Women’s National Premier Leagues SA soccer season set for kick-off
Back-to-back double-winner Adelaide City is the team to beat, but who else will challenge for the Women’s NPL SA soccer title this season? Your complete guide to the new campaign kicks off here.
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Back-to-back double-winner Adelaide City has sent an ominous warning to its rivals, adding depth and quality to its already star-studded squad as it chases a rare hat-trick.
The Black and Whites swept all before them for the second-straight year in 2018 to triumph in the Women’s National Premier Leagues SA grand final and Premier Cup decider.
Midfielder Dylan Holmes said bringing in more W-League experience, plus some of the state’s best young talent, demonstrated City’s hunger ahead of Friday night’s season kick-off.
“I think we thrive on pressure,” said Holmes, an ever-present for Adelaide United in the national competition this past summer.
“We know how to handle that expectation and at the same time, we want to win more.
“This group at City is really, really special.
“It would be unbelievable to do it for the third year in-a-row and we’re not going to stop until we do.”
New coach Andrew Calderbank had re-signed Reds winger Isabel Hodgson from US college East Tennessee State and ex-United midfielder Nora Peat (Sydney University).
Teenage centre back Mikayla Vidmar would follow in the footsteps of her father and former Socceroo, Tony Vidmar, in pulling on the Black and Whites’ shirt.
Last year’s minor premier Metro United had opted for youth to replace seasoned personnel, as it looked to avenge its championship-decider defeat under incoming mentor Tony Scalzi.
Youngsters Olivia Beer (Football Federation SA NTC) and Hunter Strudwick (Campbelltown City) would battle it out for a starting spot after goalkeeper Kelly Barltrop left.
Promising winger Millie Scott had also impressed during pre-season in the absence of departed 15-goal striker Racheal Quigley.
“We played so well throughout last season, but going into that grand final we were just a little bit flat,” Metro captain Stella Rigon said.
“We’ve had some new young girls come through for this season, who will add a totally different dynamic along with a new coaching staff.
“We’re always confident going into the season that the players we have on the park can get the job done.”
Beaten preliminary finalist West Adelaide had retained the bulk of its squad and would again pin its hopes on Adelaide United duo Sarah Willacy and Emily Hodgson.
FFSA NTC would look to the likes of Reds rising star Lara Kirkby to fire its title challenge under new coach Michele Lastella, after clinching a playoff spot last campaign.
Newly-promoted Adelaide Comets would have their work cut out in their top-flight debut.
But skipper Georgia Johnson said her teammates were ready for the challenge, having stormed to the State League championship with just one defeat.
“To get promoted was an awesome feeling for the club,” Johnson, 27, said.
“We realise how big the step-up is and we’re working hard to meet the standard.
“We’re just hoping to be competitive and I think we will be.”
Recruiting six young guns from FFSA NTC, including defender Georgia Iannella and reigning goalkeeper of the year Evelyn Goldsmith, had boosted Adelaide University’s finals bid.
Fulham United scraped through a relegation playoff last season, but had added Harriet Burnett (West) and Hannah Jenkin (University) to compliment Brisbane defender Jenna McCormick.
Salisbury Inter goalkeeper Sian McLaren said a maiden top-four finish was the target for the northern suburbs outfit, which had signed one-cap Matilda Emily Condon.
“We’ve been on a journey so far,” said McLaren, ahead of her side’s third top-tier season.
“We definitely gave teams a run for their money last year, we just lacked that consistency.
“But we’ve had quite a few girls come across this year that have a good history in the game and they’re going to bring a lot of maturity and experience to our team.”
All four round-one matches will be played at the Parks, Angle Park, to coincide with International Women’s Day celebrations.
ADELAIDE CITY
Last season: Champion
Coach: Andrew Calderbank (new)
Captain: Tiarn Powell
In: Isabel Hodgson (East Tennessee State University, US), Natalie Frantzis, Alana Spirou, Mikayla Vidmar (FFSA NTC), Nora Peat (Sydney University, NSW), Yuka Sasaki (Japan)
Out: Zafiro Papanikitas (injury)
Key player: Dylan Holmes
Prediction: 1st
ADELAIDE COMETS
Last season: 1st State League
Coach: Tony Mansueto
Captain: Georgia Johnson
In: Rosie Coleman (Stirling Districts), Salma Eid (returning), Georgia Mouzakitis (Adelaide City), Eloise Steer (Urbana University, US), Andrea Stefanopoulos, Aurianne Warley (Adelaide Jaguars), Jasmine Styles, Tessa Touchette (Cumberland), Trinity Tytler-Kelly (Campbelltown), Hannah Wall (Woodside Warriors)
Out: Tahlia Eidam, Cassie Mukevski, Helena Ruggiero, Casey Webber (released)
Key player: Elise Garlick
Prediction: 8th
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Last season: 5th
Coach: Kosta Jaric
Captain: Laura Johns
In: Georgia Box, Mabel Day, Evelyn Goldsmith, Georgia Iannella, Gemma Macfarlane, Meleri Mullan (FFSA NTC), Mawa Sumaoro (Comets), Milano Venter (Cumberland)
Out: Ellie Bills (Metro), Lily Bills, Amielia Ebbs, Hannah Jenkin (Fulham), Izzy Czechowicz, Ally Ladas (West Adelaide), Hayley Truskewycz (retired), Eleni Vosnakis (White City)
Key player: Evelyn Goldsmith
Prediction: 3rd
FOOTBALL FEDERATION SA NTC
Last season: 4th
Coach: Michele Lastella (new)
Captain: Zoe Tolland / Ella Tonkin
In: Inana Toovey (Comets)
Out: Olivia Beer, Millie Scott (Metro), Georgia Box, Mabel Day, Evelyn Goldsmith, Georgia Ianella, Gemma Macfarlane (University), Charlotte Grant (Future Matildas), Meleri Mullan (University), Laura Niejelke (Fulham), Aless Raschella (retired), Mikayla Vidmar (Adelaide City), Mackenzie Wegener (Salisbury Inter)
Key player: Lara Kirkby
Prediction: 5th
FULHAM UNITED
Last season: 7th
Coach: John Ebbs
Captain: Natasha Vella
In: Harriet Burnett, Micaela Quinn (West Adelaide), Amielia Ebbs, Hannah Jenkin (University), Caitlin Le Roux, Sharni Tansell (Cumberland), Laura Niejalke (FFSA NTC)
Out: Nil
Key player: Jenna McCormick
Prediction: 7th
METRO UNITED
Last season: Minor premier
Coach: Tony Scalzi (new)
Captain: Stella Rigon
In: Olivia Beer, Millie Scott (FFSA NTC), Ellie Bills (University), Hunter Strudwick (Campbelltown)
Out: Kelly Barltrop (SANFLW), Nicole Calder (Salisbury Inter), Laura Corbo (year off), Racheal Quigley, Kelsey Zafiridis (Bulleen Lions, Victoria)
Key player: Chrissy Panagaris
Prediction: 2nd
SALISBURY INTER
Last season: 6th
Coach: Tracey Jenkins
Captain: Chantelle Ryder
In: Nicole Calder (Metro), Emily Condon (Adelaide United), Mackenzie Wegener (FFSA NTC)
Out: Sky Jensen (South Melbourne, Victoria), Adriana Jones (interstate), Leah Noto (injury), Tamara Wesbroom (retired)
Key player: Emily Condon
Prediction: 6th
WEST ADELAIDE
Last season: 3rd
Coach: Adrian Santrac
Captain: Chrissa Pavlomanolakos
In: Izzy Czechowicz, Ally Lada (University), Abby Touchette (Cumberland)
Out: Harriett Burnett, Micaela Quinn (Fulham), Louise Debone (year off)
Key player: Emily Hodgson
Prediction: 4th
WOMEN’S NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES SA - ROUND ONE
Adelaide City v Football Federation SA NTC, 6.15pm
West Adelaide v Fulham United, 6.15pm
Adelaide University v Metro United, 8.15pm
Adelaide Comets v Salisbury Inter, 8.15pm
All matches at the Parks, Cowan St, Angle Park
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