The women’s A-League competition kicks off this weekend and is expected to be their biggest yet, following major success from the Matildas during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Although star players like Sam Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold and Mary Fowler are currently playing in the women’s English Premier League, there are a number of Matildas who will play in Australia’s national soccer competition.
Here’s who to look out for and how you can watch them in Round 1 of the A-League.
Tameka Yallop
After a stint in Europe playing in Norway and England, Matildas’ midfielder Tameka Yallop is returning to play for the Brisbane Roar this A-League season.
Yallop hasn’t played a season of A-League since 2018 and said she is excited to be home.
“Having a World Cup at home just brings the nostalgia back to returning to Brisbane Roar as well, where I did a fair chunk of my youth football. The timing couldn’t be better,” she said in a statement last month.
“Not only how far we went in the tournament, but it’s great knowing there’s going to be more opportunities for younger players coming through, better training facilities, more coaches available to them, and the fact that it’s going to keep growing and going up from here is exciting.”
Yallop’s team, the Brisbane Roar, go up against Melbourne Victory on Sunday October 15 at 4pm AEST. The match is held at Home of the Matildas stadium in Victoria and can be streamed via 10 Play or Paramount+.
Emily Gielnik
Emily Gielnik, forward and striker in the Matildas squad, will face off against Yallop and the Brisbane Roar, as she dons the Melbourne Victory gear this season.
Gielnik missed out on playing the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil earlier this year, due to an ankle injury. However, she has played for the national side 54 times.
The gun forward has also had her time in Europe, including a stint at Liverpool FC, but she said is looking forward to returning to Melbourne.
“I had a great experience during my first stint at the club … and I’m looking forward to achieving more success this season,” she said.
Lydia Williams
Joining Gielnik at Melbourne Victory is goalkeeper and Matildas veteran, Lydia Williams. She has played for the national side more than 100 times and made 120 appearances in the A-League.
Returning to Melbourne after her own stints in Europe is exciting for Williams, especially following the successful World Cup campaign.
“After such an exciting period for our sport, to be returning to the competition where I started my career and had so many great memories is an honour for me but I also want to continue making great memories with the team and the Club,” she said.
Kyah Simon
Kyah Simon is making her return to the Central Coast Mariners, her first ever A-League club.
She made her debut for the Mariners in 2008, and made her mark in the game, scoring five goals in nine matches.
In the following season, Simon moved to Sydney FC, then to Melbourne City. Meanwhile, the Central Coast Mariners folded after just two seasons in the women’s competition.
This season will be the first for the Mariners since, and Simon is looking forward to being a part of it.
“Mariners being my first A-League club in the inaugural season, they’ve always held a special place in my heart and it’s a real full circle moment for me,” she said.
“The closer I came to this decision, the more it felt right.”
The Central Coast Mariners will host the Newcastle Jets at Industree Group Stadium this Saturday October 14 at 5pm AEST. The match can be streamed on Paramount + or 10 Play.
Cortnee Vine
She was one of Australia’s most well-known faces, following the iconic penalty shoot-out against France in the World Cup quarter final.
Now, Cortnee Vine will don the Sydney FC jersey for this A-League season, chasing her fourth consecutive premiership with the Sky Blues.
“I’m excited and thrilled to be staying with Sydney FC and playing in the Liberty A-League for this season,” she said.
“I can feel the Women’s World Cup has ignited a real passion for the women’s game in this country and given it real momentum.
“We are heading into an exciting new era for Australian football and I’m incredibly happy to be a part of it.”
In the 44 games she has played for Sydney FC, Vine has scored 20 goals and has been named the Professional Footballers Australia Team of the Year captain in the last two seasons.
The Sky Blues will face rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in the Sydney derby this Saturday October 14 at Allianz Stadium, 7:45pm AEST. The match can also be streamed on Paramount+ and will be broadcast on 10 Bold.