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It seems every season of the W-League there’s a new first, a new breakthrough, a new hint of progress. The rumoured $300,000 marquee signing of Sam Kerr is a massive sign of where the women’s game is heading, and while she’s been an ever-present over the first decade of the competition, in fighting off both Chelsea and Barcelona for her signature FFA have put significant resources behind the usual rhetoric of growing the game.

We open with a Sydney derby – not a bad old way to start the season, as Western Sydney Wanderers play host to their crosstown rivals, from Marconi stadium, one of the grand old grounds of the NSL.

Wanderers finished 8th last season, but weren’t a million miles off the pace, and they’ve recruited strongly, not least of all former Sydney FC coach Dan Barrett. Former Sky Blues Servet Uzunlar and Caitlin Cooper bring a wealth of experience to an historically young squad, with Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Leena Khamis also heading west and offering plenty of W-League smarts, with around 170 games experience between them.

For Sydney FC, it might be a season of looking over their shoulder – with plenty of teams considerably stronger this campaign and perhaps fancying themselves against last year’s beaten grand finalists. The return of Alanna Kennedy is a massive in for the Sky Blues, who retain top Matildas talent in Lisa de Vanna, Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and a (hopefully) fit-again Amy Harrison after a horror run of injuries.

We’ll have live action here shortly, so start prepping your best insights, predictions and general musings to join the conversation. W-League 2018/19. Right here. Soon!