Season preview: Women’s Premier and State League teams ready for battle
WITH the region’s top women’s teams set to kick off, Addy soccer guru Tonci Prusac takes an in-depth look at how the teams are shaping ahead of a new campaign.
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WITH the region’s top women’s teams set to kick off, Addy soccer guru Tonci Prusac takes an in-depth look at how the teams are shaping ahead of a new campaign.
VICTORIAN PREMIER LEAGUE WOMEN
GEELONG GALAXY
ARRIVALS
Aya Seino (Japan)
Stephany Estrada (USA)
Shianne Rosselli (USA)
Sasha Lypiridis (South Melbourne)
Anna Duong (Eltham Redbacks)
Melissa Melgugliara (Melbourne Knights)
Lauren Fisher (Melbourne Knights)
Isabella Arredondo (Keilor Park)
DEPARTURES
Emily Sutcliffe (Boroondara Eagles, NPLW)
Christie Merry (Boroondara Eagles, NPLW)
COACH SAYS:
“I think it will be tough, everyone in the league has recruited well. I have even heard that a couple of the teams (in the VPLW) are training up to three days a week. Galaxy will be very competitive, we will make it very hard for teams to come and play at our home ground,” John Diaz said.
ADDY SAYS:
Galaxy finished in 7th spot last year in the VPLW. The top three teams were all promoted to the newly expanded NPLW division, with no teams relegated. Simply by that, one would assume Galaxy would have to be among the top four teams this year. Not so, however, as it is going to be an even tougher competition with the arrival of the ambitious Brunswick Juventus from State 1. Losing someone of the calibre of ex-captain Emily Sutcliffe is going to hurt Galaxy’s chances. A great deal will depend on the new imports. Expect a battle and a mid table finish at best
PREDICTION: 5th
STATE LEAGUE 1
NORTH GEELONG WARRIORS
ARRIVALS
Tea Karlovic (Melbourne Knights)
Rani Mamootil (Geelong Galaxy)
Evie Bonniwell (Point Cook Jets)
Amanda Dzjakic (Promoted from Reserves)
Bailey Gait (Promoted from Reserves)
Chanel Simovic (Promoted from Reserves)
Julia Akmacic (Promoted from Reserves)
Maeve McKenna (Promoted from Reserves)
Maja Pehar (Promoted from Reserves)
Milla Parkin (Promoted from Reserves)
Rosie Skerratt (Promoted from Reserves)
DEPARTURES
Deryal Aziz (Work Commitments)
Jadranka Erceg (Family Commitments)
COACH SAYS:
“We are currently into year 6 of our 10-year strategy. We have a promising balance of youth and experienced players who will contribute each week toward our overall program objectives. Essentially all positions will be up for grabs this season and our girls are determined to take the next challenge for promotion as well as enjoy the season. We will continue to promote our youth and provide a proven pathway to senior women’s football. We also look forward to the local derbies during the year, it will be great to have LUFC in the same league this season,” co-coach Ahmad Sulaimi said.
ADDY SAYS:
Finishing in a credible 5th position, after earning a ‘double promotion’ from State 3, the Warriors were more than competitive in State 1 last year. New co-coaches Ahmad Suleimi and Michael Anderson were a part of last year’s coaching crew and know the girls well. With the blend of new recruits and the exciting young talent promoted from the reserves, the Warriors can expect to be among the contenders for the title this year. Youth does breed inconsistency, however, so a lot will depend on the team’s more experienced players to lead by example.
PREDICTION: 2nd
LARA UNITED
ARRIVALS
Rachael Zahra (Geelong Rangers)
Penelope Sebastian (Golden Plains)
Annelise Hook (Promoted from Juniors)
Scarlett Bone (Promoted from Juniors)
Amanda Hey (Promoted from local league squad)
Claire Dew (Promoted from local league squad)
DEPARTURES
Ella-Jane Riley (Relocated to India)
Daisy Sanders (Pregnancy)
COACH SAYS:
“We’re so proud of what we achieved last season, but we are also well aware that the current structure of State League 1 has made last season a stepping stone for more success this year. We have only lost a small number of players in the off-season and look to be improving every week which is something we don’t take for granted, as it’s normally so easy to become complacent after a successful year. We’ll take it one week at a time again, but have high aspirations,” Ryan Horrocks said.
ADDY SAYS:
The new kids on the block. Having gained promotion after an undefeated season in State 2 last year, Ryan Horrocks will be keen to prepare his charges for the rigours of State 1 football. Apart from playing in the higher grade, the prospect of a local derby against fellow Lara based club, North Geelong Warriors, should have Lara’s players supremely motivated to perform well in their first year in the higher division. The return of Rachael Zahra from the title winning Geelong Rangers team in State 3 could hold the key to success, although the loss of Ella-Jane Riley will surely be felt.
PREDICTION: 5th
STATE LEAGUE 2
GEELONG RANGERS
ARRIVALS
Chelsea Bickerton (Fitzroy City)
DEPARTURES
Kate Mills (Retuning to local league)
Rachael Zahra (Lara United)
Taylor Zito (Bell Park)
Lily Stein (Taking year off)
DEPARTURES
Nil
COACH SAYS
“The team will continue to build on the successes of last season. I expect that we will be competitive within SL2, we have a talented group of players and the ability to not only establish ourselves within the league but continue to push to see how far we can go. Whilst we have had some significant but not unexpected departures, as we start this season, we have are left with a competitive squad and hoping that we can finalise potential signings in the next week. In summary, we expect a challenging and competitive season ahead with plenty of similar style teams to us in this league, we will need to stay disciplined and focused to make an impact,” co-coach Tony Horrocks said.
ADDY SAYS:
The Rangers swept everything before them in their first season at State League level, after years of total domination in the local Geelong league. The undefeated champions convincingly captured the title with 16 wins from 18 matches and will be looking to dominate the State 2 competition this year. There is not much of a gap between the two divisions so it is expected that the ‘Gers will be fighting for a second consecutive promotion, come the season’s culmination in late August. However, the players will need to put in the hard yards all season long and a single lapse in concentration could cost them the title run. Won’t be easy, expect a right royal battle for promotion.
PREDICTION: 3rd
Originally published as Season preview: Women’s Premier and State League teams ready for battle
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