Brisbane Roar is pleased to announce the Westfield W-League squad that will look to defend their title in the upcoming 2011/12 season.
Brisbane Roar is pleased to announce the Westfield W-League squad that will look to defend their title in the upcoming 2011/12 season.
The core of Head Coach Jeff Hopkins- 2010/11 championship-winning playing group has been retained meaning five Westfield Matildas from the 2011 FIFA World Cup squad will take to the field for the club this season, while Clare Polkinghorne will once again captain-s armband.
Foundation players Polkinghorne, Casey Dumont, Karla Reuter, Kim Carroll, Brooke Spence, Elise Kellond-Knight, Lana Harch, Tameka Butt and Ellen Beaumont will again make their mark in orange this season while midfielder Lauren Colthorpe will miss the entire campaign after she underwent a knee reconstruction earlier in the year.
The loss of the prolific Lisa De Vanna, who opted to join the Newcastle Jets in the off-season, has been counteracted by the signing of key striker Catherine Canulli from Sydney FC.
Midfield workhorses Aivi Luik and Joanne Burgess will again form a key part of the Roar make-up while striker Emily Gielnik will he hoping to continue impressive goal-scoring form the Westfield Young Matildas at domestic level.
Vedrana Popovic has re-joined the Roar ranks – the 19-year-old was an inaugural member of the Roar squad back in the 2008/09 and has now returned to Brisbane a more accomplished defender following a season each with Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United while versatile midfielder Sasha McDonnell is back in Brisbane after a year with the Jets.
Defender Laura Alleway and new signing Ashley Spina round out the squad with the second goalkeeper spot filled by Japanese shot-stopper Hoshimi Kishi.
Brisbane Roar begin their title defence on Saturday, 22 October in a Grand Final re-match against Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney. The match will be live on ABC1 from 3pm AEDT (2pm AEST).
Brisbane Roar Westfield W-League 2011/12 squad: 1. Casey DUMONT, 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Karla REUTER, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Catherine CANNULI, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Aivi LUIK, 12. Ashley SPINA, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Vedrana POPOVIC, 15. Sasha McDONNELL, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Ellen BEAUMONT, 20. Hoshimi KISHI
