The 2008–09 season was Canberra United Football Club's first season, in the newly formed women's league in Australia the W-League. Canberra United finished 3rd in their W-League season, finishing as runners-up in the Grand Final.
Review The first announcement of the club came in July 2008, coinciding with the establishment of the new W-League. The formation of the new club presented a unique situation in the league, that it was not associated with an established A-League side. In August, Canberra appointed Matildas assistant coach Robbie Hooker as coach for the inaugural season, and ACT Senator Kate Lundy as club chair. United also announced its first key signing in local Canberran and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams. Hooker made a number of key signings in the first registration window, also securing Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman, Grace Gill-McGrath, Hayley Crawford, Rhian Davies, Thea Slatyer for the inaugural season. The squad was further expanded in the lead up to the first round, signing on a number of players from the ACT and Southern NSW, and also signing Sasha McDonnell and Kara Mowbray from Queensland. The final squad presented significant strength on paper, boasting eight full internationals and a further four Young Matildas.
United started the season steadily, alternating losses and wins in the opening rounds - including a win over eventual Premiers Queensland Roar. Scoring came with some difficulty for the side, with four goals in their opening first five matches. Influencing this record was an injury to striker Caitlin Munoz in Round 1, keeping her sidelined for a number of weeks. Munoz's return to the side in Round 6 immediately lifted the scoring rate, contributing four goals in the last five rounds. Despite early losses, Canberra were unbeaten in the last seven rounds of the competition, achieving a third placed finish with a record of four wins, four draws and two losses. Canberra's strength throughout the season has been in defence, drawn from a number of experienced players. In front of a dependable Williams in goal, a defensive backline led by Thea Slatyer and captain Ellie Brush frustrated opposition and ensured the second-best defensive record in the competition, bettered only by Premiers Queensland.
United won their away semi-final against Newcastle Jets, and progressed to the inaugural final, where they were defeated by Queensland Roar.
Players Name and positionNoJoined inFormer teamBirth dateCitizenship GoalkeepersLydia Williams 1 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Maja Blasch 20 2008 Canberra City SC DefendersEllie Brush (c) 7 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Rhian Davies 2 2008 NSW Institute of Sport Grace Gill-McGrath 9 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Rebecca Kiting 8 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Thea Slatyer (vc) 13 2008 NSW Institute of Sport Bronwyn Studman 4 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Snez Veljanovska 16 2008 ACT Academy of Sport (age 20) Christine Walters 17 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Midfielders Lucy Allan 18 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Jennifer Bisset 19 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Cian Maciejewski 11 2008 Belwest Foxes Kara Mowbray 12 2008 Queensland Lions Nicole Sykes 15 2008 Western NSW Panthers FC ForwardsAmy Chapman 3 2008 ACT Academy of Sport Hayley Crawford 10 2008 NSW Institute of Sport Sasha McDonnell 5 2008 Queensland Lions Caitlin Munoz 6 2008 Pali Blues Ashleigh Sykes 14 2008 Western NSW Panthers FC
Transfers
Short-term signings PlayerTeamStart DateEnd DateReason Ellie RaymondACTAS 29 October 2008 6 November 2008Cover for Ashleigh Sykes while on international duty Sophie KochinosACTAS 29 October 2008 6 November 2008Cover for Christine Walters while on international duty Michaela DayBelwest Foxes 29 October 2008 6 November 2008Cover for Bronwyn Studman while on international duty
Competitions
Overall record
W-League
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches The league fixtures were announced on 1 October 2008.
Finals series
Statistics
Appearances and goals Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.
Disciplinary record Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.
References