACHIE (return from suspension), 30. Adam PAVLESIC (promoted), 31. Oscar PRIESTMAN (promoted).

Outs: 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK)

Unavailable: 9. Adam LE FONDRE (injured), 19. Adrian SEGECIC (international duty), 28. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH (international duty)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON, 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Josh BRILLANTE, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAMPMAN, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 18.Bruce KAMAU, 19.Fernando ROMERO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 28.Will WILSON, 29.Eli ADAMS

Ins: 1.Matt ACTON (promoted), 4.Rai MARCHAN (returns from injury), 28.Will WILSON (promoted), 29.Eli ADAMS (promoted)

Outs: 22.Jake BRIMMER (injured), 30.Ahmad TALEB (omitted)

Unavailable: 17.Luis NANI (injured), 31.Matt BOZINOVSKI (injured)

Macarthur FC v Brisbane Roar

Macarthur FC squad: Filip KURTO, Ivan VUJICA, Tomislav USKOK, Jake McGING, Jonathan ASPRPOTAMITIS, Matt MILLAR, Jake HOLLMAN, Kearyn BACCUS, Charles M’MOMBWA, Bachana ARABULI,  Al Hassan TOURE, Daniel DE SILVA, Daniel ARZANI, Jerry SKOTADIS, Ali AUGLAH, Moudi NAJJAR, Oliver JONES, Jason ROMERO

Ins: Jason ROMERO (new signing)

Outs: Jed DREW (international duty), Craig NOONE (suspended)

Unavailable: Lachlan ROSE (foot injury),  Ulises DAVILA (knee injury)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Macklin FREKE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5.Thomas ALDRED ©, 7.Rahmat AKBARI, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Jez LOFTHOUSE, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Henry HORE, 15.Noah SMITH, 16.Joshua BRINDELL-SOUTH, 17.Carlo ARMIENTO, 19 Jack HINGERT, 21.Marcel CANADI, 22.Stefan SCEPOVIC, 23.Jordan HOLMES (gk), 27.Kai TREWIN, 35.Louis ZABALA, 99. Ayom MAJOK

Ins: 2.Scott NEVILLE, 22.Stefan SCEPOVIC

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Jay O’SHEA (Broken Toe), Robbie KRUSE (Injured), Joe KNOWLES (Injured)

LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: ROUND 16

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Georgina WORTH, 2. Emily ROACH, 4. Josie ALLAN 5. Leia PUXTY 6. Cass DAVIS 7. Chloe WALANDOUW 9. Tara ANDREWS, 11. Tessa TAMPLIN, 12. Murphy AGNEW, 13. Lauren ALLAN, 14. Lucy JOHNSON, 19. Ash BRODIGAN, 20. Claire COELHO, 22. Cannon CLOUGH, 23. Teigen ALLEN, 24. Josie MORLEY, 25. Lara GOOCH, 27. Renee POUNTNEY.

Ins: Nil

Outs: Emily GARNIER (suspended), Taren KING (suspended) 

Unavailable: 3. Emily GARNIER (suspended), 18. Taren KING (suspended)

Melbourne City squad: 1. Sally JAMES (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Julia GROSSO, 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 14. Katie BOWEN, 15. Emma CHECKER (C),  17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Maria ROJAS, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 25. Darcey MALONE, 30. Charlotte HREHORESIN (GK).

Ins: 9. Holly McNAMARA (returns from injury), 19. Maria ROJAS (returns from international duty).

Outs: 40. Kiera MEYERS (replacement contract ended), 24. Daniela GALIC (international duty)

Unavailable: 3. Naomi CHINNAMA (hamstring), 5. Tori TUMETH (ACL), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (foot), 23. Melissa BARBIERI (calf)

Canberra United v Adelaide United

Canberra United squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS 3. Grace TARANTO 4. Holly MURRAY 5. Emma ILIJOSKI, 6. Laura HUGHES, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Chengshu WU 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Grace JALE, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG 14. Chloe MIDDELTON 17. Vesna MILIVOJEVIC 19. Nickoletta FLANNERY,22. Keely SEGAVCIC 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 24. Ellen GETT 16. Kennedy FAULKNOR

One to be omitted

Ins: Nil

Outs: Nil  

Unavailable: 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON (injury), 15. Madison McCOMASKY (injury), 8: Sasha GROVE (international duty), 18. Chloe LINCOLN (international duty)

Adelaide United squad: 1.Annalee GROVE (gk), 2.Emily HODGSON, 6.Jenna McCORMICK, 7.MelindaJ BARBIERI, 9.Paige HAYWARD, 8.Emily CONDON, 11.Isabel HODGSON (c), 12.Nanako SASAKI, 14.Meisha WESTLAND, 15.Katie BOWLER, 16.Dylan HOLMES, 17.Zoe TOLLAND, 19.Maruschka WALDUS, 20.Jenna FARROW (gk), 23.Fiona WORTS, 24.Abby MIDDLETON

Ins: 8.Emily CONDON, 20.Jenna FARROW (promoted), 24.Abby MIDDLETON (promoted)

Outs: 10.Chelsie DAWBER (end of loan), 18.Sasha COOREY (knee), 22.Emilia MURRAY (international duty), 26.Grace WILSON (international duty)

Unavailable: 13.Ella TONKIN (foot)

Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar

Wellington Phoenix squad: 2. Saskia VOSPER, 3. Kate TAYLOR, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 7. Chloe KNOTT, 8. Grace WISNEWSKI, 9. Ava PRITCHARD, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Betsy HASSETT, 12. Brianna EDWARDS (gk), 13. Paige SATCHELL, 14. Michaela ROBERTSON, 15. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 16. Emma ROLSTON, 18. Te Reremoana WALKER, 19. Charlotte LANCASTER, 20. Milly CLEGG, 21. Michaela FOSTER, 50. Corina BROWN (gk).

Ins: 50. Corina BROWN (gk) (promoted).

Outs: 17. Claudia CICCO (international duty), 22. Georgia CANDY (gk) (injured).

Unavailable: 1. Lily ALFELD (gk) (injured), 6. Isabel GOMEZ (injured), 17. Claudia CICCO (international duty), 22. Georgia CANDY (gk) (injured).

Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Isabella SHUTTLEWORTH (GK), 2.Annabel HAFFENDEN, 3.Jessie RASSCHAERT, 5.Jamilla RANKIN, 6.Holly MCQUEEN, 7.Ayesha NORRIE©, 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Sharn FREIER, 12.Shea CONNORS, 13.Tamar LEVIN, 16.Zara KRUGER, 17.Talitha KRAMER, 19.Hollie PALMER, 20.Georgia BEAUMONT, 23.Kajsa LIND, 27.Indiah-Paige RILEY, 51.Hensley HANCUFF (GK),78.Margot ROBBINE

Ins: 31. Aleeah DAVERN

Outs: 9.Larissa CRUMMER

Unavailable: 8. Mariel HECHER, 21.Mia BAILEY (GK)

Sydney FC v Western United

Sydney FC squad: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Anna GREEN, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 6. Sarah HUNTER, 7. Teigan COLLISTER, 8. Rachel LOWE, 9. Madison HALEY, 11. Cortnee VINE, 12. Natalie TOBIN (c), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 19. Charlize RULE, 20. Princess IBINI, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Shay EVANS, 25. Rola BADAWIYA, 30. Katie OFFER (GK).

(2-4 to be omitted)

Ins: 9. Madison HALEY (return from injury), 14. Abbey LEMON (promoted), 16. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE (return from international duty), 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS (promoted), 24. Shay EVANS (promoted).

Outs: 21. Shay HOLLMAN (international duty)

Unavailable: 18. Taylor RAY (injured), 17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS (international duty), 23. Anika STAJCIC (international duty).

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 3. Silver Bell MORRIS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 11. Emma ROBERS, 13. Danielle STEER, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 23. Angie BEARD, 24. Julia SARDO, 25. Tiana JABER 

Ins: 3. Silver Bell MORRIS, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 25. Tiana JABER (new signing) 

Outs: 10. Kahli JOHNSON (international duty) 

Unavailable: 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS (injured), 5. Aimee MEDWIN (injured), 12. Harriet Withers (injured)

Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers

Perth Glory squad: 1.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Demi KOULIZAKIS, 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 13.Sarah CAIN, 14.Hannah BLAKE, 15.Cyera HINTZEN, 16.Isabella WALLHEAD, 17.Abbey GREEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 19.Izzy FOLETTA, 20.Sarah LANGMAN (gk), 21.Ella MASTRANTONIO, 23.Alana JANCEVSKI

Ins: 16.Isabella WALLHEAD

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 6.Tijan MCKENNA (international duty), 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (injured), 11.Rylee BAISDEN (injured), 24.Milan HAMMOND (injured)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1.Jordyn BLOOMER (GK), 4.Angelique HRISTODOULOU, 5.Lauren KEIR, 6.Amy CHESSARI, 7.Amy HARRISON, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Sophie HARDING, 10.Sienna SAVESKA, 11.Danika MATOS, 13.Jitka CHLASTAKOVA, 14.Clare HUNT (C), 15.Cushla RUE, 16.Malia STEINMETZ, 17.Sheridan GALLAGHER, 18.Bethany GORDON, 19.Sarina BOLDEN, 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (GK), 21.Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 23.Ella ABDUL MASSIH, 25.Holly CASPERS, 26.Aimee HALL (GK)

Ins:  Nil

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil