2021 Women’s First Grade defender Winonah Heatley has signed for Melbourne City for the upcoming A-League Women’s season.
Heatley returns to Australia after playing in Sweden with Växjö DFF following the abandonment of the Northern Tigers NPL season earlier this season.
Prior to lockdown the defender started ten consecutive matches for Tigers after joining the club from Brisbane Roar, performing strongly in the heart of defence and scoring in a Round 8 win over Emerging Jets.
Heatley will be aiming to build on a breakthrough 2020-21 season and being selected in the Matildas squad to face Ireland in October.
Nine members of the 2021 Women’s First Grade squad are now signed to A-League Women’s clubs, Heatley joining Isabel Gomez (Wellington), Brianna Edwards (Wellington), Shadeene Evans (Adelaide), Malia Steinmetz (Western Sydney Wanderers), Morgan Aquino (Perth Glory), Ellie Brush (Sydney FC), Lauren Allan (Newcastle Jets) and Aideen Keane (Perth Glory).
Unfortunately Ellie Brush has been ruled out for the season after a setback in her ACL injury rehabilitation, but will remain a part of the coaching team for Sydney FC.
Photos thanks to Dan Ullman – Aptitude Photography.