Our Roar Women are preparing for a return to Westfield W-League action this Sunday in a crucial away trip to Perth Glory.
After a bye in Round 11 and the international break, it will be a month to the day since the side’s last outing – a scoreless draw away to Sydney FC.
With a solid “mini off-season” under their belts & a host of internationals returning from Westfield Matildas duty, Head Coach Jake Goodship feels that his squad are well prepared for the furthest away day in the competition.”
“We’ve been busy in the four-week mini offseason, preparing the players that weren’t with international team,” Goodship said.
“We’ve had a good amount of time to work hard on the training pitch. We’ve had a few games, looked after players as individuals and it’s been really positive.”
With only three games to go in the season, every game is crucial for the Roar who currently sit three points outside the top four.
Goodship is expecting a tough challenge from Perth, but is confident that his side has what it takes to secure what would be a crucial win.
“They [Perth Glory] know if they win, it derails our finals push. They’re going all out, they’ve got nothing to lose, they’ve got some good players,” Goodship continued.
“Every game is tough but we thrive off tough games.
“We’ve kept two clean sheets against two of arguably the best teams in the league in Sydney [FC] and Western Sydney. We’re going in with full confidence.
“Whoever plays out of the squad of 24 players that we have, they have got full backing from staff. We go into it with confidence.”
There appears to be plenty of hunger to return to Westfield W-League action, with that desire summed up by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
After wrapping up her international duty on Thursday night in Sydney, Arnold flew back first thing Friday morning to join in on the Matchday -2 session.
“That sets the tone of the culture that we have and the environment that we’ve set this season, where players are willing to fly back early-morning from international commitments and get straight into training.
“It’s fantastic seeing players like Mackenzie come straight back in.”
Also in contention to play against the Glory is new signing Shea Connor, who scored 25 goals in 15 games for Logan Lightning in the NPLW Queensland last year.
“We’ve got a fantastic relationship with Nick Croydon at Logan Lightning and we discussed the possibility [of signing Shea Connors] – it got it down straight away,” Goodship added.
“It’s credit to the relationship we have with our local community NPL clubs.
Also in contention to return to action is teenager Indiah-Paige Riley, who was absent in the two most recent fixtures.
“It’s fantastic having Indi back. She goes under the radar but what she offers in terms of work rate is unbelievable. She’s a welcomed inclusion into the 17-player squad and hopefully we’ll see her play.”
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2019/20 – Round 12: Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Sunday, 16 February (2:30 pm KO QLD time)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Arianna ROMERO, 7.CELIA, 8.Morgan ANDREWS, 9.Crystal THOMAS, 10.Julia SARDO, 11.Leticia McKENNA, 13.Jamie-Lee GALE, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 16.Isabella WALLHEAD, 19.Hana LOWRY, 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 24.Natasha RIGBY (c), 28.Katarina JUKIC **one to be omitted**
Ins: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk) (returns from injury), 10.Julia SARDO (promted)
Outs: 31.Ruby JONES (gk) (omitted)
Unavailable: Nil
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Carson PICKETT, 3.Celeste BOUREILLE, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Shea CONNORS, 6.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 7.Indiah-Paige RILEY, 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY 9.Rylee BAISDEN, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 13.Tameka YALLOP, 18.Leah DAVIDSON, 19.Hollie PALMER, 20.Georgina WORTH (gk), 21.Winonah HEATLEY, 22.Anna MARGRAF, 23.Isobel DALTON **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Shea CONNORS (new signing), 7.Indiah-Paige RILEY (promoted), 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY (promoted), 21.Winonah HEATLEY (promoted)
Outs: 10.Katrina GORRY (suspended – 1 week), 12.Allira TOBY (unavailable)
Unavailable: Nil
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Assistant Referee 1: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Assistant Referee 2: Adrien Liechti
Fourth Official: Shane Skinner
