A starting line-up worth of former Ashburton United players will be plying their trade with Alamein FC in 2016, with 11 players to continue on with coach Sinisa Cohadzic.
Versatile defender Holly Richardson, fullback Maria Patrikis, midfielder Jesse Kotsikas as well as former captain Christine Pfeiffer all followed their former boss to Alamein, as did former Bulleen Lions trio Alyssa Blewonski, Olivia Edwards and Fede Frew, the latter of whom returns from America.
Forward’s Britt Thomas and Amy Malander will provide options in the final third, as will Melina Ayres who recently returned a Championship winning W-League season with Melbourne City.
Likewise, goalkeeper Melissa Maizels returns from her national league stint with Canberra United, while teammate Emma Checker remains an unfortunate casualty, succumbing to an ACL injury on W-League duties.
After a turbulent spell at Melbourne Victory, one of the stars of the 2015 WPL season Georgia Cloepfil returns home to the states, while Laura Spiranovic makes the move to NPLW side Galaxy United.
Fellow Victory W-League member Briar Palmer won’t be a part of the squad, as will Kristen Stensholt, who is still with the squad but not in a playing capacity.
I am delighted to have the core group of players from Ashburton United stay with me and I am very excited with the new additions and the quality they have brought to us,” coach Sinisa Cohadzic said.
“The only downfall is obviously the season ending injury to Emma Checker but she will be still involved with this group of players in other capacity like Kristen Stensholt – who is our Team Manager.
“There was no need to make big changes, except replacing the players we lost for different reasons and who I want to thank for the wonderful season and effort they have given to me and the club.
The re-signings follow Sandringham SC tro Emma Runnalls, Sienna Fogarty and Annabelle Gibney, as well as former Casey Comets defender Harriet Cordner at the club.
Feature Image: Adrian Shaw