2024–25 Western United FC season

Western United
2024–25 season
Owner	Western Melbourne Group,; Sayers Road Investment Co,; Jaszac Investments - Jason Sourasis,; Theodore Andriopoulos,; Steve Horvat,; Levent Shevki and John Tripodi
Head Coach	John Aloisi
Stadium	Ironbark Fields; AAMI Park
A-League Men	11th
Australia Cup	Play-offs
Top goalscorer	League: Hiroshi Ibusuki (3); All: Hiroshi Ibusuki; (3)
Highest home attendance	4,325; vs. Melbourne City ; (4 November 2024); A-League Men
Lowest home attendance	4,207; vs. Western Sydney Wanderers ; (27 October 2024); A-League Men
Average home league attendance	4,266
Biggest win	3–1; vs. Perth Glory (N); (22 November 2024); A-League Men
Biggest defeat	1–4; vs. Newcastle Jets (N); (24 July 2024); Australia Cup
	← 2023–24 2025–26 →
	All statistics correct as of 22 November 2024.

The 2024–25 season is the Western United Football Club's sixth season. They will participate in the A-League Men for the sixth time.

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	AUS	Tom Heward-Belle
4	DF	AUS	James Donachie
5	FW	AUS	Oliver Lavale (scholarship)
6	DF	JPN	Tomoki Imai (vice-captain)
7	FW	AUS	Ramy Najjarine
9	FW	JPN	Hiroshi Ibusuki
10	MF	AUS	Matthew Grimaldi
13	DF	AUS	Tate Russell
14	FW	AUS	Jake Najdovski
17	DF	AUS	Ben Garuccio (captain)
19	FW	AUS	Noah Botic
20	FW	AUS	Abel Walatee (scholarship)
21	MF	AUS	Sebastian Pasquali
22	DF	AUS	Kane Vidmar (scholarship)


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
23	MF	AUS	Rhys Bozinovski
24	FW	AUS	Michael Ruhs
29	DF	IRQ	Charbel Shamoon (scholarship)
30	DF	AUS	Dylan Leonard (scholarship)
32	MF	AUS	Angus Thurgate
33	GK	AUS	Matt Sutton
34	MF	AUS	James York (scholarship)
37	FW	AUS	Luke Vickery (scholarship)
41	DF	AUS	Besian Kutleshi (scholarship)
43	DF	AUS	Khoder Kaddour (scholarship)
44	MF	AUS	Jordan Lauton (scholarship)
47	DF	NZL	Luka Coveny (scholarship)
70	GK	AUS	Michael Vonja (scholarship)
77	MF	JPN	Riku Danzaki

Transfers and contracts

Transfers in

No.	Position	Name	From	Type/fee	Contract length	Date	Ref.
9	FW	Hiroshi Ibusuki	Unattached	Free transfer	2 years	21 May 2024	^[2]
13	DF	Tate Russell	Western Sydney Wanderers	Free transfer	2 years	14 June 2024	^[3]
41	DF	Besian Kutleshi	Melbourne City NPL	Free transfer	3 year scholarship	2 August 2024	^[4]

From youth squad

N	Pos.	Name	Age	Notes
20	FW	Abel Walatee	20	2 year scholarship contract^[5]^[6]
37	FW	Luke Vickery	18	2 year scholarship contract^[7]^[6]
43	DF	Khoder Kaddour	20	2 year scholarship contract^[7]^[6]
30	DF	Dylan Leonard	16	2 year scholarship contract^[8]^[6]
47	DF	Luka Coveny	18	2 year scholarship contract^[8]^[6]
34	MF	James York	19	scholarship contract^[9]
44	MF	Jordan Lauton	21	scholarship contract^[9]
29	DF	Charbel Shamoon	20	scholarship contract^[10]

Transfers out

No.	Position	Name	To	Type/fee	Date	Ref.
19	DF	Josh Risdon	Unattached	End of contract	8 May 2024	^[11]
10	MF	Steven Lustica	Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2024	^[12]
13	FW	Nikita Rukavytsya	Unattached	End of contract		^[13]
24	DF	Connor O'Toole	Unattached	End of contract		^[13]
27	DF	Jacob Tratt	Unattached	End of contract		^[13]
8	FW	Lachlan Wales	Gyeongnam FC	End of contract	28 June 2024	^[14]^[15]
11	MF	Daniel Penha	Atlético Mineiro	End of loan	12 July 2024	^[16]

Contract extensions

No.	Name	Position	Duration	Date	Notes	Ref.
21	Sebastian Pasquali	Central midfielder	2 years	11 June 2024		^[17]
23	Rhys Bozinovski	Defensive midfielder	3 years	9 September 2024	New 3-year contract, replacing previous contract which was until end of 2024–25	^[18]

Pre-season and friendlies

Win Draw Loss Fixtures

3 August 2024	Western United	8–0	St Albans Saints	Melbourne
11:10 AEST	Thurgate ?' ? ?' (o.g.) Najdovski ?' Vickery ?', ?' Walatee ?' Koek ?' M. Leonard ?'	Report		Stadium: Ironbark Fields Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)

22 August 2024	Western United	1–2	Caroline Springs George Cross	Melbourne
19:00 AEST	Walatee 88'	Report	? 7' ? 71'	Stadium: City Vista Recreation Reserve

30 August 2024	Port Melbourne	1–1	Western United	Melbourne
19:30 AEST	? 21'	Report	Obani 83'	Stadium: JL Murphy Reserve

14 September 2024	Western United	2–0	Melbourne City	Melbourne
11:00 AEST	Ibusuki 29' Lavale 71'	Report		Stadium: Ironbark Fields Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)

25 September 2024	Western United	1–2	Auckland FC	Melbourne
13:00 AEST	Lavale 23'	Report	Bidois 68' Rogerson 72'	Stadium: Ironbark Fields

6 October 2024	Melbourne City	1–1	Western United	Melbourne
	Jeggo	Report	Garuccio	Stadium: Casey Fields

11 October 2024	Western United	3–1	Melbourne Victory	Melbourne
	Walatee ?' Danzaki ?', ?'	Report	Teague ?'	Stadium: Ironbark Fields Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)

Competitions

Overall record

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
A-League Men	20 October 2024	3 May 2025	Matchday 1		5	1	2	2	6	6	+0	020.00
Australia Cup	24 July 2024		Play-offs	Play-offs	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	000.00
Total					6	1	2	3	7	10	−3	016.67

Last updated: 22 November 2024
Source: Competitions

A-League Men

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
7	Sydney FC	4	2	0	2	6	6	0	6
8	Central Coast Mariners	5	1	3	1	3	5	−2	6
9	Western United	5	1	2	2	6	6	0	5
10	Western Sydney Wanderers	4	1	1	2	9	8	+1	4
11	Newcastle Jets	4	1	0	3	4	8	−4	3

Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 2024. Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) wins; 5) head-to-head results; 5a) head-to-head points; 5b) head-to-head goal difference; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away goal difference; 8) away goals per match; 9) home goal difference; 10) home goals per match; 11) toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.^[19]

Results summary

Away figures include Western United's 3–1 win on neutral ground against Perth Glory on 22 November 2024.


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
5	1	2	2	6	6	0	5	0	1	1	1	2	−1	1	1	1	5	4	+1

Last updated: 22 November 2024.
Source: Ultimate A-League

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	17	13	15	16	14	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29
Ground	A	H	H	A	N	H	H	A	A	H	B	A	A	A	H	B	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	B	H	A	A	H	H
Result	D	D	L	L	W						X					X								X
Position	6	8	10	11
Points	1	2	2	2	5

Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 2024. Source: Ultimate A-League
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; X = Bye

Matches

Win Draw Loss Fixtures

20 October 2024 1	Wellington Phoenix	1–1	Western United	Wellington
16:00 NZDT	Barbarouses 45+2'	Report	Thurgate 76'	Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 7,535 Referee: Adam Kersey

27 October 2024 2	Western United	1–1	Western Sydney Wanderers	Melbourne
16:00 AEDT	Ibusuki 48'	Report	Borrello 14'	Stadium: Ironbark Fields Attendance: 4,207 Referee: Alireza Faghani

4 November 2024 3	Western United	0–1	Melbourne City	Melbourne
19:00 AEDT		Report	Nabbout 49'	Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 4,325 Referee: Ben Abraham

9 November 2024 4	Adelaide United	2–1	Western United	Adelaide
19:05 ACDT	Leonard 32' (o.g.) Clough 71'	Report	Vidmar 10'	Stadium: Coopers Stadium Attendance: 10,166 Referee: Daniel Elder
Note: Originally scheduled for 20:00, the match was brought forward 55 minutes.^[20]

22 November 2024 5	Perth Glory	1–3	Western United	Sydney
17:30 AEDT	Ostler 52'	Report	Leonard 60' Ibusuki 65', 76'	Stadium: Allianz Stadium Referee: Alireza Faghani

30 November 2024 6	Western United	v	Melbourne Victory	Melbourne
19:35 AEDT				Stadium: AAMI Park

7 December 2024 7	Western United	v	Macarthur FC	Melbourne
18:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

14 December 2024 8	Sydney FC	v	Western United	Sydney
17:00 AEDT				Stadium: Allianz Stadium

21 December 2024 9	Auckland FC	v	Western United	Auckland
17:00 NZDT				Stadium: Go Media Stadium

29 December 2024 10	Western United	v	Brisbane Roar	Melbourne
17:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

3 January 2025 12	Perth Glory	v	Western United	Perth
18:45 AWST				Stadium: HBF Park

7 January 2025 17	Melbourne City	v	Western United	Melbourne
18:00 AEDT				Stadium: AAMI Park

10 January 2025 13	Melbourne Victory	v	Western United	Melbourne
19:35 AEDT				Stadium: AAMI Park

17 January 2025 15	Western United	v	Newcastle Jets	Melbourne
17:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

29 January 2025 14	Western United	v	Central Coast Mariners	Melbourne
19:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

9 February 2025 18	Macarthur FC	v	Western United	Sydney
17:00 UTC+11:00\AEDT				Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium

15 February 2025 19	Western United	v	Auckland FC	Melbourne
18:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

23 February 2025 20	Western United	v	Adelaide United	Melbourne
17:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

28 February 2025 21	Central Coast Mariners	v	Western United	Gosford
19:35 AEDT				Stadium: Industree Group Stadium

8 March 2025 22	Western United	v	Wellington Phoenix	Melbourne
18:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

16 March 2025 23	Newcastle Jets	v	Western United	Newcastle
17:00 AEDT				Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium

5 April 2025 25	Western United	v	Perth Glory	Melbourne
18:00 AEDT				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

13 April 2025 26	Western Sydney Wanderers	v	Western United	Sydney
17:00 AEST				Stadium: CommBank Stadium

17 April 2025 27	Brisbane Roar	v	Western United	Brisbane
19:35 AEST				Stadium: Suncorp Stadium

27 April 2025 28	Western United	v	Sydney FC	Melbourne
17:00 AEST				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

3 May 2025 29	Western United	v	Auckland FC	Melbourne
18:00 AEST				Stadium: Ironbark Fields

Australia Cup

24 July 2024 Play-offs	Newcastle Jets	4–1	Western United	Darwin
17:25 ACST	Garuccio 17' (o.g.) Aquilina 29', 66' Grimaldi 42'	Report	Danzaki 89'	Stadium: Larrakia Park Referee: Tim Danaskos

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.^[21]

As of 22 November 2024

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	A-League Men		2024 Australia Cup		Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Tom Heward-Belle	0	0	1	0	1	0
4	DF		James Donachie	1	0	1	0	2	0
5	FW		Oliver Lavale	3+1	0	1	0	5	0
6	DF		Tomoki Imai	3	0	0	0	3	0
7	FW		Ramy Najjarine	0+1	0	0	0	1	0
9	FW		Hiroshi Ibusuki	5	3	0+1	0	6	3
10	MF		Matthew Grimaldi	5	0	1	0	6	0
13	DF		Tate Russell	5	0	1	0	6	0
14	FW		Jake Nadjovski	0+2	0	0	0	2	0
17	DF		Ben Garuccio	1+1	0	1	0	3	0
19	FW		Noah Botic	2+3	0	0	0	5	0
20	FW		Abel Walatee	0+5	0	0+1	0	6	0
21	MF		Sebastian Pasquali	4+1	0	1	0	6	0
22	DF		Kane Vidmar	2	1	0	0	2	1
23	MF		Rhys Bozinovski	1+4	0	1	0	6	0
29	DF		Charbel Shamoon	4+1	0	0	0	5	0
30	DF		Dylan Leonard	4+1	1	0	0	5	1
32	MF		Angus Thurgate	5	1	1	0	6	1
33	GK		Matt Sutton	5	0	0	0	5	0
34	MF		James York	0+1	0	1	0	2	0
44	MF		Jordan Lauton	0	0	0+1	0	1	0
47	DF		Luka Coveny	0	0	0+1	0	1	0
48	FW		Mark Leonard	0	0	0+1	0	1	0
77	MF		Riku Danzaki	5	0	1	1	6	1

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.^[21]

As of 22 November 2024

Rank	No.	Pos.	Name	A-League Men			2024 Australia Cup			Total

				1	30	DF		Dylan Leonard	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
2	32	MF	Angus Thurgate	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
3	6	DF	Tomoki Imai	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	20	FW	Abel Walatee	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	21	MF	Sebastian Pasquali	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total				4	0	1	1	0	0	5	0	1

Clean sheets

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

As of 22 November 2024

Rank	No.	Nat.	Goalkeeper	A-League Men	2024 Australia Cup	Total
Total				0	0	0

References

^ "Western United returns to AAMI Park for blockbuster Derbies". Western United. 28 October 2024.
^ Hughes, Nick (21 May 2024). "Hiroshi Ibusuki bringing firepower for Western United fans in Tarneit". Western United.
^ Hughes, Nick (14 June 2024). "Explosive defender Tate Russell signs on to the Green & Black". Western United.
^ "Wonderkid Besian Kutleshi lands at home at Western United". Western United. 2 August 2024.
^ Hughes, Nick (7 May 2024). "Abel Walatee driving Western United's future with first pro deal". Western United.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Anthony Frost [@Anthony__Frost] (8 June 2024). "No problem Vojna Lavale Kaddour Walatee Vickery Coveny D Leonard" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ ^a ^b "Two Western United young guns ink first professional terms". Western United. 3 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Western United youngsters set the future at the back in Tarneit". Western United. 7 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Lauton and York add to thrilling, dynamic young core at Western United". Western United. 23 July 2024.
^ Hughes, Nick (18 September 2024). "Charbel Shamoon signs professional terms after Western United breakout". Western United.
^ Hughes, Nick (8 May 2024). "Josh Risdon departs Western United as Club Legend". Western United.
^ "Steven Lustica departs Western United with iconic legacy". Western United. 10 May 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Western United confirms trio of A-League Men departures". Western United. 10 May 2024.
^ Hughes, Nick (28 June 2024). "Lachie Wales retains Western United legacy with move overseas". Western United.
^ Shin In-seop (5 July 2024). "[오피셜] 경남FC, 호주 올림픽대표 출신 래클런 웨일스 영입" [[Official] Gyeongnam FC recruits former Australian Olympic team member Lachlan Wales]. Daum (in Korean).
^ Hughes, Nick (12 July 2024). "Daniel Penha bids emotional farewell to Western United". Western United.
^ Hughes, Nick (11 June 2024). "Sebastian Pasquali becomes Western United's longest-serving player". Western United.
^ Hughes, Nick (9 September 2024). "Rhys Bozinovski to shine at Ironbark Fields until 2027". Western United.
^ "Ladder change reverts as A-Leagues confirms updated rules & regulations for season 2024-25". A-Leagues. 17 October 2024.
^ "A-Leagues fixture updates for 2024–25 season". A-Leagues. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Western United FC - Squad". soccerway.com.

[1] "Western United returns to AAMI Park for blockbuster Derbies". Western United. 28 October 2024.

[2] Hughes, Nick (21 May 2024). "Hiroshi Ibusuki bringing firepower for Western United fans in Tarneit". Western United.

[3] Hughes, Nick (14 June 2024). "Explosive defender Tate Russell signs on to the Green & Black". Western United.

[4] "Wonderkid Besian Kutleshi lands at home at Western United". Western United. 2 August 2024.

[5] Hughes, Nick (7 May 2024). "Abel Walatee driving Western United's future with first pro deal". Western United.

[scholarships-6] Anthony Frost [@Anthony__Frost] (8 June 2024). "No problem Vojna Lavale Kaddour Walatee Vickery Coveny D Leonard" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[3Junepromotions-7] "Two Western United young guns ink first professional terms". Western United. 3 June 2024.

[7Junepromotions-8] "Western United youngsters set the future at the back in Tarneit". Western United. 7 June 2024.

[23Julypromotions-9] "Lauton and York add to thrilling, dynamic young core at Western United". Western United. 23 July 2024.

[10] Hughes, Nick (18 September 2024). "Charbel Shamoon signs professional terms after Western United breakout". Western United.

[11] Hughes, Nick (8 May 2024). "Josh Risdon departs Western United as Club Legend". Western United.

[12] "Steven Lustica departs Western United with iconic legacy". Western United. 10 May 2024.

[WesternTrioDepart10May-13] "Western United confirms trio of A-League Men departures". Western United. 10 May 2024.

[14] Hughes, Nick (28 June 2024). "Lachie Wales retains Western United legacy with move overseas". Western United.

[15] Shin In-seop (5 July 2024). "[오피셜] 경남FC, 호주 올림픽대표 출신 래클런 웨일스 영입" [[Official] Gyeongnam FC recruits former Australian Olympic team member Lachlan Wales]. Daum (in Korean).

[16] Hughes, Nick (12 July 2024). "Daniel Penha bids emotional farewell to Western United". Western United.

[17] Hughes, Nick (11 June 2024). "Sebastian Pasquali becomes Western United's longest-serving player". Western United.

[18] Hughes, Nick (9 September 2024). "Rhys Bozinovski to shine at Ironbark Fields until 2027". Western United.

[19] "Ladder change reverts as A-Leagues confirms updated rules & regulations for season 2024-25". A-Leagues. 17 October 2024.

[fixtureupdate1-20] "A-Leagues fixture updates for 2024–25 season". A-Leagues. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024.

[appearances-21] "Western United FC - Squad". soccerway.com.

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