Round 17 Insights: Roar Boosted by Star’s Return from Injury as Six Matildas Make Comeback

The teams are ready as they prepare for Round 17 of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.

Brisbane Roar will welcome back their talented midfielder Momo Hayashi, who has recovered from an ankle injury that sidelined her since Round 12. Hayashi joins the squad alongside Laini Freier, the recently-capped CommBank Matildas forward, who is poised to return to club football after participating in her inaugural senior international camp at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States.

Wellington Phoenix will host Adelaide United this weekend at Porirua Park, but will be missing forward Grace Jale due to injury. She will be replaced by Alyssa Whinham, who was rested during Round 16’s trip to Perth as a precautionary measure.

Melbourne City are aiming for a remarkable legacy as they head to McKellar Park to face Canberra United. With a 17-match unbeaten run, clinching an 18th consecutive game without a loss would match the Ninja A-League’s record for the longest unbeaten streak. Coach Michael Matricciani has brought Kathryn Harvey and Young Matilda Emilia Murray into his extended squad.

Stay updated with all the latest team news below.

Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers

Friday, February 28 – Industree Group Stadium – Kick-off 4:50pm AEDT

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Central Coast Mariners squad: 1 Sarah LANGMAN, 2. Jessica SEAMAN, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN, 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 7. Jade PENNOCK, 10. Taylor RAY, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN, 12. Tiana FULLER, 13. Sarah ROWE, 14. Greta KRASZULA, 16. Tess QUILLIGAN, 20. Chloe CARMICHAEL, 21. Brooke NUNN, 22. Peta TRIMIS, 23. Lily MCMAHON, 24. Shay EVANS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 25. Blake HUGHES

Outs: 19. Leia PUXTY

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 3. Gemma FERRIS, 5. Milly BENNETT, 6. Amy CHESSARI, 7. Amy HARRISON (C), 8. Olivia PRICE, 9. Sophie HARDING, 10. Sienna SAVESKA, 11. Danika MATOS, 12. Bronte TREW, 13. Talia KAPETANELLIS, 14. Ella BUCHANAN, 15. Cushla RUE, 17. Milly CASSAR, 19. Talia YOUNIS, 20. Sham KHAMIS, 23. Maya LOBO, 31. Keely SEGAVCIC, 37. Ena HARADA

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 13. Talia KAPETANELLIS, 17. Milly CASSAR

Outs: Nil

Canberra United v Melbourne City

Saturday, March 1 – McKellar Park – Kick-off 4pm AEDT

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Canberra United squad: 1. Sally JAMES, 2. Alex MCKENZIE, 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 4. 5. Madison AYSON, Holly MURRAY, 7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 9. Ruby NATHAN, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, 17. Maja MARKOVSKI, 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC, 21. Aideen KEANE, 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 25. Darcey MALONE, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 2. Alex MCKENZIE, 9. Ruby NATHAN

Outs: Nil

Melbourne City squad: 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 11. Emilia MURRAY (both promoted)

Outs: Nil

WINNERS! Young Matildas triumph in four-nations tournament as Ninja A-League star claims Golden Boot

Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Saturday, March 1 – No.2 Sportsground – Kick-off 4:30pm AEDT

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Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Danielle KRZYZANIAK, 2. Josie WILSON, 3. Claudia CICCO, 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 7. India BREIER, 8. Emma DUNDAS, Libby COPUS-BROWN, 13. Lauren ALLAN, 17. Sheridan GALLAGHER, 18. Sophie HOBAN, 22. Lorena BAUMANN, 24. Milan HAMMOND, 25. Lara GOOCH, 26. Josie ALLAN, 27. Chloe WALANDOUW, 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON, 32. Claire ADAMS, 39. Alexis COLLINS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 24. Milan HAMMOND, 27. Chloe WALANDOUW, 39. Alexis COLLINS

Outs: 4. Natasha PRIOR

Unavailable: 4. Natasha PRIOR, 9. Bel ROLLEY, 11. Deven JACKSON, 23. Gia VICARI, 51. Ally BOERTJE

Perth Glory squad: 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 7.Megan WYNNE, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 13.Naomi CHINNAMA, 14.Miku SUNAGA, 17.Morgan ROBERTS, 18.Izzy FOLETTA, 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE, 21.Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 22.Ischia BROOKING, 23.Izzy DALTON (co-c), 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG (co-c), 30.Jessica SKINNER (gk), 44.Kelli BROWN

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 18.Izzy FOLETTA, 22.Ischia BROOKING, 25.Ella LINCOLN

Outs: 12.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH

Unavailable: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 8.Georgia CASSIDY (injured), 9.Gabby HOLLAR (injured), 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (injured), 16.Bella WALLHEAD (injured), 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH (injured)

Western United v Melbourne Victory

Saturday, March 1 – Ironbark Fields – Kick-off 6pm AEDT

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Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO (c), 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (returns from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Melbourne Victory squad: 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 22. Ava BRIEDIS

Outs: 2. Ellie WILSON

TILLIES TALK: How advice from a Matildas veteran prepared the Victory’s rising star for a ‘special’ international debut

Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United

Sunday, March 2 – Porirua Park – Kick-off 2pm AEDT

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Wellington Phoenix squad: 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 8. Amelia ABBOTT, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 14. Mebae TANAKA, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 17. Ela JEREZ, 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk)

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (returning from injury)

Outs: 7. Grace JALE (injured)

Unavailable: 7. Grace JALE (injured), 18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk) (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured)

Adelaide United squad: 1.Annalee GROVE, 2.Emily HODGSON, 3.Meleri MULLAN, 4.Matilda MCNAMARA, 5.Sarah MORGAN, 6.Tiarna KARAMBASIS, 8.Emily CONDON, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 12.Nanako SASAKI, 13.Ella TONKIN, 14.Lucía LEÓN, 16.Dylan HOLMES, 17.Zoe TOLLAND, 18.Lara KIRKBY, 21.Claudia JENKINS, 22.Erin HEALY, 23.Fiona WORTS, 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 3.Meleri MULLAN, 12.Nanako SASAKI

Outs: 20.Miley GRIGG, 27.Sian DEWEY

Unavailable: 27.Sian DEWEY (Load Management)

LATEST NEWS: A-Leagues to commence 2025 Pride Celebration

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar

Sunday, March 2 – Leichhardt Oval – Kick-off 5pm AEDT

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Sydney FC squad: 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Faye BRYSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 7. Millie FARROW, 9. Shea CONNORS, 12. Natalie TOBIN, 13. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER, 20. Princess IBINI, 21. Lucy JOHNSON, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER, 26. Maddie CASPERS, 28. Beth MASON-JONES (GK)

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 2. Margaux CHAUVET (returned from injury), 7. Millie FARROW (returned from injury), 9. Shea CONNORS (promoted)

Outs: 23. Rubi SULLIVAN (not selected)

Unavailable: 5. Kirsty FENTON (knee), 8. Hana LOWRY (knee), 17. Kyah SIMON (calf)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS, 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 8. Mariel HECHER, 9. Danelle TAN, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 12. Tamar Levin, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Isabella HOYOS, 32. Alicia WOODS, 33. Olivia SEKANY

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 7. Momo HAYASHI, 19. Laini FREIER

Outs: 16. Chelsea BLISSETT (leg injury), 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA (hamstring)

Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 11. Sharn FREIER (ankle), 22. Ruby CUTHBERT (hamstring)

SISTER ACT: Sharn Freier’s heartfelt letter to sister Laini following Matildas debut: ‘You f*****g deserve it’