The Matildas keeper and skipper had played for her hometown club since day one of the W-League, but with rising star Brianna Davey at her disposal, Victory coach Vicki Linton released Barbieri on the eve of this season.

It was a move that raised eyebrows but Barbieri, 31, was subsequently picked up by ambitious Newcastle Jets, who travel to Geelong this Saturday to take on Victory.

Barbieri is said to have vowed to buy a Melbourne Heart membership as retaliation and she took a cheeky parting shot at her former club Victory on this website.

“Now with the Hunter Sports Group looking after all the [Jets] teams we feel like a massive family, which I’ve never had before," she told au.fourfourtwo.com after signing.

“I love it here; it’s refreshing to be valued. It’s nice to have people look after you. I haven’t had that in Melbourne for a long time. It’s refreshing.”

Her return has ramped up interest in the game with FFV – who run the Victory W-League team – talking up the chance to break the W-League crowd record.

The regular season crowd record currently stands at 1,637 (season one, Canberra United v Central Coast Mariners), while the all-time crowd record stands at 1,872 at the season three grand final, Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar at Campbelltown Stadium.

The clash looks likely to have a say in which side finishes in the play-offs, so that extra dimension to the game will no doubt add extra spice to the match. 

And the Jets feature a star-studded squad including dynamic Matildas Lisa De Vanna, Emily Van Egmond and German international defender Ariane Hingst. 

And the showdown between Barbieri and the keeper who took her place, Young Matilda Brianna Davey, will be another aspect that will no doubt intrigue fans. 

Geelong-based star Laura Spiranovic is said to be close to a return to the Victory squad after illness kept the striker out of action in recent weeks.

Spiranovic is the sister of Socceroo Matt Spiranovic and is a big name in Geelong football circles.

“The team is really looking forward to going back, we’re looking to get a big crowd out there as the girls really thrive off of that,” said Victory coach Linton.

“There’s nothing better in football than playing in front of a large passionate home crowd and it would be great to break the Westfield W-League crowd record this weekend.

 “The surface is one of the best in the country and that will allow us to play our natural attacking game which hopefully will give the crowd a fast, entertaining match as well.”

If you can’t get to the game at Simonds Stadium in Geelong (formerly Skilled Stadium) the match is live on ABC1, Saturday, 3pm.

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