With the highly anticipated 2022 Liberty A-League Women’s season set to kick-off this weekend, keep your eyes out for the strong contingent of Victorians preparing to do battle on the national stage. In Part One, we’ll look at both the established stars and emerging talents who will represent interstate teams.
Every player who makes it to the elite level has a unique and individual story, but one thing they all share is that it started at the grassroots. If you're ready to start your football journey, head to www.playfootball.com.au.
ADELAIDE UNITED
MelinaJ Barbieri, Meisha Westland.
A NPLW Victoria Gold Medalist and NTC product, Barbieri has had a stellar career to date, starring at the Under-20 international level and appearing 66 times for Melbourne Victory across seven years.
“I’m really eager about this new opportunity with Adelaide United”, she announced when signing.
“Over the last four or five years they’ve really transformed into an extremely competitive team and play an attacking, attractive brand of football.”
At 22 years-old, the versatile attacking midfielder heads to Adelaide after a solid 2022 with Box Hill United, where she appeared 17 times and scored one goal.
Fellow Victorian Meisha Westland joins after playing 12 matches for Melbourne City last year. Unlike Barbieri, Westland has considerable experience playing interstate. The defensive midfielder made her name in Queensland with Lions FC and more recently played for NPLNSW’s Manly United FC in the A-League’s offseason.
Only 21 years of age and full of potential, Westland will provide class and toughness to the Reds’ midfield.
BRISBANE ROAR
Margot Robinne
Robinne’s record speaks for itself – she scored 138 goals in 210 appearances while playing in France for Toulouse FC, FC Rouen and Montigny le Bretonneux.
After moving to Melbourne in 2017 she started her career down-under with FC Bulleen Lions before earning stints with Melbourne City and Canberra United
Most recently, the French-born veteran enjoyed a stellar 2022 with VPLW runners up Boroondara Eagles, bagging 15 goals in 11 games. The 31-year-old is known as an intelligent striker with an excellent technical skillset and will add a cutting edge to the Roar’s front line.
CANBERRA UNITED
Holly Murray, Grace Taranto
After finishing seventh in last year’s A-League Women season, Canberra United have added Victorian defensive duo Holly Murray and Grace Taranto for the upcoming campaign.
At only 18-years-of-age, Murray has been touted as a future star after impressing at FV Emerging and South Melbourne FC in recent years.
Canberra United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich stated he was thrilled to welcome Murray to the club.
“She is an excellent defender who reads the game well, is strong in the challenge and has a good turn of pace, all the hallmarks required of being a top-class defender in the Liberty A-League,” he said.
Fellow Victorian Grace Taranto joins from Adelaide United, where she made two appearances last season. The youngster boasts an extensive resume in the Victorian football system which includes playing for FV Emerging, FC Bulleen and South Melbourne FC.
Kiwi Rebecca Burrows, who starred for Heidelberg United in the 2022 NPLW Victoria season, winning the Player’s Player of the Year in 2022 has also joined Canberra United ahead of the season.
PERTH GLORY
Sarah Cain, Sofia Sakalis, Alana Jancevski, Claudia Mihocic
A host of talented young Victorians headed west last year, finding a happy home at Perth Glory FC.
Sarah Cain and Sofia Sakalis head into the new season after sharing the NPLW Victoria Gold Medal in 2022, the league’s highest individual honour. The pair split the award after starring for their respective sides, FV Emerging and Box Hill United.
A tenacious midfielder, Cain has showed consistent improvement in recent seasons, making 14 appearances for the Glory last term after joining from Melbourne City.
20-year-old Sakalis will also line up for her second season in Perth after making 13 appearances last season. A prodigious talent, the attacking midfielder has represented Australia at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels.
Alana Jancevski is another remarkable talent who returned home during the off-season, scoring 9 goals in 18 games on FC Bulleen’s road to the NPLW Victoria Grand Final.
A young Matilda who has built a reputation for scoring worldies, Jancevski progressed through FV’s NTC Program before becoming a train on player with Melbourne Victory. Now 19 years old, she played seven times for the Glory last season, scoring twice.
Claudia Mihocic played twice for Perth last year in her debut season for the Club but will undoubtedly be one to watch in 2022/2023. At only 19 the gifted young centre back is strong in the challenge yet comfortable with the ball at her feet, a trait coaches love to see in young defenders.
Touted as one of the best young defenders in the country, Mihocic is a young Matilda with plenty of leadership experience, having formerly captained FV Emerging. Most recently, she represented South Melbourne in the 2022 NPLW Victoria, playing 13 games.