Impetus had Genevieve Henry and Ryan Miller-Woods in four clubs’ press conferences ahead of Round 18 (1/3/24).
Central Coast Mariners
By Ryan Miller-Woods
The media heard from Central Coast Mariners’ Bianca Galic and Head Coach Emily Husband ahead of their upcoming match against Adelaide United on Sunday.
Central Coast go into Sunday’s match off the back of a great come-from-behind 3-1 win against Perth Glory and know that a win against Adelaide this round could see the Mariners move to as high as third on the A-League Women’s ladder.
A player who has been massively crucial for Central Coast this campaign with the role she’s played in the midfield is Bianca Galic, who last round scored her first goal of the season and just her second goal in the A-League Women.
When asked about the match last round against Perth Glory, Galic said, “last week against Perth (was a) great game in terms of (the) result for us. We definitely needed the win, not just for points but also for confidence. To be on that scoresheet finally is definitely a good feeling and one that I want to keep getting for the girls.”
Last week having been an international break, would have given the Mariners some time to reflect on Perth result and set themselves up for the remaining games of the season to try and maximise as many points as possible with the charge towards dinals.
When asked what training looked like during the international break, Galic said, “definitely felt a little different because we didn’t have a season game to look forward to on the weekend. We did play a friendly in between, (to) sort of get the legs ticking over, but I think it was just important for us to not switch off and think it was a holiday for a week, we did want to keep working towards our goal which is essentially making finals and getting to that grand final.”
The last time that Central Coast played Adelaide in Round Two, they emerged with a 2-1 win thanks to goals by captain Taren King and Wurigumula, the Mariners’ first win in their return campaign. It’ll be an interesting encounter between the two sides as they are different sides to when they faced each other earlier in the season.
When asked about how she sees the matchup between Central Coast and Adelaide this round, Galic said, “Adelaide are a much different team to how we versed them in Round Two and I think we are as well. Definitely, in the last couple of games, our possession has gotten a lot better, our attacking abilities have improved as well and I’m sure (the) same for them. We’re not coming into the game thinking it’s going to be an easy match just because we won against them in the second round. We’re ready for the challenge and we’re not going to drop off.”
The win against Perth was very important and hard-fought for many reasons such as getting one over the Glory from the previous time they’d faced each other in Round Nine which the Mariners lost 2-1, the temperature that both teams played in and to come from behind in the manner that they did, really was highly impressive.
When asked about the match last round against Perth Glory, Husband said, “it was probably one of our best performances of the season so far in the way that we kept the ball, we created so many goalscoring opportunities again which we’re still not quite taking (full advantage of) but that’s football sometimes. Just really proud of the girls, travelling all that way under the conditions and the heat that we had there (in Perth), to pull out one of our best performances, really happy with the group.”
When asked how she and the team spent the international break and what training looked like, Husband said, “we pretty much trained every day straight. It was a tough week for the girls but if we want to make a real crack at this, we’ve got to do everything in our power to make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned. So that’s really what we tried to do and we focused on many elements that sometimes we don’t always get the time to do during a normal game week.”
When asked how she sees the matchup between Central Coast and Adelaide, Husband said, “Adelaide have got into a good run recently and I think they’ll be a completely different team to what we played in Round Two. Likewise, we are as well. We’ve just got to concentrate on the things that we need to do well and keep on the trajectory that we’ve been on as well.”
Sydney FC
By Genevieve Henry
Ahead of the Sydney Derby in the A-League Women, Sydney FC’s American defender Jordan Thompson spoke to the media, saying, “to win any game in this league is a big deal.”
3rd placed Sydney FC will face 7th placed Western Sydney Wanderers in their second match-up of the season, with the first comfortably going Sydney’s way in Round One. Western Sydney will be no easy task, however, having beaten some of the best teams in the competition recently. Thompson commented on the difficulty Sydney are expecting from their rivals, saying “we know that they’re a really amazing team, so we have to come out and be ready for a fight.”
With a week off in between games due to the international break, Sydney Fc are experiencing their first real calm period in the season, allowing them to focus on their goals for the season. The players are being pushed extra hard in training in order to maintain their competitive spirit within the competition. “I think we’re always dangerous”, Thompson commented with a laugh when asked about the importance of this refreshing period, but continued, “I think having fresh legs is a huge advantage.” For Sydney, fitness has played a huge role in their season thus far, and they will want to make sure they can finish the season strong.
Sydney has high expectations surrounding them, from the media and the fans, but Thomspon said none is more important than internal pressure. Each player and staff member have been putting in the extra effort to improve come the end of the season. In training, players are working to improve their games by “making sure that (they’re) always locked in.” Lapses of concentration, alongside the inability to finish, have been the Sky Blues’ Achilles heel this season, according to Thompson. She commented on this lack of goals, saying, “it’s just the game.” She feels that the important factor is that Sydney are creating the chances, and feels full of confidence that the goals will come.
Having a squad filled with players who know how to win a championship gives Sydney not only confidence, but extra pressure. “It’s always demanding the most out of each other.” Thomson talked about the importance of leaning on their veterans during tough moments and believing that they will carry them through. Thompson spoke about the importance of not only these players, but the full squad. “Our entire squad is really, really talented.”
A boost for Sydney comes in the form of the returning Shea Connors, Thomspon’s compatriot from the States. Connors has spent a large chunk of the season sidelined by injury, but having an out-and-out number nine could be a major factor in Sydney’s quest for goals. Thompson emphasised how good it will be to have her speed on the pitch again. Another player returning for Sydney that could have an impact, especially in a game that promises to give minutes to some new faces, is Lucy Johnson. Thompson said her big skill is, “winning about any ball that comes down the middle.”
The exciting news of injured captain Nat Tobin’s process of recovery in her ACL injury has brought a boost to Sydney. The defender was able to run on grass for the first time over the international break, and although it won’t pay off until next season, it has pumped the squad up. Thompson herself, who was brought on as an injury-replacement signing for Tobin, feels especially happy for her, saying, “oh my gosh it’s so exciting!” about her progress. Their captain has been handling her injury like no other, Thompson said, with grace and a giant smile. “It’s extra motivation for us to play for her. (We’ll) try to get another championship and premiership for her, and to carry on the legacy she’s worked so hard to build at Sydney.”
Wellington Phoenix
By Ryan Miller-Woods
The media heard from the Wellington Phoenix’s Alyssa Whinham and Olivia Ingham ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Wellington goes into this weekend’s match against Victory knowing that they need a positive result for their finals aspirations. Even though they are only four points away from sixth and could be within a point of the finals come the end of the round, they need results to go their way, and most importantly, bounce back from the 3-0 defeat last round to Western United.
Someone who played in the match against Western last round whilst certain players were on international duty for New Zealand was Alyssa Whinham. While she has featured in 10 matches this season for Wellington, the Western match was only her second starting appearance of this campaign and has had just 279 minutes on the pitch in total this season.
When asked how it’s been being back in the side over the past couple of weeks, Whinham said, “it’s been good. It’s been a pretty tough season for me just not getting much game time. I think I came into the season in a really good mindset and wanted to put my best foot forward and unfortunately, I haven’t really been getting that game time. I’ve had to work pretty hard outside of here to show Paul (Temple) that I am good enough and I can do it. I had been eying up that Western game (last round) for a while. So I was glad I got that opportunity, that was my second start. Unfortunately, it didn’t really go the way we wanted but I was just happy to get 90 minutes in and it’s always a privilege to play for the Phoenix.”
What has been the Achilles heel for the Phoenix throughout this season is that while they have been great at home in New Zealand (fourth in the league based on home results), they’ve only won and achieved points once away from home this campaign (12th in the league based on away results).
When asked whether the team still has that belief that they can make the top six and finals for the first time, Whinham said, “100%. We’ve got a very good team despite all of our injuries. We’re more than good enough to make the top six, we’re just at that part of the season where it really matters like each game is so important. I think anything less than top six, we would be very disappointed with. So, each training, each game is huge and internally we think about it more than we speak about it but we all know that it’s huge and we’re definitely going to be making that top six.”
Despite the match being played in Melbourne, something that Wellington can take going into this weekend is that the last time they played Victory were able to get a point from it come the final whistle in Round Seven with a 2-2 draw of which the Phoenix led at one stage in that encounter.
When asked about the challenge of playing Melbourne Victory away from home and whether the team is daunted by it being played in Melbourne, Whinham said, “definitely not! I think when they came we played them at home last time, we probably could have got more out of that game, than what we did. So I think it was a pretty end-to-end game and it was tough, they’re a very good side, we need to respect them a lot. I think it’ll be a battle between the midfield for sure. We can definitely go there and hopefully get three points, that’s the goal.”
During the international break, Wellington played a friendly between their Senior Squad and their Women’s Academy team which saw the return to pitch for midfielder Olivia Ingham for the first time since the ACL injury she sustained in December 2022.
When asked about her thoughts on making her return to the pitch, Ingham said, “it was a really special moment; I was really excited. It’s been a long time coming and (have) been out for quite a while, so I was really happy to be back on the pitch.”
Western Sydney Wanderers
By Genevieve Henry
Western Sydney Wanderers go head-to-head with rivals Sydney FC in an all-important clash they will be desperate to win this round. With revenge on the mind, the Wanderers will throw everything they have at a tough Sydney side in hopes to get their season back on track. “It means that much more if you’re the underdog.” Wanderers defender Vicky Bruce spoke to the media ahead of the match.
One spot away from the top six, the Wanderers have finals within reach and will be gunning to make their claim. Bruce spoke of their ambitions, saying, “this game was already gonna be so important and such a good game for everyone involved and now it means that much more for us. If we can win, we can crack into that top six.” The American defender has played an important role for the Wanderers, even scoring the winner two rounds ago against the Newcastle Jets.
After a proper smashing by Melbourne Victory, the Wanderers had a week off due to the international break spent reflecting and readjusting for the rest of the season. On their performance in that defeat, Bruce said, “it wasn’t our best team performance.” The Wanderers tactics were easily thwarted by a Victory prepared to capitalise on any chances they were offered. In the week off, they focused on limiting these errors for when they face Sydney.
One boost for the Wanderers was that star Sophie Harding received her first call-up for the Matildas, and although she never saw the field, it will surely bring motivation to her and her teammates. Bruce spoke of the team’s excitement for her and how it could bring even more fire to Harding’s game. “She is a force of nature. She’s so fast, she’s strong, she can shoot from almost anywhere. She really came into herself this year and we’re proud of her. She’s kinda taken us on her back and finished a lot of chances that maybe we wouldn’t have scored normally. With her athleticism, we make it work, and we’re gonna do everything we can to see if we can help her find the back of the net again.”
The Wanderers are currently performing better than they have previously, perhaps due to the extended season. Bruce says this is extra motivation and belief for them that is inspiring them to attempt to close the gap on Sydney. Having never finished above them on the table, the Wanderers will have that in mind as they face the Sky Blues. It will be an interesting matchup, with a defensively sound Sydney side taking on an excellent attacking side in the Wanderers. If Western Sydney can figure out Sydney’s weaknesses early on and exploit them on the counter-attack, there could be another upset for the side in red and black. “We have the chance to make history as a club.”
“This game means so much to everyone, I’m confident both teams are gonna go out with 120%. It’s gonna be who can do better on the day. If we can get the crowd behind us, the fans helping, then that will be key.” Set to be played at a sold-out CommBank Stadium, players on both sides are raring to go in the derby, with excitement being the main feeling. “I think it’s gonna be a crazy atmosphere, lots of positive vibes. This time it’s gonna be our home game which is nice, you know, last game we didn’t come away with the result we wanted, so all more reason to win in front of our crowd, our fans.”
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