With the beginning of the A-League Women’s season 23/24 underway today, Saturday the 14th of October, we investigated arguably the biggest transfer of this year, Emma Checker. The capped Matilda departed Melbourne City after her 4-year spell with the club, transferring to their crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory, under Jeffrey Hopkins as his second new signing of the year.
Although this is a return for Checker to Victory, after captaining the City Blues for 3 seasons this was an announcement that shook the Women’s A-League and their fans. “Victory has an element of home” says Emma Checker soon after her recent transfer, reflecting on her first season in Melbourne as a 17-year-old South Australian in 2013. Checker explains how Melbourne Victory ‘started her progression into bigger things in Melbourne’ which she retained with her, throughout numerous transfers interstate and internationally to clubs such as the Hyundai Steel Red Angels in South Korea.
On August 31st, 2023, Melbourne Victory announced their partnership with the newly developed ‘Home of the Matildas’, in Bundoora. The new state-of-the-art facility will not only host the 23/24 fixtures but will also be the Melbourne Victory women’s new training base, which acts as a key pillar for Women’s football in Australia. “It’s an incredible space. It’s brand new” says Checker after her first few weeks at the facility, explaining how she can ‘feel it in the group’ in hope that the upgrade of professionalism will ultimately assist the squad in lifting the trophy for the third time.
Ex Fulham and Crystal Palace player, Jeff Hopkins will lead the Victory girls for his 8th year as Head Coach. After winning the Premier’s Plate in 2019 and the Championship in the 20/21 season, players such as Checker are more than satisfised with his extended time in the position. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for Jeff” says Checker whilst explaining how his success doesn’t come by luck, rather his immense amount of hard work which has assisted in the club’s positive history. Hopkins himself is chuffed with his signing of Checker “she will be a perfect fit for our squad”.
The New Balance and capped Matilda star, Emma Checker stated that “The number one reason I’m here is to walk away with the trophy” after her recent signing for Melbourne Victory in August 2023. She explains how she has an important role to contribute as a person and a player in her new team for the upcoming season.
After Victory’s comfortable 2-0 win against Western United last week, with goals from Rachel Lowe and Kurea Okino, we look to see the girls take on Brisbane Roar Tomorrow at 4pm at the Home of the Matildas.
Brisbane who placed 9th out of the 11 teams in the 22/23 season, will be looking to overcome Melbourne Victory who finished in the top 4. The opening fixture tomorrow will include a number of capped Matilda’s from both line ups. With Brisbane Roar snatching up current Matilda Tameka Yallop from Norway, along with Jenna McCormack (4 caps) and Young Matilda Hollie Palmer. Victory seems to comfortably overpower their opposition on paper as they incorporate a mass number of capped Matildas such as Lydia Williams, Emily Gielnik, Emma Checker, Elise Kellond-Knight and Jamilla Rankin.
After the monumental Women’s World Cup campaign this year, the global population was invested in women’s sport in a way that has never been seen before. With crowds of 75,000 obsessing over the capabilities of female players, especially our own Matildas, the A-League Women’s competition will only thrive off this kind of attraction. Clubs such as Melbourne Victory are increasing their standards in hope to create wider opportunity for the Women’s game in Australia, however it’s now the supporters time to get around their team! Tune in this weekend whilst we see the teams open their season with players such as Emma Checker hoping to kick off with a BANG!
Round 1 Fixtures:
📍Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets. Sat, 14 Oct 5pm
📍Perth Glory vs Western United. Sat, 14 Oct 10pm
📍Adelaide United vs Canberra United. Sun, 15 Oct 3pm
📍Sydney FC vs Western Sydney. Sun, 15 Oct 7:45pm
📍Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City. Sun, 15 Oct 1pm
📍Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar. Sun, 15 Oct 4pm.
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