Victorian soccer Top 80: The best female juniors revealed
They’re young, talented and the future of women’s soccer. Expect many of these 80 stars to be gracing the field in the A-League Women and with the Australian Matildas in years to come.
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The future of women’s soccer in Victoria is bright with some youngsters already joining A-League clubs while a few have risen to national level with the Matildas.
We take a look at these top prospects and whole lot more, including the players in contention for the state team ahead of squad announcements at the end of the month.
A selected Victorian under-14 and under-16 team is set to head to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales in September to play in national tournaments, while the under-18’s will begin their campaign in October.
Players featured in the top 80 have been categorised by age group from under-14’s to under-18’s.
Last week we looked at potential future Socceroos, this week we highlight the youngsters who could become Matildas.
See the names:
- UNDER-14s -
Georgia Groidis
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria National Training Centre (NTC) under-14
Joined the Football Victoria NTC two years ago from Bulleen Lions. A highly rated potent striker who provides assists and strikes the ball with immense power. One to watch for the future as one of the most promising youngsters coming through the ranks.
Poppy O‘Keeffe
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Highly rated attacking midfielder from Wangaratta who played for Murray United before joining Football Victoria. Known to have a killer pass and great awareness. A player who drives forward with purpose and can go forward and score. She has been involved in Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Abbey Reid
Position: Defender
Club: Bendigo City
A right back or right centre back who is strong on the ball with the ability to hold off defenders. She is a defensively minded player who can be difficult to get past.
Alana Bogers
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Strong distributor of the ball who can hold off defenders. Bogers, who is from Ballarat, can play as a right back and defensive midfielder. She has been involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program where she trains with them once a week.
Alice Francou
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A dual position player who can play as a right wing and an attacking midfielder. The Glen Eira product known to be quick, with an ability to assist goals with crosses. She is also good in one-on-one situations. Francou has been involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Allegra Angel
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Has the ability to play on both sides in defence. A defensive minded player from Box Hill who is strong on the ball with the ability to hold off opposition players with her height and strength.
Amelia Tartaglia
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A centre back from Box Hill who is strong on the ball and has the strength to out muscle opposition players. Rated as one of the best defenders in the state for her age. Tartaglia has been training with Melbourne Victory once a week as part of the Elite Girls Program.
Anastasia Kyriacou
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A goalkeeper from Heidelberg who dives well to make good saves. She is a good distributor of the ball and is also known to be strong in one-on-one situations.
Cleo Angel
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A defender from Williams Landing who is clever going forward with the ability to join the attack to create some chances.
Cornelia Los
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A left centre back originally from South Melbourne who is tall and strong on the ball. She can hold off defenders and is defensively minded. Los was a part of Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Georgia Karaparidis
Position: Midfielder
Club: Box Hill United
An attacking midfielder who is calm on the ball. Excitingly shows good ball mastery skills. She can also play as a box-to-box midfielder.
Heidi Draai
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Defensively minded player who plays as a right centre back and defensive midfielder. Someone who is strong on the ball and can hold off defenders. Draai comes from Bulleen before joining Football Victoria and has also been involved in Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Kaya Jugovic
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Potent striker who provides assists and can shoot a ball with power. A top prospect who makes good runs in behind and can also play as an attacking midfielder. Jugovic came from South Melbourne before joining Football Victoria. She has also been training in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Keira Sarris
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A defensive midfielder who comes from Bulleen Lions. Sarris is known for having a killer pass. She has great awareness and is calm on the ball.
Larni Giudice
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Originally from Bendigo City before moving to Football Victoria. Giudice is a player who is calm on the ball with great awareness. She also has a killer pass which can break open opposition defences.
Leyla Hussien
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A top prospect who is quick with a good eye for goal. Prior to moving to Victory Hussien played for Calder United. She is a player who also provides assists and accurate crosses on the right wing when playing as a winger at times. She has been training with Melbourne Victory as part of the Elite Girls Program.
Maja Kokarevski
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Box Hill United
An exciting goalkeeper who is solid in one-one-one situations and can dive well to save. Also a good distributor of the ball.
Marlah Monro
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
Monro previously played at Calder United before moving to Football Victoria. A committed player who travels from Bendigo for training. She is known for her diving saves and strong ability to win one-on-ones. Also a good distributor of the ball.
Merve Yucel
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A winger originally from Bulleen Lions who is quick and good in one-on-ones. She makes good runs in behind and can provide assists with her crosses on the right wing.
Olivia Mashado
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
An attacking midfielder from Berwick City who possesses a killer pass, is calm on the ball and shows good skills on the ball.
Sara Petkaris
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Box Hill United
Attacking midfielder who can also play as a left winger. A player who is calm on the ball and drives forward with purpose. She is strong and can find good passes. Petkaris’ older brother plays in a Melbourne City youth team while she is involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Tianyi Huang
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
An attacking midfielder who can also play as a striker. Previously from Box Hill, Huang is strong on the ball with the ability to hold off defenders to bring others in the game for scoring opportunities. She has been training with Melbourne Victory as part of their Elite Girls Program.
Tilly Boadle
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-14
A striker who previously played at Bayside United before joining Football Victoria. She is known to be able to drive forward and make good runs in behind.
- UNDER-16s -
Ava Briedis
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
Highly rated box-to-box midfielder who has great awareness and creativity. A player to watch that possesses a killer pass, calmness with the ball and a long range strike. Briedis is in the Junior Matildas and Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Alana Cortellino
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A highly rated prospect to keep an eye on. Have the ability to provide great assists with crosses as a right winger. Cortellino is involved in the Junior Matildas program and has been training with Melbourne Victory as part of the Elite Junior Girls program.
Anna Liacopolous
Position: Defender-Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A defensive minded player who can hold off defenders. Has good distribution of the ball and can push up the ground to play as a defensive midfielder. She was previously at South Melbourne before moving to Football Victoria. She has been involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Junior Girls program.
Annabelle Yates
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Top prospect who was previously at Murray United in Wangaratta before moving to Football Victoria. A right back who can also play as a box-to-box midfielder. A defensive minded player who can hold off defenders. A good distributor that can drive forward making overlap runs down the wing.
Annaliese Bader
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A defensive midfielder who is a good distributor and strong in holding off defenders.
Ashton Conkling
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Defensive minded player who is in the Western United Development Squad. She is accurate with her passing and able to hold off players.
Briana Zdravkovski
Position: Defender/Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A dual position player who can play as a left back but also up the field as a winger. She is calm on the ball, drives forward with purpose and strong.
Brigette Murray
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Quick winger who provides assists and crosses down the right wing. Murray is involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Carina Rossi
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Ex-Bulleen Lions player who mainly plays as a box-to-box midfielder but can also go forward as a striker. Has a killer pass and calmness with the ball. Is creative and has a dangerous long range strike. She is a train on player with Melbourne City.
Charlise Costa
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A left side defender who is clever going forward and can join them and score. She has a defensive mindset at the other end of the field that is beneficial.
Charlotte Hrehoresin
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
Ex-St Albans Saints player who is a top prospect among the state’s young female goalkeepers. A keeper who dives well to save, has good distribution skills and is strong in one-on-one situations.
Chloe McKenzie
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Bayside United
A keeper from Bayside United who dives well to save, has good distribution skills and is strong in one-on-one situations.
Clancy Westaway
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
Has a killer pass supported by her creativity and calmness with the ball. Also makes good runs forward from midfield. She has been involved in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Ehva Gutzsmit
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A defensive midfielder who can also play right back. Gutzsmit is a top prospect who possesses a killer pass and is a creative player. She makes good runs forward as well. She is also involved in Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Emily Rutkowski
Position: Defender/Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A right back who can also play winger. Is a clever player going forward and can join in attack to create chances.
Eva Kokotis
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Quick winger who has a good eye for goal sparked by runs in behind, good dribbling and deception when taking on players in a one-on-one.
Fiorina Iaria
Position: Forward/Defender
Club: Calder United
Originally from Shepperton, Iaria is a quick winger who provides assists with cut backs and crosses inside. She makes good runs in behind and has defensive qualities as a full back. She is a top prospect in the under-16’s age group who is also in the Western United Development Squad.
Hannah Skotnica
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A defensive minded player originally from Geelong before moving to Football Victoria. She can play as a right back as well as a defensive midfielder while she is also clever going forward in attack.
Holly Tancin
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
An attacking midfielder who is tall and strong on the ball, can hold off defenders and uses deception to get out of tight areas. Tancin is also in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Juliette Lemieux
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A box-to-box midfielder who can also play as a striker. Tall and strong on the ball with the ability to hold off defenders. She uses deception well to get out of crowded areas.
Kitty Masters
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A defensive midfielder who is calm on the ball, makes forward runs from midfield and can bring others in the game. She is currently trailing overseas in the UK.
Lara Aitken
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
Attacking midfielder with a killer pass but also is calm on the ball. She is creative and makes forward runs from midfield.
Maia Marinkovic
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A top prospect who is strong and tall with a good eye for goal. She plays as a striker and makes good runs in behind. She is a part of the Junior Matildas camps.
Malee Siketa
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Goalkeeper from Geelong who can produce great diving saves and one-on-one wins. A good distributor of the ball as well.
Mia Sekirski
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A centre back who is tall and strong on the ball. Has the ability to hold off defenders. She is a part of the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program.
Nalina Plant
Position: Forward/Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
Left winger who can also play left back. Known to be quick and strong with a good eye for goal. Makes good runs in behind as well.
Nia Mohd Salleh
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-15
A top prospect who is quick as a striker, has a good eye for goal and provides assists to teammates. Can also play as a winger, proving good crosses and runs in behind.
Sienna Techera
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
Strong and tall striker who is also quick and can play on the wing. Has a good eye for goal and has been training with Melbourne Victory in the Elite Girls Program.
Kiera Meyers
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Southern United
Quick winger with a good eye for goal as a striker. Makes good runs in behind and is good at dribbling. She can also play as an attacking midfielder.
Kathryn Kakalis
Position: Forward
Club: Bulleen Lions
Has a good eye for goal as a striker who makes good runs in behind. She can also push out to the left wing to use more of her pace.
Maddie Rees
Position: Defender
Club: Box Hill United
A creative player who makes good runs forward from defence to join the attack. Also a strong player in defence.
Siena Layton-Welch
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria NTC under-17
A strong defensive minded player who can go forward and join in attack. She can also play as a defensive midfielder.
Hunter Gercovich
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Geelong Galaxy FC
A box-to-box midfielder from Geelong who gets up and down the field, covering good ground. She is strong defensively and can also push forward and play as a striker.
- UNDER-18’s -
Caitlin Karic
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
Highly rated striker with a good eye for goal who some say could be the next Sam Kerr. She was previously at Pascoe Vale before Football Victoria. Karic provides assists and crosses when she also plays as a right winger. She makes good runs in behind and has a powerful shot. Her father Tom Karic played in the NSL for Footscray. Caitlin this month is playing in an under-23’s tournament with the Young Matildas in the Philippines. She is also a contracted player with Melbourne City after signing a deal in 2021.
Isabella Accardo
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A highly rated right centre back who can also play defensive midfield. Accardo possesses a killer pass while providing calmness with possession of the ball. She makes good forward runs from midfield. She signed a scholarship contract with the Melbourne City in season 2021-2022 and is also involved in the Junior Matildas.
Silver Bell Morris
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
Highly rated centre back from Bendigo who is strong on the ball and good in the air. She can hold off attackers with her strength and has good game sense. She is in the Juniors Matildas and Elite Girls program with Victory. A player to watch.
Anika Dovaston
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A defensive midfielder who is creative with the ability to make a killer pass. She is calm on the ball and makes good forward runs from midfield. A top prospect who is in the Melbourne Victory Elite Girls program.
Angeliki Houndalas
Position: Defender
Club: South Melbourne
A left back who is clever going forward and can join the attack and be an impact.
Candice Kilderry
Position: Forward
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A left winger who is quick and has a good eye for goal. Provides good runs and can nail good crosses and cut backs into the box. Kilderry is one of the top under-18 prospects who is training with Melbourne City once or twice a week.
Cicily Paraskevas
Position: Defender
Club: Alamein
A right back who is a good distributor, drives the ball forward and makes handy overlapping runs down the wing.
Emilie Keppens
Position: Midfielder
Club: South Melbourne
A box-to-box midfielder who has a good eye for goal going forward. Keppens makes good runs in behind and is leading the goals scorer by a long way this season in the under-19’s. A top prospect who is one to watch.
Emma Somers
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Box Hill United
A handy keeper who will make good diving saves and provide good efforts in one-on-one situations. Also capable of distributing the ball well.
Evie Bowen
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Geelong Galaxy
Dives well to save and can defend corners well. Bowen is also good in distributing the ball from the back.
Harriet Lohrey
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A defensive minded player who can win the ball and distribute well. Drives forward and makes good overlapping runs down the wing.
Holly Murray
Position: Defender
Club: South Melbourne
A centre back with an ability to win the ball and distribute efficiently. Drives forward with pace as well and has good recovery speed in defence.
Jessica Young
Position: Midfielder
Club: South Melbourne
Has a killer pass and is creative supported by her calmness when in possession. She plays as an attacking midfielder. Injury this season has halted her time on-field.
Karina Tolios
Position: Midfielder
Club: South Melbourne
A creative player with a killer pass that opens up opposition defences. Tolios also makes good runs forward from midfield.
Matilda Lohrey
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A defensive minded right back who has good distribution and can drive forward making overlapping runs down the wing.
Maxine Diblasi
Position: Defender
Club: Heidelberg United
A right centre back who is a good distributor of the ball. Also likes to drive forward and create chances. A strong player who is good at holding up forwards.
Mila Bulic
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
A top prospect who plays as a right back and is a good distributor. She has good speed to recover and can win the ball off forwards and drive forward. Bulic was a part of the Junior Matildas and is also in the Elite Girls Program with Melbourne Victory.
Natalie Picak
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: South Melbourne
Goalkeeper from Geelong who plays for South Melbourne. Is a good keeper in one-on-one situations and can dive well to save shots. Also effective in passing the ball out.
Rosie Curtis
Position: Midfielder
Club: Football Victoria Emerging
Top prospect who is creative and possesses a killer pass. She can make good runs forward and is calm on the ball. She is a part of Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Simone Vass
Position: Defender
Club: Bulleen Lions
A right back who is strong on the ball and can hold off opponents.
Tsyon Geressu
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Calder United
Has a killer pass and is calm on the ball. Also makes good forward runs and can play as a striker.
Zoe Bennett
Position: Defender
Club: Football Victoria NTC
A great distributor of the ball who can hold off opponents.
Pearl Stevens
Position: Forward/Defender
Club: Heidelberg United
Quick player from Bendigo who can provide great crosses in from the left side. Makes good runs in behind and can also play as a left back with good speed to recover.
Emily Walker
Position: Midfielder
Club: Bayside United
An attacking midfielder who provides assists and can score. Makes nice runs in behind also.
*Not presented in any rank order
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