The 2023–24 A-League Women, known as the Liberty A-League for sponsorship reasons, was the sixteenth season of A-League Women, the Australian national women's soccer competition.
Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Dates | 13 October 2023 – 4 May 2024 |
Champions | Sydney FC (5th title) |
Premiers | Melbourne City (3rd title) |
Matches played | 139 |
Goals scored | 421 (3.03 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Michelle Heyman (17) |
Biggest home win | Melbourne Victory 4–0 Newcastle Jets (12 November 2023) Canberra United 5–1 Brisbane Roar (10 December 2023) |
Biggest away win | Adelaide United 0–8 Newcastle Jets (29 March 2024) |
Highest scoring | Melbourne City 5–3 Brisbane Roar (28 December 2023) Melbourne Victory 5–3 Wellington Phoenix (3 March 2024) Adelaide United 0–8 Newcastle Jets (29 March 2024) |
Longest winning run | 6 matches Western United |
Longest unbeaten run | 7 matches Melbourne Victory |
Longest winless run | 9 matches Perth Glory |
Longest losing run | 4 matches Adelaide United Wellington Phoenix |
Highest attendance | 11,471 Sydney FC 2–0 Western Sydney Wanderers (14 October 2023) |
Lowest attendance | 263 Melbourne City 1–1 Adelaide United (18 February 2024) |
Total attendance | 315,968 |
Average attendance | 2,273 |
← 2022–23 2024–25 →
All statistics correct as of 29 September 2024.(Note: Longest runs only include regular season results) |
The season commenced on 14 October and had a full double round-robin regular season for the first time.[1] The Grand Final was contested on 4 May 2024.[2][3]
Central Coast Mariners re-joined the competition, having played in the first two seasons before exiting due to financial reasons.[4][5]
Sydney FC were the defending premiers and champions, and successfully defended their championship. The premiers were Sydney's defeated opponent in the Grand Final, Melbourne City FC.
Ahead of the season, a new collective bargaining agreement was agreed, including a 20 percent increase to the salary cap, removing the cap of New Zealand players for Wellington Phoenix, and expanding the foreign player spots from 4 to 5, in line with the A-League Men competition.[6]
With a total attendance of 284,551 as of 15 April 2024, the 2023–24 A-League Women season set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history,[7][8][9][10] with the season finishing with a final total attendance of 312,199.[11]
Clubs
editStadiums and locations
editTeam | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Adelaide United | Adelaide | Coopers Stadium Marden Sports Complex |
16,500
6,000 |
Brisbane Roar | Brisbane | Ballymore Stadium Perry Park |
8,000
5,000 |
Canberra United | Canberra | McKellar Park | 3,500
|
Central Coast Mariners | Gosford | Industree Group Stadium | 20,059
|
Melbourne City | Melbourne | AAMI Park City Football Academy |
30,050
9,000 |
Melbourne Victory | Melbourne | AAMI Park The Home of the Matildas |
30,050
3,000 |
Newcastle Jets | Newcastle | Newcastle Number 2 Sports Ground McDonald Jones Stadium |
5,000
33,000 |
Perth Glory | Perth | Macedonia Park HBF Park |
7,000
20,500 |
Sydney FC | Sydney | Jubilee Oval Leichhardt Oval Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre |
20,505
20,000 5,000 |
Wellington Phoenix | Wellington Porirua Auckland |
Sky Stadium Jerry Collins Stadium Go Media Mount Smart Stadium |
34,500
1,900 30,000 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | Sydney | Marconi Stadium CommBank Stadium Wanderers Football Park |
9,000
30,000 1,000 |
Western United | Wyndham | City Vista Recreation Reserve | 4,000
|
Personnel and kits
editManagerial changes
editTeam | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position on table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Coast Mariners | Inaugural manager | Pre-season | Emily Husband[48] | 2 March 2023 | ||
Wellington Phoenix | Natalie Lawrence | End of contract | 5 May 2023[49] | Paul Temple[50] | 7 May 2023 | |
Western Sydney Wanderers | Kat Smith | Resigned | 4 October 2023 | Robbie Hooker[51] | 4 October 2023 | |
Brisbane Roar | Garrath McPherson | Sacked | 13 November 2023[52] | 4th | Alex Smith[53] | 14 November 2023 |
Western United | Mark Torcaso | Resigned | 1 December 2023 | 8th | Kat Smith[54] | 1 December 2023 |
Newcastle Jets | Gary van Egmond | Signed by Chinese Football Association | 15 January 2024 | 6th | Ryan Campbell (caretaker)[55] | 15 January 2024 |
Transfers
editForeign players
edit- A Australian citizens who have chosen to represent another national team
- B Those players who were born and started their professional career abroad but have since gained Australian citizenship
Regular season
editLeague table
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Melbourne City | 22 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 41 | Qualification to Finals series and 2024–25 AFC Women's Champions League |
2 | Sydney FC (C) | 22 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 31 | 20 | +11 | 39 | Qualification to Finals series |
3 | Western United | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 34 | +3 | 36 | |
4 | Melbourne Victory | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 36 | |
5 | Central Coast Mariners | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 31 | 24 | +7 | 35 | |
6 | Newcastle Jets | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 33 | |
7 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 33 | |
8 | Wellington Phoenix[a] | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 28 | |
9 | Brisbane Roar | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 28 | 35 | −7 | 26 | |
10 | Perth Glory | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 32 | −7 | 24 | |
11 | Canberra United | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 24 | |
12 | Adelaide United | 22 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 21 | 56 | −35 | 15 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) head-to-head results; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away head-to-head results; 8) home head-to-head results; 9) toss of a coin[56]
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for Asian Football Confederation competitions as they are based in New Zealand, which is under the Oceania Football Confederation.
Results
editIndividual matches are collated at each club's season article. Some fixtures in the first round were moved to larger venues following the success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[57]
Finals series
editThe finals series used the same format as A-League Men; run over four weeks, and involving the top six teams from the regular season. In the first week of fixtures, the third-through-sixth ranked teams played a single-elimination match, with the two winners of those matches joining the first and second ranked teams in two-legged semi-final ties; this was the first season that the A-League Women held two-legged semi-finals.[58] The two winners of those matches met in the Grand Final.[59] The previous format, which saw Sydney hosting the Grand Final until the 2024–25 season, was overturned in October 2023, reverting back to the higher-ranked semi-final winner hosting the match.[60]
Bracket
editElimination-finals | Semi-finals | Grand final | ||||||||||||||
1 | Melbourne City | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||
4 | Melbourne Victory | 0 (2) | 6 | Newcastle Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
5 | Central Coast Mariners (p) | 0 (4) | 1 | Melbourne City | 0 | |||||||||||
2 | Sydney FC | 1 | ||||||||||||||
2 | Sydney FC | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||
3 | Western United | 2 | 5 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
6 | Newcastle Jets (a.e.t.) | 4 |
Elimination-finals
editThird-placed Western United, who qualified for successive finals series, played their first home finals match against sixth-placed Newcastle Jets (appearing in their first finals series since 2018).[61] Newcastle took the lead 11 minutes in through Sarina Bolden until Western equalised by Alana Cerne. Bolden scored a penalty for Newcastle to take the lead into half-time, as Catherine Zimmerman score a penalty for Western to equalize again. In extra-time, Newcastle scored two further goals through Melina Ayres and Sophie Haban to win the match.[62]
Fourth-placed Melbourne Victory hosted a finals match for the first time since 2020, against fifth-placed Central Coast Mariners who had not played in a finals series since 2009.[63]
Semi-finals
editSummary
editTeam 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Melbourne City | 6–0 | Newcastle Jets | 3–0 | 3–0 |
Sydney FC | 2–1 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–0 | 1–1 |
Matches
editMelbourne City | 3–0 | Newcastle Jets |
---|---|---|
Report |
Melbourne City won 6–0 on aggregate.
Sydney FC won 2–1 on aggregate.
Grand final
editMelbourne City | 0–1 | Sydney FC |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Regular season statistics
editTop scorers
editRank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Michelle Heyman | Canberra United | 17 |
2 | Sarina Bolden | Newcastle Jets | 12 |
Sophie Harding | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
Rachel Lowe | Melbourne Victory | ||
5 | Hannah Keane | Western United | 10 |
Vesna Milivojević | Canberra United | ||
Mariana Speckmaier | Wellington Phoenix | ||
Cortnee Vine | Sydney FC | ||
9 | Chloe Logarzo | Western United | 9 |
Hannah Wilkinson | Melbourne City |
Hat-tricks
editPlayer | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Holly McNamara | Melbourne City | Western Sydney Wanderers | 4–3 (H) | 12 November 2023 | [64] |
Millie Farrow | Perth Glory | Melbourne City | 1–3 (A) | 9 December 2023 | [65] |
Vesna Milivojević | Canberra United | Brisbane Roar | 5–1 (H) | 10 December 2023 | [66] |
Emina Ekic | Melbourne City | Brisbane Roar | 5–3 (H) | 28 December 2023 | [67] |
Daniela Galic | Melbourne City | Adelaide United | 0–5 (A) | 6 January 2024 | [68] |
Sarina Bolden | Newcastle Jets | Brisbane Roar | 3–0 (H) | 17 February 2024 | [69] |
Hannah Keane | Western United | Canberra United | 4–2 (H) | 1 March 2024 | [70] |
Emily Gielnik | Melbourne Victory | Adelaide United | 4–1 (H) | 10 March 2024 | [71] |
- Key
- (H) Home team
- (A) Away team
End-of-season awards
editThe following awards were announced during half-time of the 2024 A-League Women grand final that took place on 4 May 2024.[72]
- Julie Dolan Medal – Sophie Harding (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- Young Footballer of the Year – Daniela Galic (Melbourne City)[73]
- Golden Boot Award – Michelle Heyman (Canberra United) (17 goals)
- Goalkeeper of the Year – Morgan Aquino (Perth Glory)
- Coach of the Year – Emily Husband (Central Coast Mariners)
- Referee of the Year – Casey Reibelt
- Fair Play Award – Melbourne City[74]
- Goal of the Year – Cassidy Davis (Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers, 5 November 2023)
- Save of the Year – Brianna Edwards (Wellington Phoenix)
- Playmaker of the Year – Alyssa Whinham (Wellington Phoenix)
- Fan Player of the Year – Mariana Speckmaier (Wellington Phoenix)
Club awards
editSee also
edit- 2023–24 A-League Men
- A-League Women transfers for 2023–24 season
- 2023–24 Adelaide United FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Brisbane Roar FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Canberra United FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Central Coast Mariners FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Melbourne City FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Melbourne Victory FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Newcastle Jets FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Perth Glory FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Sydney FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Wellington Phoenix FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Western Sydney Wanderers FC (women) season
- 2023–24 Western United FC (women) season
References
edit- ^ Pisani, Sacha (14 July 2023). "Confirmed: Start dates for 2023–24 A-Leagues seasons, FA releases Domestic Match Calendar". Keep Up (Press release). Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "A-Leagues announces full fixtures for season 2023-24". Football Australia. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Confirmed: Start dates for 2023–24 A-Leagues seasons, FA releases Domestic Match Calendar". 13 July 2023.
- ^ "Football Australia welcomes return of Central Coast Mariners to Liberty A-League Women's competition". Football Australia. 17 October 2022.
- ^ "Central Coast Mariners set for A-League Women's return in 2023–24". ESPN. 17 October 2022.
- ^ Comito, Matt (11 August 2023). "APL & PFA's six big Liberty A-League updates as salary cap goes up 20%: full details". Keep Up.
- ^ Tu, Jessie. "Women's A-League games most attended season of women's sport in Australian history". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "History made! 🥳⚽️🇦🇺 The most successful season in Liberty A-League history has set a new benchmark for women's sport in Australia". Facebook. A-Leagues. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Women's A-League down to four contenders after first stage of finals series". Friends of Football. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "INVEST IN WOMEN'S SPORT. The Tillies effect 😤 In a record-breaking week one of the Finals Series, the A-League became the most attended season, of any women's sport, in Australia ever. Surpassing the AFLW 2023 cumulative attendance total for the regular season + finals series". Instagram. The Female Athlete Project. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Thank you for making season 2023/24 of the Liberty A-League the biggest in the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇦🇺❤️ A 127% increase on last year. Just incredible". Facebook. A-Leagues. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Adelaide United announce ALW leadership group". Adelaide United. 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Reds unveil majestic home kit for 2022/23". Adelaide United. 26 August 2022.
- ^ "United extends partnership with Kite Property". Adelaide United. 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Brisbane Roar's captain Ayesha Norrie signs on for Liberty A-League 2023/24 season". Brisbane Roar. 11 August 2023.
- ^ "New Balance to Bring The Roar as new Official Apparel Partner". Brisbane Roar. 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Brisbane Roar continues partnership with Ausenco for 2023/24 Liberty A-League season". Brisbane Roar. 27 July 2023.
- ^ Mee, Cameron (28 August 2023). "A-League Women: Canberra United looking to fill half of squad with season looming". The Canberra Times.
While skipper Michelle Heyman is back for her 12th season with Canberra United...
- ^ "Canberra United & ISC Sport announce new apparel partnership". Canberra United. 10 September 2021.
- ^ "United reveal 22/23 home kit". Canberra United. 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Striking new away kit for United". Canberra United. 28 October 2022.
- ^ "Taren King named Central Coast Mariners A-League Women's captain". Central Coast Mariners. 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Central Coast Mariners announce club record apparel partnership with Cikers Australia alongside launch of 2023 Australia Cup kit". Central Coast Mariners. 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Long term partner DMC Conveyor Services becomes Mariners A-League Women's front of shirt sponsor". Central Coast Mariners. 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Rebekah Stott named Melbourne City Women's Captain". Melbourne City. 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Manchester City replaces Nike with Puma in kit deal". BBC News. 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Melbourne Victory announce Men's and Women's Captains". Melbourne Victory. 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Victory joins forces with Macron". Melbourne Victory. 30 July 2021.
- ^ "Melbourne Victory and MATE extend their partnership". Melbourne Victory. 15 November 2022.
- ^ Gardiner, James (11 October 2023). "A-League soccer, 2023: Jets name captains for 2023-24 A-League assault". The Newcastle Herald.
- ^ "Newcastle Jets launch new season kit with Legend Sportswear". Newcastle Jets. 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Port of Newcastle renews major partnership with Newcastle Jets". Newcastle Jets. 23 September 2022.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (11 October 2023). "Glory captains confirmed at glittering Season Launch". Perth Glory.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (15 January 2021). "Glory confirms four-year extension to Macron partnership". Perth Glory.
- ^ "Gold Valley is the Principal Partner of the Perth Glory Women's Team". Gold Valley. 30 November 2022.
- ^ "Tobin ready to lead once again". Sydney FC. 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Tobin To Miss Season With ACL Injury". Sydney FC. 17 October 2023.
Princess Ibini will take over captaincy duties in her absence.
- ^ "Sydney FC In Australian First Partnership With Under Armour". Sydney FC. 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Sydney FC announce five year principal partnership with Macquarie University". Sydney FC. 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Longo to lead new-look Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Paladin to keep kitting out the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 2 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Spark and OPPO double their support for the Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Harrison named Liberty A-Leagues captain". Western Sydney Wanderers. 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Three stripes for three years: Wanderers announce three-year partnership with Adidas". Western Sydney Wanderers. 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Wanderers announce Westfield W-League major partnership with Intermain". Western Sydney Wanderers. 26 September 2019.
- ^ Hughes, Nick (13 October 2023). "Sawicki and Logarzo to lead Western United Women in season two". Western United.
- ^ a b Hughes, Nick (5 October 2023). "Western United drops bold 2023/24 kits inspired by the West". Western United.
- ^ "Emily Husband appointed Mariners A-League Women's head coach". Central Coast Mariners. 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Lawrence decides to move on". Wellington Phoenix. 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Academy technical director to take charge of the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Wanderers Liberty A-League coaching update". Western Sydney Wanderers. 7 May 2023.
- ^ Gould, Joel (13 November 2023). "Brisbane Roar sack ALW coach Garrath McPherson". The Women's Game.
- ^ Monteverde, Marco (14 November 2023). "Alex Smith to replace sacked Garrath McPherson as coach of Brisbane Roar women's team". news.com.au.
- ^ Lynch, Joey (1 December 2023). "Torcaso quits Western Utd to focus on Philippines". ESPN.
- ^ "Gary van Egmond to depart the club". Newcastle Jets. 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Competitions Rules". A-Leagues. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Comito, Matt (22 August 2023). "Major stadiums announced for blockbuster opening round to 2023-24 Liberty A-League season". Keep Up.
- ^ Comito, Matt (8 April 2024). "Complete guide to the Liberty A-League Finals series: Everything you need to know". A-Leagues.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (28 March 2024). "Liberty A-League Premiership & finals race comes down to LAST ROUND: Every situation explained". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Kemp, Emma (18 October 2023). "A-Leagues reverse controversial grand final deal with Destination NSW". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Carr, Harry (10 April 2024). "Liberty A-League finalists assessed as key metric tips dark horse to come from nowhere". Football Australia. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Comito, Matt (13 April 2024). "Jets end 16-year wait for finals win in extra-time thriller as star adds to staggering record". Football Australia. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (14 April 2024). "Victory legend haunts former team in heroic display as Mariners reach semis for first time". Football Australia. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Comino, Matt (12 November 2023). "McNamara's star continues to rise as hat-trick leads City past Wanderers in seven-goal thriller". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Smith, Ben (9 December 2023). "A-League Women: Millie Farrow's hat-trick leads Perth Glory to 3-1 win over Melbourne City". The West Australian.
- ^ Harrington, Anna (10 December 2023). "Milivojevic delivers Canberra's first win, Vine scores". FTBL.
- ^ D'Urbano, Nick (28 December 2023). "City star's hat-trick powers league leaders to victory over Brisbane in eight-goal thriller". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ Dodd, James (6 January 2024). "Teenage star scores stunning hat-trick as City run riot in Adelaide". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Alex (17 February 2024). "Bolden beautiful hat-trick takes Jets into ALW top six". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Dodd, James (1 March 2024). "Western United ONE SECOND away from Liberty A-League history after defeating Canberra United". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (10 March 2024). "Victory's Matildas forward boosts chances of re-call with first hat-trick in 3 years". The A-Leagues. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Every Liberty A-League award winner: Julie Dolan Medalist, Fan Player of the Year & more". A-Leagues. 4 May 2024.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (3 May 2024). "Melbourne City sensation named Boost Young Footballer of the Year". A-Leagues.
- ^ "Congratulations @melbournecity: Winners of the Liberty A-League Fair Play award for season 2023-24!". A-Leagues. 29 April 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Every Liberty A-Leagues side's end of season award winners as international star cleans up!". A-Leagues. 15 May 2024.
- ^ @AdelaideUnited (15 May 2024). "Congratulations to Nanako Sasaki on being awarded the Di Alagich Medal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Brisbane Roar 2023/24 Season Awards Night at Emporium Hotel South Bank". Brisbane Roar. 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Heyman wins Canberra United Player of the Year". Canberra United. 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Historic award for Galic, Izzy & Nizzy dominate 2024 MMD". Central Coast Mariners. 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Player of the Year: Hughes takes out top honours". Melbourne City. 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Damien Da Silva and Kayla Morrison take out Victory Medal". Melbourne Victory. 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Bolden and Stamatelopoulos take out top awards". Newcastle Jets. 30 April 2024.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (6 May 2024). "Taggart and Lowry claim top honours at glittering MGP Awards event". Perth Glory.
- ^ "Lolley And McLean Take Out Top Season Awards". Sydney FC. 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Barry and Barbarouses crowned players of the year". Wellington Phoenix. 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Matos, Marcelo take out top honours at 2024 Wanderers Medal". Western Sydney Wanderers. 1 May 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Nick (8 May 2024). "Chloe Logarzo storms to Western United ALW Player of the Season win". Western United.