Meet the Victorian talents hoping to become next generation of Matildas
With “Matilda-mania” at fever pitch, meet the Victorian young guns hoping to become the next generation of Aussie World Cup heroes.
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A host of Victorian talents are on track to potentially become Matildas.
Several young guns are already in green and gold, representing the Young Matildas and Junior Matildas on the international stage.
And there’s plenty more coming through the ranks and being snapped up by A-League clubs Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western United.
Football Victoria talent development manager Annick Fokchak said the level of talent in the state was exciting.
“We’ve had 10 or so been identified, gone into camp or gone away to qualifiers,” Fokchak said.
“The younger girls coming through are really pushing and hopefully in five, six or seven years time we’ll see them on the big stage as well.
“Post COVID, we had to find our way again a little bit and get the girls back into some consistency.
“Once we did that last year we started to see towards the back end of 2022 what we expected of some of the players and now this year we’ve had even more identified for national teams.”
The likes of Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross have come through the FV National Training Centre (NTC).
Naomi Chinnama, Ava Breidis and Alana Murphy were selected in last Young Matildas squad, while Georgia Groidis, Kiera Meyers, Poppy O’Keefe, Amelia Tartaglia and Annabelle Yates are in the Junior Matildas set-up.
Check out the best Victorian talent below.
Amelia Tartaglia
Age: U15 (2008)
Position: centre-back
The strong centre-back has been a part of the FV NTC program for two years and is captain of the Under-15 group. A Junior Matilda and Victoria representative in 2022.
Poppy O’Keeffe
Age: U15 (2008)
Position: attacking midfielder
A part of the FV NTC program for two years and relocated to Melbourne from Wodonga this season, joining the Maribyrnong Sports Academy. A Junior Matilda and Victoria representative in 2022, O’Keefe is a creative midfielder with excellent technique.
Cece Los
Age: U15 (2008)
Position: centre-back
The Victoria representative earned an invite to Junior Matildas camp off the back of her strong form in 2022 and has been a part of the FV NTC program for two years.
Ehva Gutszmit
Age: U17 (2007)
Position: defensive midfielder
Stepped up to the FV Emerging squad in the NPL this season having been a part of the FV NTC program for three years and has previously been a part of Junior Matildas camp. The Victoria representative has high game intelligence and wins important midfield battles.
Clancy Westaway
Age: U17 (2007)
Position: attacking midfielder
Has been a part of the FV NTC program for three years and has Junior Matildas and Victoria representative experience under her belt. Currently features in the NTC Under-17 team in the NPLW Under-19 competition and doubles as a referee. Good vision, which brings others into the game.
Annabelle Yates
Age: U17 (2007)
Position: fullback
Has stepped up to the senior FV Emerging squad this season after moving down to Melbourne from Wodonga. A member of the FV NTC program for two years and has been part of the Junior Matildas and Victoria squads. A high intensity player that can run all day.
Georgia Groidis
Age: U17 (2008)
Position: striker
Earnt a place in Melbourne City’s train-on squad after impressing in the NTC Under-17 team, while also being a member of the FV NTC program for three years and Junior Matildas and Victoria squads last year. High-energy striker that always wants the ball, is creative and can strike a ball. Loves to score goals.
Nia Mohd Salleh
Age: U17 (2007)
Position: winger
A part of Melbourne Victory’s pathway program after being a member of the FV NTC program for three years and scoring an invite to Junior Matildas camp and representing Victoria in 2022. Plays in the NTC Under-17 squad in the NPLW Under-19s competition.
Chloe McKenzie
Age: U17 (2006)
Position: goalkeeper
Joined the FV NTC Program this year after impressing for Bayside United. A Victoria representative last season who possess strong leadership, is calm under pressure and has good distribution from the back.
Aimie Adcock
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2005)
Position: striker, winger
A quick, technically strong forward who can strike a ball from long-range. A train-on player with Melbourne Victory in 2021 and has been a part of the FV NTC program for five years and represented Victoria since 2019. Plays in the under-20 FV Emerging squad in the NPLW.
Alana Cortellino
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2006)
Position: winger
Has plenty of experience through four years of the FV NTC program, Victoria representative, Football Australia Future Matildas program and Melbourne Victoria pathways program. Also part of the FV Emerging NPLW squad. A lightning quick winger who likes to take on her defender and run at goals.
Anika Dovaston
Age: U19, FV Emerging (2004)
Position: attacking midfielder
Is captain of the FV Emerging NPLW squad this season after seven years in the FV NTC program and four-time Victoria representative (2018-19, 2022-23). Part of the Melbourne Victory pathways program, Dovaston is calm on the ball, reads the play well and possesses good game intelligence.
Caitlin Karic
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2005)
Position: striker
Currently on Melbourne City’s A-League roster, has represented the Young Matildas and is part of Football Australia’s Future Matildas program. Has been in the FV NTC program for four years and played senior NPLW in the FV Emerging squad. Has a keen eye for goal and doesn’t mind letting go from long-range.
Carina Rossi
Age: U17, FV Emerging (2007)
Position: attacking midfielder
Trains with Melbourne City after being 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.
Anna Liacopoulos
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2006)
Position: centre-back
Strong centre-back who isn’t afraid to get stuck into hard tackles and also strong aerially. Earned a Melbourne Victory scholarship contract after impressing in the FV NTC program and representing Victoria in 2022-23. Features in the senior FV Emerging Senior NPLW squad.
Charlotte Hrehoresin
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2006)
Position: goalkeeper
A Melbourne City train-on player and part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program. The shot-stopper has a strong presence behind the ball having been part of the FV NTC program for two years, represented Victoria and played senior NPLW for the FV Emerging squad.
Sophie Dehne
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2006)
Position: goalkeeper
A Melbourne Victory train-on player and part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program. Strong hands allow her to stop aerial attacks and has a clean left foot. A member of the FV NTC program for two years, Victoria representative and plays senior NPLW in the FV Emerging squad.
Isabella Accardo
Age: U18, FV Emerging (2005)
Position: centre-back
Played eight games for Melbourne City last A-League season and is part of the FV Emerging squad for the NPLW season. A part of the FV NTC program for five years and Victoria representative since 2018. A Junior Matilda and part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program, Accardo is seen as a future leader, who can break up play and run forward with purpose.
Silver Bell Morris
Age: U19, FV Emerging (2004)
Position: centre-back
Belies her age with her anticipation and understanding of the game. Has signed on at Western United after seven years in the FV NTC program and remains a key player for the FV Emerging squad in the NPLW. Born in Myanmar, Bell Morris is part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program.
Kiera Meyers
Age: U17, FV Emerging (2007)
Position: winger
Only one year in the FV NTC program but is already a Victoria representative, Junior Matilda and Melbourne City train-on player. Currently features for the FV Emerging squad in the NPLW. A quick winger with natural creativity who shows huge potential for the future.
Ava Piazza
Age: U18 (2005)
Club: Heidelberg United
Position: centre-back
The NSW native relocated to Melbourne this season and has already represented Victoria. Was part of the NTC program in NSW before joining Heidelberg United in NPLW competition and is also part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program. Calm under pressure and a very good distributer of the ball.
Fiorina Iaria
Age: U18 (2006)
Club: Calder United
Position: winger
The attacker loves to take on defenders and find the back of the net. Originally from Shepparton, the Victoria representative plays for NPLW power Calder United and has three goals this season. Represented the state in under-16s in 2022 and under-18s in 2023.
Naomi Thomas-Chinnama
Age: U19, FV Emerging (2004)
Position: centre-back
A Junior Matilda and Young Matilda and has already made several A-League appearances for Melbourne City. Also part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program. An attack-minded central defender who loves to drive with the ball but also adept at winning the ball back quickly and organising the team.
Ava Briedis
Age: U18 (2006)
Club: Heidelberg United
Position: attacking midfielder
Broke through for her A-League debut with Melbourne Victory after three years in the FV NTC program. A Junior Matilda, Young Matilda and part of Football Australia’s Future Matildas program. Loves to take defenders on, good passing range and can strike a ball from long-range.
Rosie Curtis
Age: U19 (2004)
Club: Box Hill United
Position: attacking, defensive midfielder
Possesses a strong passing range with good accuracy and doesn’t mind a hit on goal. Already a Melbourne Victory with Young Matildas experience to her name and a part of the Football Australia Future Matildas program.
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