McDonald Jones Stadium will a host a Westfield W-League blockbuster this Saturday as the Perth Glory travel to the Hunter in the match of the round.
It’s first verse second as two of the league’s leading teams look to break away from a congested W-League ladder and cement their position in the top four.
Both sides have four wins so far this season and are amidst the competition’s most attacking outfits.
For the Glory, Rachel Hill (7) and Sam Kerr (5) are amongst the leagues leading goal scorers, while Katie Stengel and Arin Gilliland have four goals apiece.
Head Coach, Craig Deans said the Glory would present his side a considerable challenge, with a number of experienced players.
“For us it’s about building on last week’s performance,” said Deans.
“I think we executed our game plan really well in the first half, but there’s a lot of improvement in us yet.
“Teams like the Roar, City and Perth are the teams you want to test yourself against, they have a heap of experienced, international players in their squads.
“We’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves after last week, but it’s been a good first half of the season and we’ve picked up points regularly – now the challenge is to do that for the next six matches.”
Deans confirmed that he would continue with Emily van Egmond in an attacking midfield role after last week’s win over Brisbane.
“I think that worked really well for us to push Em forward last week,” added Deans.
“She’s calm on the ball, can obviously pass the ball well, can strike a ball and has some great creativity
“She combined well with Arin on the wing for a couple of our goals and was well supported by Clare (Wheeler) and Tori (Huster) who have taken on more of the defensive work through the middle.”
Friday 22 December, 2017
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-Off: 8.15pm (local) (8.15pm (AEDT)
Referee: Maddison Kennedy
Tickets: http://bit.ly/MJdouble
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WLeague #NEWvPER
Newcastle Jets: 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Natasha PRIOR, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 8.Sophie NENADOVIC, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Cortnee VINE, 14.Tara PENDER, 16.Nikola ORGILL, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18. Clare WHEELER, 20.Claire COEHLO (gk), 21.Pana PETRATOS, 23.Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 19.Ash BRODIGAN (promoted)
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 7.Gema SIMON (knee, 1 – 2 weeks), 12.Tara ANDREWS (hip – 1 week)
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY, 5.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS, 6.Danielle BROGAN, 7.Nicole STANTON, 8.Shawn BILLAM, 9.Rachel HILL, 10.Raquel RODRIGUEZ, 11. Nicola BOLGER, 13.Jaymee GIBBONS, 16.Amanda FRISBIE, 17.Marianna TABAIN, 18.Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 20.Samantha KERR (c), 30.Morgan AQUINO (GK)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Jaymee GIBBONS (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Gabby DAL BUSCO (gk) (arm – 2 to 4 weeks), 12.Shannon MAY (hamstring – 2 weeks)
