# 2023–24 Western United FC season

The 2023–24 season was the fifth in the history of Western United Football Club.

## Players
### First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | AUS | Tom Heward-Belle |
| 4 | DF | AUS | James Donachie |
| 6 | DF | JPN | Tomoki Imai (vice-captain) |
| 7 | FW | AUS | Ramy Najjarine |
| 8 | FW | AUS | Lachlan Wales |
| 9 | FW | AUS | Michael Ruhs |
| 10 | MF | AUS | Steven Lustica (vice-captain) |
| 11 | MF | BRA | Daniel Penha (on loan from Atlético Mineiro) |
| 13 | FW | AUS | Nikita Rukavytsya |
| 17 | DF | AUS | Ben Garuccio |
| 19 | DF | AUS | Josh Risdon (captain) |
| 21 | MF | AUS | Sebastian Pasquali |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 22 | DF | AUS | Kane Vidmar (scholarship) |
| 24 | DF | AUS | Connor O'Toole |
| 27 | DF | AUS | Jacob Tratt |
| 32 | MF | AUS | Angus Thurgate |
| 33 | GK | AUS | Matt Sutton |
| 38 | FW | AUS | Noah Botic |
| 39 | MF | AUS | Matthew Grimaldi |
| 41 | FW | AUS | Oliver Lavale (scholarship) |
| 42 | MF | AUS | Rhys Bozinovski |
| 49 | FW | AUS | Jake Najdovski |
| 70 | GK | AUS | Michael Vonja (scholarship) |
| 77 | MF | JPN | Riku Danzaki |

## Transfers
### Transfers in

| No. | Position | Player | Transferred from | Type/fee | Contract length | Date |
| 32 | MF | Angus Thurgate | Unattached | Free | 3 years | 17 May 2023 |
| 1 | GK | Tom Heward-Belle | Unattached | Free | 2 years | 14 June 2023 |
| 33 | GK | Matt Sutton | Unattached | Free | 2 years | 14 June 2023 |
| 4 | DF | James Donachie | Sydney FC | Free | 2 years | 4 July 2023 |
| 22 | DF | Kane Vidmar | Adelaide United NPL | Free | 2 year scholarship | 6 July 2023 |
| 11 | MF | Daniel Penha | Atlético Mineiro | Loan | 1 year | 19 July 2023 |
| 77 | MF | Riku Danzaki | Motherwell | Free transfer | 2 years | 24 July 2023 |
| 13 | FW | Nikita Rukavytsya | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 27 September 2023 |

#### From youth squad

| N | Pos. | Name | Age | Notes |
| 39 | MF | Matthew Grimaldi | 20 | 2 year scholarship contract |
| 41 | FW | Oliver Lavale | 18 | scholarship contract |
| 70 | GK | Michael Vonja | 17 | scholarship contract |

### Transfers out

| No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date |
| 44 | DF | Nikolai Topor-Stanley | Retired | Retired | 19 April 2023 |
| 23 | MF | Alessandro Diamanti | Retired | Retired | 24 April 2023 |
| 1 | GK | Jamie Young | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 4 | DF | Léo Lacroix | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 7 | MF | Tongo Doumbia | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 14 | MF | James Troisi | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 31 | FW | Adisu Bayew | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 33 | DF | Ben Collins | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 36 | DF | Ajak Deu | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 37 | GK | Ryan Scott | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 88 | MF | Neil Kilkenny | Unattached | End of contract | 8 May 2023 |
| 5 | MF | Dylan Pierias | Unattached | End of contract | 16 May 2023 |
| 11 | FW | Connor Pain | Al-Orobah | Undisclosed | 8 July 2023 |
| 99 | FW | Aleksandar Prijović | Unattached | Mutual contract termination | 27 September 2023 |

### Contract extensions

| No. | Name | Position | Duration | Date | Notes |
| 21 | Sebastian Pasquali | Central midfielder | 1 year | 31 May 2023 | |
| 49 | Jake Najdovski | Striker | 2 years | 22 September 2023 | Contract extended from end of 2023–24 until end of 2025–26. |
| 6 | Tomoki Imai | Central defender | 2 years | 6 October 2023 | Contract extended from end of 2023–24 until end of 2025–26. |
| 39 | Matthew Grimaldi | Attacking midfielder | 3 years | 12 April 2024 | New contract replacing previous contract until end of 2026–27. |

## Pre-season and friendlies

Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

## Competitions
### Overall record

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| A-League Men | 21 October 2023 | 28 April 2024 | Matchday 1 | 11th | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 36 | 55 | −19 | 025.93 |
| Australia Cup | 9 August 2023 | 17 September 2023 | Round of 32 | Quarter-finals | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 066.67 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 42 | 58 | −16 | 030.00 |
Last updated: 28 April 2024 Source: Soccerway

### A-League Men
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 8 | Adelaide United | 27 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 52 | 53 | −1 | 32 | |
| 9 | Brisbane Roar | 27 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 42 | 55 | −13 | 30 | Qualification for 2024 Australia Cup play-offs |
| 10 | Newcastle Jets | 27 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 28 | Qualification for 2024 Australia Cup play-offs |
| 11 | Western United | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 36 | 55 | −19 | 26 | Qualification for 2024 Australia Cup play-offs |
| 12 | Perth Glory | 27 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 69 | −23 | 22 | Qualification for 2024 Australia Cup play-offs |

#### Results summary

Away figures include Western United's 3–3 draw on neutral ground against Macarthur FC on 12 January 2024.
| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 28 April 2024. Source: Ultimate A-League

#### Results by round

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

#### Matches

Win  Draw  Loss

### Australia Cup

Win  Draw  Loss

## Statistics
### Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.
    As of 28 April 2024
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Player | A-League Men | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Australia Cup | Total | Total |
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | | Tom Heward-Belle | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | | James Donachie | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| 6 | DF | | Tomoki Imai | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | | Ramy Najjarine | 2+10 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 8 | FW | | Lachlan Wales | 27 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 30 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | | Michael Ruhs | 17+7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 5 |
| 10 | MF | | Steven Lustica | 13+2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | | Daniel Penha | 20+2 | 7 | 0+1 | 0 | 23 | 7 |
| 13 | FW | | Nikita Rukavytsya | 2+14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 17 | DF | | Ben Garuccio | 23 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| 19 | DF | | Josh Risdon | 21 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 21 | MF | | Sebastian Pasquali | 14+7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | | Kane Vidmar | 12+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | | Connor O'Toole | 0+7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 27 | DF | | Jacob Tratt | 10 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | | Charbel Shamoon | 3+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | | Angus Thurgate | 27 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| 33 | GK | | Matt Sutton | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | | James York | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 35 | FW | | Max Bisetto | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | | Zach Lisolajski | 1+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 37 | FW | | Luke Vickery | 0+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 38 | FW | | Noah Botic | 16+3 | 5 | 1+1 | 1 | 21 | 6 |
| 39 | MF | | Matthew Grimaldi | 10+13 | 5 | 0+2 | 1 | 25 | 6 |
| 41 | FW | | Oliver Lavale | 0+4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 42 | MF | | Rhys Bozinovski | 0+10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 43 | DF | | Khoder Kaddour | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 44 | MF | | Jordan Lauton | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 45 | FW | | Abel Walatee | 0+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 49 | FW | | Jake Najdovski | 0+6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 77 | MF | | Riku Danzaki | 14+6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 2 |

### 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.
    As of 28 April 2024
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League Men | A-League Men | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Australia Cup | Australia Cup | Total | Total | Total |
| 1 | 6 | DF | | Tomoki Imai | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | DF | | James Donachie | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 19 | DF | | Josh Risdon | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 9 | FW | | Michael Ruhs | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 10 | MF | | Steven Lustica | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 17 | DF | | Ben Garuccio | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 39 | MF | | Matthew Grimaldi | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 8 | FW | | Lachlan Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 11 | MF | | Daniel Penha | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 21 | MF | | Sebastian Pasquali | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 32 | MF | | Angus Thurgate | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | 22 | DF | | Kane Vidmar | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | 27 | DF | | Jacob Tratt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 24 | DF | | Connor O'Toole | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 29 | DF | | Charbel Shamoon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 42 | MF | | Rhys Bozinovski | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 49 | FW | | Jake Nadjovski | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 77 | MF | | Riku Danzaki | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 56 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 2 |

### 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 and end of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.
    As of 28 April 2024
| Rank | No. | Nat. | Goalkeeper | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Total |
| 1 | 1 | | Tom Heward-Belle | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | 33 | | Matt Sutton | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 2 | 2 | 4 |