Who are the young Victorians hoping to become the next stars of the Matildas
They’re the rising stars of Victorian football. Meet the talented young girls aiming to become the future international stars of the Matildas.
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Victoria has played a key role in the stunning rise and success of the Matildas.
The likes of Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Teagan Micah are all key members and represent some of the biggest clubs in the world in Arsenal and Liverpool.
Victorian talents continue to come through the ranks, hoping to be the next generation of national heroines.
Naomi Thomas-Chinnama was recently selected in the Young Matildas squad for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Meanwhile, six young Victorians were selected for the Junior Matildas AFC Under-17 Asian Cup campaign.
And there’s more coming through with a further six girls selected in an under-15s camp held at the Home of the Matildas this month.
Kiara Calafiore, Heidi Dalton, Leyla Hussein, Kaya Jugovic, Alexis Pantazopoulos and Keira Sarris are considered among the best 24 players in their age group.
Football Victoria Emerging head coach Santi Escudero said the elite pathway was dedicated to bringing through young talent that would be ready for high-level football.
“We’re working closely with Football Australia, we want the new generation to be ready to compete around the world,” Escudero said.
“We want the girls to be at a high level as soon as possible because we have the talent, they just need experience.
“With the talent and physicality they have, we need to create smart players, the difference between our players and the rest of the world is the decision making.
“We have technically really good players and physically really good players, we need to mix technical, physical and tactically smart players.”
VICTORIA’S FUTURE MATILDAS HOPEFULS
CAITLIN KARIC
Age: 18 (2005)
Position: striker
Caitlin is into her fourth season with Melbourne City in the A-Leagues, she has represented the Young Matildas and is part of Football Australia’s Future Matildas program. Has a keen eye for goal and doesn’t mind letting go from long-range. Has been hampered by various injuries the last few years and will hopefully show her full potential once she is free of these niggles.
EHVA GUTSZMIT
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: defensive midfielder
A staple of the Senior FV Academy squad and a versatile defensive midfielder that can play a variety of positions when called upon. Ehva’s humble nature coupled with her mental resilience is an outstanding footballer. With her low centre of gravity, ball control and composure makes her one of the most intelligent midfielders of the NPLW.
ALICE FRANCOU
Age: 17
Position: winger
Alice has been recruited to FV Emerging to continue her development as a talented winger in senior competition. She participated in the previous Asian Cup in Indonesia and played several matches for the Junior Matildas.
CLANCY WESTAWAY
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: attacking midfielder
One of the hardest working midfielders that prides herself on discipline and ownership. A footballer with relentless work-ethic that has caught the eye of many A-Leagues coaches as a potential signing for the future. Clancy’s ability to dictate terms through her vision and pin-point execution sees her as a formidable footballer and is the engine room for the Football Victoria squad. Clancy is one to witness in the flesh in this upcoming NPLW season.
ANIKA DOVASTON
Age: 19, (2004)
Position: attacking midfielder
Anika’s natural leadership qualities are evident through her committed and sacrificial nature on and off the pitch and is a well regarded footballer among her peers. Dovaston’s calm composure on the ball coupled with exceptional reading of play and possessing astute game intelligence makes her a player to watch during this season. Many liken Anika’s style of football to that of Arsenal academy players
DANELLA BUTRUS
Age: 17
Position: striker
Dani is a young Matilda who performed well at the 2024 Asian Cup in Indonesia. She has developed in the NTC program coming from a community club. Currently she has decided to take a step forward and has left FV to aspire to compete in the finals of the NPLW with Bulleen Lions.
FIORINA IARIA
Age: 18 (2006)
Position: winger/striker
This dynamic and fast forward loves to take on defenders and find the back of the net. Fiorina’s mindset is one that you would find in top goalscorers in the high leagues. She’s quoted as saying “mentally, you have to be willing to miss to play the position.” A weekly distant traveller from Shepparton, who shows her desire and commitment that others admire. Fiorina has set her sights for a big season ahead under Football Victoria.
CHARLOTTE HREHORESIN
Age: 18
Position: goalkeeper
A product of FV NTC and recently A-League outfits Melbourne City and Western United, this young goalkeeper has the maturity of someone twice her age. A natural born leader who puts her body on the line week-in, week-out without a thought. This enigmatic shot-stopper showed her worth last season as the No.1 GK for NPLW club Preston Lions, where she contributed to its inaugural NPL success as the custodian in the NIKE FC Cup final and the NPLW grand final. This season under Football Victoria, Charlotte will look to go further in her development into professional ranks rapidly.
AMELIA TARTAGLIA
Age: 17
Position: centre back
Amelia was another member of the Junior Matildas in the last Asian Cup tournament, playing the majority of minutes in this tournament. Last season she took a step forward in senior competition, being an important player in FV Emerging. This season she is one of the pillars of FV Emerging.
POPPY O’KEEFE
Age: 16 (2008)
Position: midfielder
A product of the NTC program for the past three years, Poppy has rapidly established herself as one of Victoria’s top football prospects. This intelligent midfielder made her NPLW debut last season at the remarkable age of 15, showcasing her exceptional maturity and skill on the pitch. Poppy’s high football IQ is evident in her smart decision-making and ability to control the game’s tempo as a playmaker. Her talent has not gone unnoticed, earning her a spot in the Junior Matildas Camp and, more recently, a place in the A-Leagues with Melbourne Victory. Her trajectory suggests she’s on track to become one of the most promising upcoming talents in women’s football in Victoria, if not Australia, combining technical prowess with tactical acumen that belies her age.
CARINA ROSSI
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: attacking midfielder
Was selected as part of the Melbourne City squad for the first stage of the Asian Champions League and has been a part of the FV NTC program for two years, represented Victoria, been in Junior Matildas camp and featured a senior level with the FV Emerging NPLW squad. A daring attacker, who can hit the scoreboard from midfield. Carina also had the opportunity to train with Vaxjo, who are in the Swedish top flight, at the beginning of the year and impressed.
ANNABELLE YATES
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: fullback
A versatile and dynamic fullback, Annabelle has quickly become a key asset for both FV Emerging and the Junior Matildas. Despite her natural right-foot dominance, she demonstrates remarkable adaptability, comfortably playing on both sides of the pitch with equal effectiveness. Annabelle’s tireless work-rate makes her the engine room on the wing, constantly driving forward and tracking back with seemingly endless energy. A product of the NTC program for the last four years, her development has been rapid and impressive. At just 17, she already boasts two seasons of senior NPLW experience, showcasing maturity beyond her years. Annabelle’s talent and potential were further recognised when she was selected to participate with the Junior Matildas in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup campaign in Bali, Indonesia. Her consistent performances and international exposure mark her as one of the most promising young defenders in Australian women’s football, with a bright future ahead in the sport.
KIERA MEYERS
Age: 17
Position: winger/midfielder
Kiera is an established player in the A-League, who continues to show her talent at Melbourne City. She has made her debut in the Asian Champions League and despite her youth she is showing that this season she is going to be an important player for her club.
GEORGIA GROIDIS
Age: 16 (2008)
Position: striker
Georgia, at just 16 years old, has already established herself as a formidable goal-scoring machine. Her technical skills and tactical intelligence make her a nightmare for defenders, consistently finding the back of the net with remarkable precision. A key asset for the Junior Matildas, Georgia’s performances have drawn comparisons to top-tier professional strikers. Her natural talent, coupled with an innate understanding of the game, showcases the key features of a player destined for a professional football career. However, her promising trajectory has been temporarily halted by two back-to-back ACL injuries in the last 14 months, a significant setback for such a young player. Despite these challenges, Georgia’s mental resilience and determination mirror those of elite athletes. The football community eagerly anticipates her return to the pitch, as she diligently works through her injury rehabilitation. Once fully recovered, Georgia is expected to pick up where she left off, continuing her path as one of the most exciting young striking prospects in Australian women’s football.
EVA KOKOTIS
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: winger
Eva is a dynamic and exciting left-footed winger who embodies the spirit of creative, entertaining football. With blistering speed and a natural affinity for taking on defenders in one-v-one situations, Eva made her NPLW debut last season, immediately establishing herself as a key player for Football Victoria Emerging. Her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed at the national level either, having been part of the Junior Matildas camps in the past. Eva’s impact on the pitch is evidenced by her impressive tally of four goals in just 14 games during her debut season. Unfortunately, a foot injury setback sidelined her for the second part of the season, interrupting what was shaping up to be a breakout year. Her style of play, combining speed, skill, and an eye for goal, makes her one of the most entertaining prospects to watch. As she recovers and continues to develop, Eva is poised to become a standout performer in Victorian women’s football, with her talent and attacking prowess promising to light up pitches in the coming seasons.
JADE TAM
Age: 17 (2007)
Position: defender
Jade, affectionately known as Porscha, is a versatile and solid presence in the backline. While capable of playing across all defensive positions, she truly excels as a central defender, where her talents shine brightest. Porscha’s composure on the ball sets her apart, allowing her to function as a defensive playmaker and initiate attacks from deep. Her powerful and accurate right foot is a potent weapon, delivering long diagonal balls that can quickly transition defence into attack, while also making her a threat on set pieces. Making her NPLW senior debut last season during her first year with FV Emerging, Porscha quickly established herself as a key starting player, showcasing maturity beyond her years. Her leadership qualities are evident both on and off the pitch, leading by example and earning the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Porscha’s solid defensive skills, coupled with her ability to read the game and contribute to the attack, make her an interesting prospect who could be on track for consideration in the next Young Matildas cohort. As she continues to develop and gain experience, Porscha is poised to become one of the standout young defenders in Victorian women’s football.
Originally published as Who are the young Victorians hoping to become the next stars of the Matildas
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