THUNDER ANALYSIS: Breaking down the women’s FQPL squad

The Thunder women are primed for a big 2022 FQPL campaign with that mixes youth with W-League and Matildas experience. Read up on the squad and what every player brings to the team.

Ebonney Kidd takes on her Mitchelton Sports Club opponent. Kidd is back with the South West Queensland Thunder after a stint with Willowburn FC.

The South West Queensland Thunder have an eye on the future, but at the same time they’re confident they can be an FQPL force this season.

Working alongside the club’s junior coaches, women’s coach Mick Turvey has selected a youthful squad with several 16 and 17 year olds earning the opportunity to line up in the club’s senior side.

“After taking over from David (Park-Ballay) toward the end of last I tried to bring some younger players through to give them some first team experience – we haven’t had that happen for a little while,” Turvey said.

“Our older players have served the club well for a number of years, but I think it’s important to bring our young players through.

“It’s about creating more opportunities and it creates healthy competition in the squad – the younger players want a starting spot and the established players have to prove they’re worthy.

“We have our 18 (player squad) but there’s up to 25 (players) that we could have in the squad.”

Fitness has been an issue in the past for Thunder women’s teams but the healthy mix of youth and veteran experience has the squad primed for a big season.

“It’s an exciting time for this team and the club. If we play to our potential I think we’re a top four side,” Turvey said.

“We’ve got a good mix of young confident players coming through the ranks and that veteran experience in players like Lana (Harch), Jorde (Franke) and Lauren (Spreadborough).

“We’re learning something from every (training) session and game.

“In the past our fitness has been an issue with the side falling off the pace late in games.

“We’ve been working hard with The Fit Lab in the off-season and we’re closer to a 70-80 minute team.

“I think we’re going to shake a few teams this year if we play to our potential.”

Mcailah Broadfoot (left). Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mcailah Broadfoot: “A young striker who makes good runs and is aggressive in front of goal. Mcailah is progressing quickly due to her willingness to listen to and learn from older players.”

Sally Carroll: A great find from Chinchilla for the club. Sally likes to get forward from the midfield and offers a real spark.”

Macey Eiser: “An aggressive fullback who also likes to get forward in attack and links well with the players around her.”

Casey Evans (left) Picture: Nev Madsen

Casey Evans: “Casey is looking really fit as she returns from a knee injury. On her day she’s one of our best players because of her ability to fit in just about anywhere on the field.

Hannah Evans. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hannah Evans: A tall, strong striker who gets into the 18-yard well – I think she’s among the best (attackers) in the competition.

Sunshine Coast Wanderers Raelle Avery (left) and South West Queensland Thunder captain Jordan Franke. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jordan Franke (co-captain): “Jorde is a warhorse – one of our veteran players. She plays the holding midfield role really well, is strong on the ball and a real leader.”

Jessica Fry: “A firey midfield/striker. She likes to get forward as much as possible and has some real pace down the flanks.

Jess Fry. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Lana Harch: “I coached Lana here (in Toowoomba) before she eventually left to join the QAS. She’s a great pick up for us. She played more than 20 games for the Brisbane Roar in the W-League and was W-League player of the year in the 2008/09 season. She also played 24 games for the Matildas as well. She has a lot to give to the side in terms of her ability upfront and her experience – the girls listen to her and her coming back to Toowoomba is great for us.”

Chloe Hutton: “Chloe is coming back from a knee injury and has the potential to be one of the top five attackers in the competition.

Ebonney Kidd: “Another player who has come back to us after a good stint with Willowburn. She scored a lot of goals in the Toowoomba competition and has a lot of experience.”

Justeen Kruger: “Justeen has a big set of gloves to fill following the departure of Elizabeth Hollitt. She is a really good keeper and will help lock up our defence.”

Claudia Maiore (left). Picture: Kevin Farmer

Claudia Maiore: “Back with us after some time with Willowburn in the Toowoomba competition. An exciting right fullback or central defender who is strong and confident on the ball.”

Lucy Major. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lucy Major: “Like Jorde (Franke) she can play just about anywhere on the field. Really patient for a 16-year-old and holds herself well on the field.”

Bre McCarthy (left). Picture: Nev Madsen.

Bre McCarthy: “One of senior players. Bre is a strong defender who loves to tackle. You know you’ve been in a game when you’ve matched up with her.”

Ashlee Parravicini: “One of our rising stars from last season. Ashlee should form a great combination with Lauren (Spreadborough) in defence. She’s strong on the ball and few players will get around her this season.”

Chantelle Sharp: “A fast striker who loves to shoot. She’s small but strong and will always fight for possession.”

Lauren Spreadborough. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lauren Spreadborough (co-captain): “A great defender and communicator from the back. She’s brings a lot to the team with her experience and skill.”

Sienna Williams: “Can play on the flanks or in the middle. A very creative player who always seems to be able to make space for herself on the ball and creates plenty of opportunities.