Adelaide United

Predicted finish: 9th

Last season: 6th

First game: November 3. Western Sydney Wanderers, Marconi Stadium. 7.30pm

Overview: The Reds are still yet to announce their complete squad but have managed to keep young gun Alex Chidiac. Adelaide have also welcomed back some key names for their second-stint – Matilda Emma who is coming back from South Korea and code hopper Jenna McCormick who just enjoyed an AFLW premiership with Adelaide Crows. United scored the second most goals last season and looked strong going forward. However the teams such as Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory have strengthened their squad and there will be pressure to keep up with the tightness of the competition.

Emma Checker said: “The club have made a lot of changes in the right direction and we’ve made some really great signings. We may not have the strongest looking squad on paper and people may underestimate us. Internationally we have some great girls coming in from the US and some great local talent.”

Coach: Ivan Karlovic

Squad: Eliza Campbell (GK), Emily Hodgson, Jenna McCormick, Georgia Campagnale, Emily Condon, Adriana Jones, Alex Chidiac, Grace Abbey, Emma Checker

Brisbane Roar

Predicted finish: 5th

Last season: 7th

First game: October 27. Sydney FC, Allianz Stadium. 5.20pm

Overview: Brisbane Roar struggled to score goals last season, but now have secured the services and have welcomed home Matilda Hayley Raso after winning the American NWSL championship with Portland Thorns. Captain Clare Polkinghorne, who is a veteran of the club is ready to lead once again under newly appointed manager Melissa Andreatta, while familiar names Katrina ‘Mini’ Gorry and Tameka Butt have stuck around. The pressure will be on for the team to work collectively this season to improve after finishing seventh in 2016/17.

Katrina Gorry said: “When I was in Japan (playing for Vegalta Sendai) I could see the hype around the W-League. It’s sad not being around for pre-season but I knew our girls were working really hard and it was really exciting to get back. We always have the core group of girls who stay on and have been loyal to the club.”

Coach: Melissa Andreatta

Squad: Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Georgina Worth (GK), Summer O'Brien, Clare Polkinghorne (c), Kaitlyn Torpey, Carson Pickett (international), Amy Chapman, Katrina Gorry, Ayesha Norrie, Natalie Tathem, Celeste Boureille (international), Wai Ki Cheung (international), Abbey Lloyd, Hayley Raso, Allira Toby, Tameka Butt

Canberra United

Predicted finish: 2nd

Last season: 1st

First game: October 28. Melbourne Victory, Epping Stadium. 4.30pm

Overview: Former Matilda Heather Garriock has taken charge of the W-League’s only standalone club. Taking over from Rae Dower, she has brought in a number of Young Matildas including the experienced Ellie Carpenter, who makes the switch from Western Sydney Wanderers. Canberra topped the table last season but lost the semi-final to Melbourne City in extra-time. Now with the likes of familiar faces - Michelle Heyman and Ashleigh Sykes and adding four new internationals, the women in green could be up there once again this year.

Ashleigh Sykes said: “We have such a big women’s football presence here in Canberra, we’ve managed to develop a culture of success. Hopefully go one better again this year and make it to the final with that trophy. We’ve recruited well this year, some great internationals as well some good local talent.”

Coach: Heather Garriock

Squad: Haley Kopmeyer (GK) (international), Georgia Boric (GK), Clare Hunt, Toni Pressley (international), Sarah Morgan, Ellie Carpenter, Laura Bassett (international), Georgia Plessas, Caitlin Munoz, Liana Danaskos, Grace Maher, Bethany Gordon, Karly Roestbakken, Taren King, Amy Sayer, Nickoletta Flannery, Ashleigh Sykes, Madelyn Whittall, Aoife Colvill, Michelle Heyman (c), Kendall Fletcher (international)

Melbourne City

Predicted finish: 1st

Last season: 4th (champions)

First game: October 27. Perth Glory, nib Stadium. 7pm

Overview: Once again you can expect City to be at the top and will be looking to back up their back-to-back championships into the threepeat. New coach Patrick Kisnorbo has brought in some big names including star Matildas Kyah Simon who can hurt you up front and Alanna Kennedy who is a solid defender. Add to the mix captain Steph Catley who has grown versatile as well as the three internationals who have proven themselves in the W-League. It could get ugly this season.

Steph Catley said: “Last season there was pressure from the fact we went through undefeated, but this year it’s the same. Everybody is saying ‘can they do it three times in a row?’. We’re looking at it as a fresh start. There is a little bit of pressure, but I think it’s a brand new season.”

Coach: Patrick Kisnorbo

Squad: Lydia Williams (GK), Emily Shields (GK), Emily Kenshole (GK), Yukari Kinga (international), Lauren Barnes (international), Steph Catley (c), Larissa Crummer, Jess Fishlock (international), Rhali Dobson, Rebekah Stott, Alanna Kennedy, Ashlee Hatch (international), Amy Jackson, Kyah Simon, Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, Sofia Sakalis, Hayley Richmond

Melbourne Victory

Predicted Finish: 6th

Last season: 9th

First game: October 28. Canberra United, Epping Stadium. 4.30pm

Overview: You would be forgiven to think The Big V have upped their game in order to match rival Melbourne City and coach Jeff Hopkins has strengthened the squad since taking over last season. He has secured Matildas star Laura Alleway for her second-stint as well as the services of experienced goalkeeper Casey Dumont. There is also a number of developing young guns such as young guns Annabel Martin and Mindy Barbieri. With the return of Natasha Dowie and a fully fit Laura Spiranovic up front, Victory can climb the ladder from winning the wooden spoon last season.

Laura Alleway said: “It’s a brand new squad and year, the girls’ mentality has been excellent. It’s really blown me away with their work rate and their attitude towards learning. Yes, we way have a young squad, but the maturity levels on the girls go beyond their years if you’ve got the right mentality and passion.”

Coach: Jeff Hopkins

Squad: Casey Dumont (GK), Mason-Jones (GK), Laura Alleway, Melina Ayres, MelindaJ Barbieri, Angela Beard, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Natasha Dowie (c) (international), Tiffany Eliadis, Christina Gibbons (international), Alexandra Gummer, Gulcan Koca, Whitney Knight, Annabel Martin, Lia Privitelli, Laura Spiranovic, Jeon Ga-eul (international), Kristen McNabb (international)

Newcastle Jets

Predicted finish: 8th

Last season: 5th

First game: October 29. Western Sydney Wanderers, McDonald Jones Stadium. 2.30pm

Overview: Newcastle welcome back Matildas star Emily van Egmond who has enjoyed time with Bundesliga sides 1. FFC Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg and will be crucial to the way they set up this season. The Jets will be delighted to re-sign American Arin Gilliland who scored four goals in nine games last season. Coach Craig Deans will be disappointed he has lost star Chloe Logarzo to Sydney FC who he wasn’t able to utilise because of an ankle injury. But the Jets have secured an exciting up-and-coming talent Young Matilda Cortnee Vine and 19-year-old Clare Wheeler continues to build her portfolio. Katie Stengel enjoyed six goals last season for the Wanderers and could be needed again as she heads up North to the Jets.

Arin Gilliland said: “I’ve been looking forward to coming back since the moment I left last year. I’ve been chatting with Deansy and there was no doubt in my mind about returning to Newcastle. I want to get plenty of opportunities in front of goal, improve my finishing and hopefully find the back of the net.”

Coach: Craig Deans

Squad: Claire Coelho (GK), Britt Eckerstrom (GK) (international), Arin Gilliland (international), Cassidy Davis, Gema Simon (c), Jenna Kingsley, Tara Andrews, Hannah Brewer, Tori Huster (international), Nikola Orgill, Tash Prior, Katie Stengel (international), Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine

Perth Glory

Predicted finish: 4th

Last season: 2nd (runner-up)

First game: October 27. Melbourne City, nib Stadium. 7pm

Overview: It is hard not to fully focus on Sam Kerr after the year she has had, now she returns and along with the remaining Glory players from last season, it will be about going one better after losing the grand final to Melbourne City. Glory have also secured the services of Marianna Tabain for her second-spell up front, the Croatian-Aussie could prove to be vital as more attention will be placed on Kerr.

Sam Kerr said: “A lot of people look to this league now and take it really seriously. In the first few years people came out for a bit of a holiday and an opportunity to see Australia but I know a lot of the girls in the US now are fighting for spots.”

Coach: Bobby Despotovski

Squad: Melissa Maizels (GK), Gabby Dal Busco (GK), Shawn Billam, Patricia Charalambous, Nicola Bolger, Sarah Carroll, Roisin Connolly, Caitlin Doeglas, Amanda Frisbie (international), Jaymee Gibbons, Rachel Hill (international), Sam Kerr (c), Shannon May, Raquel Rodriquez (international), Nikki Stanton (international), Marianna Tabain

Sydney FC

Predicted finish: 3rd

Last season: 3rd

First game: October 27. Brisbane Roar, Allianz Stadium. 5.20pm

Overview: The Sky Blues had a dirty day to end their 2016/17 season, copping a 5-1 smashing to Perth Glory. Sydney have lost Alanna Kennedy and Kyah Simon to Melbourne City. But with the losses they have gained the likes of Lisa De Vanna, Caitlin Cooper and Chloe Logarzo. The squad has not changed dramatically as Ante Juric takes reign over former coach Daniel Barrett. And while the squad has a number of Matildas they could still run into trouble with the firepower of City and Canberra United. Sydney however, have young guns Princess Ibini and Remy Siemsen to get excited about.

Chloe Logarzo said: “This year the league has had the most exposure it’s ever had. Last year was a test run with the double headers with the boys, for me it’s the best thing we’ve done is bring in double headers. We might be the underdog this year, but I don’t mind that. Sydney’s always had that name for itself in the W-League.”

Coach: Ante Juric

Squad: Sham Khamis (GK), Rachael Soutar, Teigen Allen, Caitlin Cooper, Elizabeth Ralston, Teresa Polias (c), Remy Siemsen, Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Leena Khamis, Princess Ibini, Amy Harrison, Angelique Hristodoulou, Lisa De Vanna, Kylie Ledbrook, Chloe Logarzo, Emma Rolston, Emily Sonnett (international), Julia Vignes, Ally Green, Taylor Ray

Western Sydney Wanderers

Predicted finish: 7th

Last season: 8th

First game: October 29. Newcastle Jets, McDonald Jones Stadium. 2.30pm

Overview: Western Sydney have opted to buck the trend of filling their international spots with Americans by signing Israeli international Lee Falkon and two Dutch players - Maruschka Waldus and Marlous Pieete. American Lo’eau LaBonta joins Wanderers in her first ever visit to Australia after finishing seventh in the NWSL with side FC Kansas City. Last season’s captain Caitlin Cooper has signed for their crosstown rivals and will need to look to another senior leader. And after losing Casey Dumont, there could be a battle between Trudy Burke and Young Matilda Jada Mathyssen-Whyman in goals. There is also a fair gap between young and old in the squad which may leave it up to the internationals to deliver.

Lo’eau LaBonta said: “Australian football culture is different to America’s. It’ll be great to have this as a challenge and hopefully this takes me out of my comfort zone. We have a great staff behind us, so we have the resources and if we utilise everything, we absolutely have a chance of winning the championship.”

Coach: Richard Byrne

Squad: Trudy Burke (GK), Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (GK), Lee Falkon (international), Sunny Franco, Erica Halloway, Kahlia Hogg, Talitha Kramer, Lo’eau LaBonta (international), Katelyn Leadbeatter, Rachel Lowe, Chloe O’Brien, Susan Phonsongkham, Marlous Pieete (international), Alix Roberts, Olivia Price, Rosie Sutton, Maruschka Waldus (international)