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)