Striker Caitlin Doeglas is hoping to continue her fairytale return to the Ninja A-League when Glory take on Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday (kick-off at 3pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10Play).
Watch her full pre-match media conference HERE
Watch Head Coach Stephen Peters’ pre-match media conference HERE
After nearly four years out of the professional competition, the 28-year-old made a remarkable comeback last weekend, marking her 50th appearance for Glory by opening the scoring against Sydney FC at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
And having been drafted into the squad on an injury replacement contract just a few days before the clash with the Sky Blues, she is relishing every moment of her second spell in purple.
“I was just training and having a lot of fun with the girls… so it was a welcome surprise,” she said.
“Obviously it wasn’t under the best circumstances with all the injuries that we’ve had, but I’m happy to step up.
“I’ve worked so, so hard [to get back into the ALW] and to get that goal was just amazing.
“It means the absolute world.
“Obviously I did my ACL [in 2021] and that was really devastating as it was my second one.
“But I always knew I was going to come back stronger and better.
“I worked really, really hard and the season after [the ACL injury] I went over to Sydney and played in the NPL there, which is one of the best leagues in Australia.
“I did well over there and surprised myself.
“I proved to myself that I can still stick it to some of the best young players in Australia, so I knew that I could still possibly be part of an A-League team.
“But to get the call-up and for everything to fall into place has just been the best.”
Next on the agenda for Doeglas and co is a showdown with Victory who have climbed to third in the table having lost just one of their last six games and she is expecting Jeff Hopkins’ side to provide a stern test.
“Melbourne Victory have been so consistent throughout the years,” she said.
“Even when I was playing [ALW] before, it was always a really tough game and they’ve done some really good recruiting again.
“It’s going to be a tough encounter, but we’ll give it our best shot and that’s all we can do.
“They’re tactically really strong and physically really strong, but the training that we’ve done this week has been very good.
“We’ve got some good momentum going into this game after the 1-1 against Sydney FC.
“I think we did really well against Sydney and I think with just a few minor tweaks, we’ll be able to give Victory a really good run for their money.”
In terms of early team news, Glory Head Coach Stephen Peters confirmed that co-captain Izzy Dalton is expected to recover from her hamstring issue in time to feature at some point this weekend and that both Tijan Mckenna and Megan Wynne will also be involved having been used off the bench against Sydney FC.
As for Victory, they are likely to be able to call upon Matildas duo Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik, with the latter having grabbed seven goals in just eight appearances already this term.
Defensive duo Claudia Bunge and Kayla Morrison have played every minute of every game so far this year, while ex-Glory attacking midfielder Alana Jancevski has contributed three goals and two assists.
Of the 28 previous ALW meetings between the two sides, Victory have won 12 to Glory’s 11, including last month’s Round 5 clash at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
The women in purple have not lost to the navy-and-whites in Victoria, however, since March 2021.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2024/25 Season Round 12
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Home of the Matildas
Saturday 18 January 2025
Kick-off: 3pm WST (6pm Local)
Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory squad: 1.Casey DUMONT, 4.Claudia VALLETTA, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 7.Megan WYNNE, 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 9.Gabby HOLLAR, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 12.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 13.Naomi CHINNAMA, 14.Miku SUNAGA, 18.Isabella FOLETTA, 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH, 21.Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 23.Izzy DALTON (co-c), 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG (co-c)
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 23.Izzy DALTON, 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (injured), 16.Bella WALLHEAD (injured), 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE (injured), 44.Kelli BROWN (injured)
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