Melissa Maizels when she was playing for Perth last season. Photo: Supplied by Canberra United.
After making a name for herself in Perth during the past two seasons and becoming Glory’s first-choice keeper, Melissa Maizels is coming back home to the nation’s capital as Canberra United look to return to finals contention in season 11 of W-league.
Maizels spent two seasons in Canberra from 2014-2016 but only made a meagre four appearances after she was United’s second choice goalkeeper behind Australian representative Lydia Williams.
The 25-year-old was a part of Canberra’s 2014 championship-winning side but the Melbourne product said she has “unfinished business” in Canberra and now has a golden opportunity to stake a claim for the starting position.
“I cannot wait to be back,” Maizels said. “It has been two years since I was in Canberra and it feels like I’m coming home. My career started in Canberra, I was there as a second-choice keeper and I feel like I have some unfinished business.
“I want to come and play for the club as the number one.
“The fans are what I miss most about Canberra, so I’m looking forward to showing them everything I’ve learnt and the player I’ve become since they showed belief in me back then.”
United coach Heather Garriock was full of praise for Maizels and said she was looking forward to working with her this season.
“To have Melissa returning to Canberra is great for the team and the club as a whole,” Garriock said.
“When she was here last time she obviously was behind Lydia, but now I am very excited to have her ready to for this season. She has aspirations to play for the Matildas and that’s what I love in a player, someone who sets themselves challenges and a long-term goal.”
Maizels joins Nikola Orgill, Tash Prior, Taren King, and South African duo Refiloe Jane and Rhoda Mulaudzi on Canberra’s books for the upcoming season.
The 2018-19 Westfield W-League season is set to begin in late October.
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