It's Sydney FC versus the world.
At least, that's how the A-League Women season is shaping up.
Ante Juric's charges, fresh off a premiership-championship double, are clearly the hunted.
Sydney have also lost key players Mackenzie Hawkesby, Sarah Hunter and Charlie Rule to overseas moves.
Now there are 11 clubs, with Central Coast joining the party, chasing the ALW top dogs - and Melbourne's three contenders are leading the charge.
"Of course after winning the double last year, everyone wants to hunt Sydney FC down," Melbourne City's star winger Holly McNamara told AAP.
"But it's a new season, even they've got a new group - a lot of players have left.
"So it'll be good to see what we can bring to the table.
"We're hungrier than ever. We've got that motivation from falling short last year
"So hopefully we can put it into practice and put a few good scores on the pitch."
Western United made a splash in their debut season, but finished second on the ladder to Sydney and lost to them in the grand final.
"Last year is over and I think we'll just try and do as best as we can this year to hopefully go one better," defender Alana Cerne told AAP.
"We had a great season last year and everyone wants to back it up but I think we'll just try this game by game - and definitely we'll be getting Sydney back."
Melbourne Victory coach Jeff Hopkins has overhauled his squad after a semi-final exit.
Victory have signed Matildas veterans Lydia Williams and Emily Gielnik and lured talented up-and-comers Rachel Lowe and Jamilla Rankin.
"Certainly this team wants to win," Rankin said.
"We want to be at the top of the table and we've got the quality to be there."
The likes of McNamara, who attended the 2022 Asian Cup, and young Matildas Cerne and Rankin will all hope a good start can catapult them into Matildas calculations.
The big reward: a potential berth at Paris in 2024.
"An Olympic Games is something that is definitely on my goals list," McNamara said.
"If you ask every Australian player in the league they're gonna be trying to aim for Matildas.
"So for me personally, that's one of my goals within the next year.
"But at the moment I just want to have fun and get more minutes and see where that takes me."
A-LEAGUE WOMEN ROUND ONE (ALL TIMES AEDT)
* Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets, 5pm Saturday at Industree Group Stadium
* Sydney FC v Western Sydney, 7.45pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium
* Perth Glory v Western United, 10pm Saturday at Macedonia Park
* Wellington v Melbourne City, 1pm Sunday at Sky Stadium
* Adelaide United v Canberra United, 3pm Sunday at Coopers Stadium
* Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar, 4pm Sunday at Home of the Matildas
