Linton names her squad for Season Three | (Credit: Getty Images) Linton names her squad for Season Three | (Credit: Getty Images)

With just a little over a week to go until Season Three kicks off of the Westfield W-League, the Melbourne Victory Womens squad has been announced.

The Victory Women comprises of several local talent as well as some exciting national and international footballers. Melbourne Victory CEO, Geoff Miles, is excited about the season commencing.

"We are looking forward to an exciting third season for Melbourne Victory’s Westfield W-League team. We have brought in a number of new and exciting players, and combined with a wealth of local talent, we are looking forward to a successful season ahead,” Miles said.

Westfield Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri looks set to lead the team with several experienced campaigners including Louisa Bisby, Marlies Oostdam and Maika Ruyter-Hooley by her side. The young talent contingent seeing Under 17 Young Matildas’ Stephanie Catley, Caitlin Friend, Ashley Brown and Brianna Davey pull on the navy jumper.

“Victoria has some very talented female footballers coming through the talented player pathway," said newly appointed Head Coach Vicki Linton.

"I’m looking forward to watching them develop as the season goes on, and I am confident they will be able to step up to the challenge of competing in national league football,”

While keeping a core group of players from last season, the club has also injected some national and international flavour with the effervescent American Sky Blue midfielder Kendall Fletcher, English import Jodie Taylor, former Canberra United player Snez Valjanovska and former Young Matilda Amy Jackson all set for Season Three.

Melbourne finished just outside the Top 4 with an agonising last round loss to Perth Glory torpedoing their finals chances.

“We identified a number of areas where we were lacking in the squad from last season, and I’m pleased that we have been able to bring together a squad that we believe has a strong chance of making the finals this season,” Linton said.

2010/2011 Westfield W-League Melbourne Victory squad

1. Melissa BARBIERI, 2. Rita MANKOWSKA, 3. Marlies OOSTDAM, 5. Louisa BISBY, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Jodie TAYLOR, 11. Kendall FLETCHER, 12. Amy JACKSON, 13. Ashley BROWN, 15. Deanna NICESKI, 16. Gulcan KOCA, 17. Caitlin FRIEND, 18. Ursula HUGHSON, 19. Enza BARILLA, 20. Brianna DAVEY