Westfield W-League preview | round 7

All the games and squads for round 7 of the Westfield W-League.

Sydney FC v Canberra United
Saturday 1 December 2012

Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Local kick-off: 10am

Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Catch the action live streaming online from 10am AEDT at www.abc.net.au/w-league and nationally on ABC1 from 1.30pm

Round 7 in the Westfield W-League will be the inaugural ‘Silver Round- in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, with all players wearing silver shoelaces to show their commitment to helping fund research to find early detection methods for ovarian cancer.

An epic match is in prospect as big guns Sydney FC host champions Canberra United, with both teams boosted by the return of numerous star personnel.

The Sky Blues have a strong home record against United, although last year they were toppled 1-0 at the same Leichhardt Oval venue, in a result which set up the visitors for their remarkable all-conquering campaign.

Sydney returned to form last week with a 4-0 rout of Adelaide and this week are supplemented by a quartet of returning Westfield Matildas that will provide a massive injection of attacking intent; Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy.

Canberra returned from their brief trip to Japan only in midweek and it remains to be seen if their exertions will count against them on this notoriously tough road trip. Shorn of several key performers, the champions sadly lost their lengthy unbeaten record a fortnight ago, and this week welcome a new face in USA youth international Nikki Washington.

A U-20 Women-s World Cup winner with the Stars and Stripes four years ago alongside FIFA Women-s World Player of the Year nominee Alex Morgan, striker Washington comes to Australia with good pedigree. On the debit side Canberra have, unusually, lost several players through injury for what is the match of the round, most notably Ariane Hingst and Ashleigh Sykes.

Sydney FC squad: 1. Sian MCCLAREN, 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 4. Sam KERR, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Annalie LONGO, 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 13. Larissa CRUMMER, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19 Emma KETE, 20. Sham KHAMIS (gk), 22. Lillie FENLON-BILLSON (*one to be omitted)

Ins: 4. Sam KERR, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 17. Kyah SIMON (all return from international duty)
Outs: Amy HARRISON, Hannah BROMLEY, Kylie LEDBROOK (all omitted)
Unavailable: Natalie TOBIN (hip – 2-4 weeks)

Canberra United squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Catherine BROWN, 18. Samantha WOOD, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Trudy BURKE (gk), 21. Nikki WASHINGTON (*three to be omitted)

Ins: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (back from international duty), 7. Ellie Brush (back from suspension), 11. Michelle Heyman (back from international lay-off), 15. Sally Shipard (back from international lay-off), 21. Nikki Washington (Pali Blues – USA)
Outs: 9. Grace Gill, 14. Ashleigh Sykes, 17. Ariane Hingst (all injured)
Unavailable: None

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 1 December 2012

Burton Park, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 2pm

Referee: Kelly Jones

After a bright opening to the season, Adelaide will be desperate to halt their recent string of defeats. This weekend presents another tough ask in the shape of the always-competitive Melbourne Victory.

Coach Dave Edmondson is set to ring the changes for the Lady Reds, and at the same time will welcome back young gun Emma Checker into the defence after the teenager made her Matildas debut last week. This round marks the second half of the regular season and another defeat for Adelaide here, will well and truly cast them adrift from the top four.

Melbourne came perilously close to achieving a club record fourth win on the trot last weekend only to fall at the death against Brisbane Roar in a remarkable match.

Despite that gut-wrenching defeat, the Victory appears to be improving almost every week, and currently are on target to repeat last year-s semi-final appearance.

The Victory welcome back a trio of crucial performers from international duty with goalkeeper Brianna Davey and flanker Steph Catley returning, alongside midfield engine Jessica Fishlock who last weekend played for Wales.

Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 4. Jess WHAREPOURI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 10. Jenna McCORMICK, 13. Ann MAYO, 14. Lorena MAGGIO, 16. Jess WATERHOUSE, 17. Laura JOHNS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Holly PATTERSON, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk) (* one to be omitted)

Ins: 2. Ruth WALLACE, 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 10. Jenna McCORMICK (all promoted), 15. Emma Checker (returns from international duty)
Outs: 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 11. Grace HENRY, 12. Elise WHORLOW (all omitted)
Unavailable: None

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2. Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 6. Petra LARSSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDONALD, 12. Jackie Vogt, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (gk), 22: Jessica FISHLOCK, 23. Jessica HUMBLE (* three to be omitted)

In: 1. Brianna DAVEY, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 22: Jessica FISHLOCK (all return from international duty)
Outs: 30: Melissa MAIZELS (omitted)
Unavailable: Ashley BROWN (knee – season), Louisa BISBY (knee – season)

Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 1 December 2012

Intiga Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 4pm

Referee: Renee Silvester

Though looking good at the top of the table with a match in hand, Perth Glory will feel the need to make the most of their home outing against the Wanderers.

The match will mark the first of three in seven days for the Glory, including hugely challenging away encounters in Canberra and Brisbane. The Glory impressed a fortnight ago with a win over Sydney, but it remains to be seen how they perform after a weekend off.

Coach Jamie Harnwell has a full squad to select from with his star trio of Collette McCallum, Lisa De Vanna and Kate Gill set to feature together for just the second time this campaign.

Despite a somewhat unheralded start to their Westfield W-League life, Western Sydney Wanderers have judiciously gone about their business and victory in the west could, remarkably, lift the league-s newest club to top spot. It might be one of the toughest away trips, but the Wanderers are in form and remain the only team to knock off the Glory to date this season.

The Wanderers too have a full squad to choose from with Teigen Allen and Servet Uzunlar both back from Matildas duty, plus defenders Sam Spackman and Alesha Clifford available again after injury.

Perth Glory squad: 1. Carly TELFORD (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 7. Aivi LUIK, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette McCALLUM (c), 15. Liz MILNE, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Kirri BOLTON, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 20. Zoe PALANDRI (gk) (*five to be omitted)

Ins: 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Kate GILL, 14. Collette McCALLUM (all return from international duty), 16. Thia EASTMAN, 18. Kirri BOLTON, 19. Shawn BILLAM (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None

xWestern Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Liz DURACK (gk), 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3. Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH (c), 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 11. Louise FORS, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy CAMILLERI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O’NEILL, 20. Thora HELGADOTTIR (gk) (* one to be omitted)

Ins: Samantha Spackman, Alesha Clifford (both return from injury), Teigen Allen, Servet Uzunlar (both return from international duty)
Outs: Alisha BASS, Candace SCIBERRAS (both omitted)
Unavailable: Jenna KINGSLEY (knee – season)

Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 2 December 2012

Wanderers Oval, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 2pm

Referee: Katie Patterson

Newcastle Jets face a tough ask when they entertain two-time champions Brisbane Roar, who are boosted by the return of a catalogue of national team stars.

The Jets though are expected to be at full strength for the visit of the Roar at their compact Wanderers Oval in Broadmeadow. The influence of returning Matildas midfielder Emily Van Egmond will likely be crucial if the Jets are to get any change out of the Roar in the centre of the park.

Incredibly, despite missing seven first-team personnel, Brisbane somehow managed to conjure a famous last-gasp win against in-form Melbourne Victory to provide yet more evidence of their strength in depth.

It-s hard to imagine the Roar not claiming three points in Newcastle given the sheer quantity of returning talent, although the free-scoring Tameka Butt is in some doubt after last week-s exertions with the Matildas in China. Like a number of teams the Roar are eyeing the summit should results at the top of a congested ladder go their way.

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD, 4.Gemma PEARCE, 5. Tori HUSTER, 6. Angela SALEM, 7. Gema SIMON, 8. Madeline SEARL, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10. Emily VAN EGMOND, 11. Kate HENSMAN, 12. Tiffany BOSHERS, 13. Bronte Bates 14. Sammara SCHMITZER, 15. Alishia FOOTE, 16. Stacey DAY, 18. Michaela HATZIRODOS, 20. Alannah ROSEWOOD (gk) (* three to be omitted)

Ins: 8. Madeline Searl (returns from injury), 10. Emily van Egmond (returns from international duty)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Hoshimi KISHI (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Ashley SPINA, 7. Erika ELZE, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Emma PITTMAN, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 16. Sachiko TATSUOKA, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kate STEWART (gk), 19. Katrina GORRY, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (*five to be omitted)

Ins: 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Katrina GORRY (all return from international duty), 12. Rebecca PRICE (returns from injury)
Outs: 22. Lauren BROWN, 23. Chelsea HARPER, 24. Hayley SHEAHAN (all off contract)
Unavailable: None