Impetus’ Ryan Miller Woods, Ben Gilby, and Jamie Spangher report on four media conferences from A-League Women’s clubs ahead of round eight (14/12/23).
Adelaide United
by Jamie Spangher
“This is actually happening.” At 15 years and 54 days old, Miley Grigg became the youngest player to debut for Adelaide United across both the men’s and women’s game. The last week has been a whirlwind for Grigg, the 15 year-old having only put pen to paper in Adelaide just last week.
Grigg spoke on her historic week, describing to the media just how it all panned out. “Crazy week, I definitely didn’t expect it, it all happened so quickly. I was training and then afterwards got an email saying that I’m signed and then a couple days later said that I might be benching or on the emergency list. Then, the emails came out and I was on the emergency list, then I got moved to be playing on the bench and I couldn’t believe it.”
If signing her first professional contract only to be included in the matchday squad just days later wasn’t achievement enough, Adelaide United manager Adrian Senta told Grigg to lace up in last Saturday’s clash with Western United.
Grigg said, “It took a while for it to click in, that I was where I was. Then when Michele said to me that I’m going on in ten to fifteen minutes it was like, this is actually happening.”
“Sents (Adrian Senta) just told me he wanted 20-25 minutes of just all the energy I have and just to press when I can and go and go.”
2023 has been a catalyst year in Grigg’s career, having also made her first squad selection for the Junior Matildas, proving that she is one to watch. Having been described as an endurant box-to-box midfielder, it comes as no surprise that Grigg has made her professional breakthrough at only 15. Grigg spoke on what her hopes are going forward with Adelaide United as she progresses throughout this season.
She said, “Hopefully just keep training well, doing what I can to hopefully get on the bench more but it just depends.”
In what has been a remarkable week for Miley Grigg, it can be said with confidence that this is definitely just the beginning for the young midfielder.
Canberra United
by Ryan Miller-Woods
The media heard from Canberra United head coach Njegosh Popovich and recently announced signing Sarah Clark ahead of United’s upcoming match against Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
Canberra will hope the signing of Clark, a defender from North Courage in the NWSL, can shore up the backline with her experience and help the club prevent the number of goals conceded out on the pitch.
When asked more about her, Popovich said, “Sarah comes to us at a very good time. She’s a player that defensively adds a lot of value to us as well but in saying that, she has the ability to go forward and look for a longer pass.”
Canberra had their best performance of the season last round against Brisbane Roar where star player and the most in-form player in the league Vesna Milivojevic put on a masterclass that included a hat-trick, as well as leading the A-League Women’s Golden Boot come the end of the round with eight goals.
Unfortunately, her afternoon came to an abrupt halt in the 75th minute when she was clutching her knee which many people at the time suspected might have been another ACL injury to a player in the league.
When asked about news on her, Popovich provided the best possible update, “Vesna will be travelling with the squad. She’s been cleared from the MRI of any ACL damage which is fantastic, ligaments are all intact. I think it’s just more a case of bone bruising. She’s trained well today.”
Given how Canberra went against the Roar, it’ll provide them with confidence against Victory knowing what they’re capable of with an all-around performance.
When asked what he expects from Victory, Popovich said, “Melbourne Victory are one of the top performers in this country. For us, it’s not going to be an easy challenge, they (Victory) have a few Matildas on their books as well but we just take it one week at a time and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
As for new signing Clark, she’s an important signing for Canberra in terms of their aspirations for finals. If she and the defence can instantaneously click together, that’ll significantly bode well for United as goal differential could be the difference between making the finals or just missing out.
When asked how she has felt she’s slotted in at Canberra so far, Clark said, “Pretty good! I think this team is really welcoming and Gosh (Popovich) said that he really values a family aspect in his team and I can definitely see that here. All the girls are super nice and willing to answer any questions that I have. So it’s been a super easy transition so far.”
Clark’s arrival to Australia joins a very long list of 100+ Americans who have come to the country to play in the A-League Women, which in many cases has allowed players not only consistent game time, but vast opportunities to hone their craft, and most importantly showcase their talent to a wider audience.
When asked about what stood out to her with the opportunity to play in Australia, Clark said, “Obviously, coming to Australia (which is) so far from home but (a) great opportunity for an awesome experience and the A-League (Women) has a really great reputation, a lot of Americans come here in the off-season to play because they know that it’s good quality. So, I was excited when the opportunity came up.”
Central Coast Mariners
by Ryan Miller-Woods
The Mariners will be looking to bounce back against Melbourne City tomorrow night after last week’s 3-0 defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers.
When asked how she was feeling ahead of the match itself, head coach Emily Husband said, “Coming off the back of the Western Sydney Wanderers’ result, obviously we had a fair bit to get back on the pitch and work on but at the same time, every single game is a new game and it’s another challenge and we’re 100% ready for this challenge.”
When asked what she is expecting from City, Husband said, “Everyone knows that they’re a quality side, they play some really good football. So, no doubt they’re going to be a threat, it’s up to us to make sure that we come in disciplined, to do our job, to work hard, and get the result.”
Despite the defeat against the Wanderers, one player who had a very respectable debut in the A-League Women was midfielder Tess Quilligan who will be looking to continue from where she had left off in tomorrow night’s match.
Reflecting on her debut, Quilligan said: “I think I did pretty well. (There is) definitely stuff that I can improve on but it was my first game and it’s a good start for me.”
From this season’s Central Coast squad, Quilligan as well as Annabel Martin, Bianca Galic, and Taren King came from Sydney University in the NPLW NSW and were also coached by Emily Husband during the most recent season.
When asked how she has felt transiting into the A-League Women with a familiar face like Husband being the Head Coach, Quilligan said, “It was good that she (Husband) was with me at Uni (Sydney University), so I kind of knew how she would like to play and I guess (that) it makes it easier for me to come into the team.”
Perth Glory
by Ben Gilby
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis goes into Sunday’s huge encounter with Sydney FC with a fully fit squad, and one which is riding the crest of a wave after winning at Melbourne City in the battle of the A-League Women’s top two last weekend.
Reflecting on last week’s performance and result, the Glory boss said: “We had to acknowledge what we did well in that performance and how important that result was for us, as it’s huge. When you go away to Melbourne City and you play the way we did that’s a huge confidence boost, and for the players who contributed to that. It’s a performance we can hold in high regard, and it’s going to really set the platform for what I want us to achieve in the coming weeks.”
The result was achieved despite Perth having less possession and far fewer attempts on goal – plus a number of regular starters missing due to a mixture of coming back from international duty and, in the case of Claudia Mihocic, a concussion protocol. Once more, the strength in depth that the Western Australian side have this season was underlined, along with the team ethic and spirit.
“There were three or four players who didn’t start who were the spine in key positions in all the matches leading up to that fixture against City, and all the players who came in did a sensational job and contributed to the performance and to the outcome. The internal competition is strong. I have to make these decisions (about team selection this week) and make these assessments, (but) I have clarity.
“The squad is very aware that we have strength in depth and it has been a key part of our success. We have great players here who are all contributing to a common goal. They respect that and we make decisions based on what it is for that weekend, but everyone is open-minded to putting their best foot forward to contribute.”
Sunday’s home game with reigning A-League Women premiers Sydney FC presents another major test. The Harbour City side also boasts a five-match winning streak against the Glory. Yet Epakis believes that, despite the experience in the Sydney side and their capabilities, this season Perth are more than capable of getting a result against Ante Juric’s side.
“It’s another opportunity for us to play against a big team and a successful team and we are ready to compete with anyone. We are aware that if we play and perform at our level, then we give ourselves every opportunity to get a result. We are aware of what their strengths are, they have some Matildas in that team, and past Matildas, future Matildas. We are coming up against a very good squad and a very well-coached team. We need to make sure we’re performing at our level, at the level of our last game.
“This run of games that we’re in, stretching back to (Melbourne) Victory, (Wellington) Phoenix, (Melbourne) City, then Sydney, and Western (United), I knew we’d really see what type of group we are, what character we have, what resilience we have, what quality we have, and I think we’re starting to see that we are a serious outfit our selves and we can beat the best. That internal belief is really strong.”
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