By Kieran Yap (28/11/23).
Above: Grace Maher (middle) with Chloe Logarzo (L) and Jaclyn Sawicki (R) Photo: Western United.
Western United established themselves as one of the competition’s benchmarks last season, but Mark Torcaso’s side was not prepared to stand still. This year they announced the arrival of Grace Maher in one of the statement coups of the pre-season.
Maher is the thinking fan’s favourite footballer. A player who’s technique and elegance with the ball sometimes overshadows a fierce competitiveness and athleticism. She joined after three consecutive seasons with Canberra United and returns to Victoria after spending 2019/20 with Melbourne Victory.
“I was very excited to come back to Melbourne,” she said to Impetus. “Every time we played away here with Canberra I always wanted to stay longer. It’s nice being back and visiting some old places like my favourite café’s that I used to go to pre-covid, and just being able to enjoy a bigger city. There’s a little bit more going on here, so that’s been nice.”
Maher joined Western United after a strong and perhaps transformational season with Canberra United. She began 2022/23 in her usual midfield position before moving into defence. From there she was able to start play and ignite some of Canberra’s counter-attacks.
“The back end of last season was so enjoyable, not only for me personally but for the whole team. Canberra went seven games undefeated and played some really good stuff. For me, it was gut-wrenching to miss out on finals when we could have had so much control over it. We literally pushed to the final whistle.
“I usually see through seasons and we have plenty of time in the off-season to decide what’s best, and I think for me personally what Western were trying to achieve and build on from their inaugural season rally spoke to me. I really thought I could be a part of that.
“I think I needed a bit of an environment change. There’s a lot of incredible things at Canberra, and I’m so emotionally attached to the fans and the people so it was a really hard decision.
“There was part of me that didn’t want to move but I also knew for my career and what was best for my football at the time it was important that I took on a new challenge and a bit of a risk.”
Her new role is one that Western United needed filling and Maher has ably replaced Sidney Cummings in the heart of defence next to Alana Cerne. After almost a decade as a midfielder, the change in position is something she is still learning, and it required different preparation and mindset.
“I laugh with the midfielders about it. I always got a lot more nervous about my physical preparation when I was playing in midfield. “The demands of midfield (are different). You don’t run to halfway and then rest. It’s hard.
“Centre back might me more physically imposing, but it’s not as taxing. So there is a different prep. I’m a lot more mentally fatigued playing at centre back because I’m constantly communicating and assessing things or needing to tactically adjust things for the girls because I can see the field which is something that I have the capacity to do.
“I’ve always analysed opposition players, but for me, a big preparation difference is assessing the striker that I’m going to be playing on because there are some very different strikers in this league with their attributes. Having that matchup battle rather than three different midfielders at all times has been a welcome change for me to learn.”
Western United were known as a defensive team last season, but a look at their backfour indicates a focus on attacking from deep. Maher is usually joined by Cerne, Stacie Papadopoulos, and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic across the backline. All four players forged their reputations as attacking or creative players, and are now using that experience in defence while using their composure and ability with the ball to start play or maintain possession.
“All four of us… we all want to get forward and it does help. TJ and Stacie love getting forward and joining in the attack. We feel very comfortable when they do, and we’ve got great midfielders that cover that.
“It’s not a frantic dash back if I or Alana steps in, we’re both comfortable to play that role. There’s definitely lots of advantages of having players who have played in those attacking positions.”
In past seasons, Maher was a regular nominee for goal of the week. Is making the highlight reel something that she misses?
“Absolutely!” she says without hesitation. “It’s hard. I’m telling everyone, ‘Don’t score the goal go down and get me a free kick!’
“It is something in my game that I always look for. Especially now that a lot of keepers are aware that I can do that, the chances won’t come so easy. Where I can contribute I will and if the moment calls for it on a windy day at our new facility I won’t be afraid to have a shot.”
Maher’s signature was a sign of Western United’s continued ambition. It is an increasingly star-studded squad with Chloe Logarzo, Hillary Beall and Hannah Keane all returning. The addition of Catherine Zimmerman from crosstown rivals Victory a has established Western as a destination club. Maher says that the reputation is well deserved.
“What we’ve seen with not only the newer clubs but the clubs that have been establishing themselves physically with a home. I’ve found that the women’s side is really held equally to the men’s. Obviously, in Canberra we don’t have that but at Victory (in 2019) it didn’t quite feel like that.
“You know that the people behind the closed doors that perhaps the media don’t see, theres a real connection from the men’s coach to the volunteers.
“The club is really respectful. They value the players opinions as well, so I just felt that it aligned with a lot of who I am as a person and suited where I wanted to be from a lifestyle perspective as well. It’s been really positive.”
One of the attractions was the opportunity to work with Mark Torcaso. After one season in the A-League Women’s the former Calder United manager has become one of the top coaches in Australia and was sought out to take charge of The Philippines national team.
Maher lauded her new manager for his ability to build relationships with his players and collaborate with assistants. When she signed with Western, the expectations about her role in the team were made clear, and it was something that she appreciates.
“In all honesty, the things that attracted me most to work under Mark is the transparency and honesty.
“As a player that has come through as a junior in this league who is now in her 10th season. I don’t do well with dishonesty and avoidance of the truth. I really enjoy just being told how it is.
“That was the same with me coming to be a centre back. He needed that position and that was the spot that was open. They weren’t just going to take me because of my name or reputation. They really wanted the role filled.
“Expectation management, the honesty, and just the way he treats people like humans and adults has been really appreciated in this stage in my career.”
Maher is growing into her role at a new club, and like most sides, Western United have found clean sheets hard to come by. But they have defended well in most games, with Maher particularly happy with how they performed against Brisbane and in the win against Melbourne Victory’s star-studded attack.
There is one match-up that neutrals have circled in their fixtures. In Round 10, Maher returns to face the club where she no doubt remains a fan favourite. When Western United play Canberra United on the 30th January, she will be up against her former teammate, and the league’s greatest forward Michelle Heyman.
“Absolutely!” she says when asked if she is excited to face Heyman. It was funny thinking just on the weekend, the Brisbane striker is a very good player. Our team in front of us did a very good job of not letting her get the service she wanted.
“Strikers are all very different…I’m very familiar with Michelle’s game. She’s one of the best strikers for a reason. I’m sure we’ll have a good laugh on the field but its going to be both of us of wanting to get one over the other.”
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