Melbourne Victory announce squad

Melbourne Victory W-League Head Coach Vicki Linton this afternoon announced her 20 player squad for the 2011/12 Westfield W-League season.Entering her second season as Victory coach, Linton has kept on her a core of 12 player who last season took the Victory into their first finals appearance. Looking to improve the squad, several new players have been recruited with a mixture of the new and the experienced.

Internationals Kendall Fletch from the USA and Brit Jodie Taylor return while defender Danielle Johnson from WPS side Sky Blue FC arrives for her first taste of the W-League.

“I’m really excited for the upcoming Westfield W-League season, the three international players have now arrived and the intensity in training is great,” said Linton.

“We have the core of last year’s team, there’s a really good feel about the group and they’re looking forward to the first match.

Several young players have also been included including Young Matildas Rebekah Stott who joins from Champions Brisbane Roar and former Adelaide United midfielder Katrina Gorry from Adelaide United. Meanwhile Georgie Koutrouvelis and Jackie Vogt will be looking to emulate Ashley Brown, Stephanie Catley and Caitlin Friend as they step up from the National Training Centre.

In a nod to local talent, three players from the Victorian Women's Premier League, Gold Medal and Golden Boot Winner Laura Spiranovic (South Melbourne Women), prolific goal scorer Stephanie Tanti (Sandringham SC) and the versatile Cassandra Dimovski (Box Hill United), get their chance to shine on the national stage.

With less than two weeks to go until their season opener against Perth Glory, Linton believes preparations are on track.

“Last season we had our first top four finish and we’re aiming to solidify that and play finals again.”