Impetus’ Genevieve Henry and Ryan Miller-Woods report on three different clubs’ press conferences ahead of round twenty in the A-League Women (16/3/24).
Canberra United
By Ryan Miller-Woods
The media heard from Canberra United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich, Sarah Clark, Cannon Clough, Sofia Christopherson, and Hayley Taylor-Young on Tuesday ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, as well as the already contested match against Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday.
The result from Wednesday’s match against the Wanderers officially ended Canberra’s hopes of making the finals. Despite star striker and current leader in the A-League Women’s golden boot race Michelle Heyman scoring her 14th goal of the season within the first minute, Canberra ended up losing 4-1 to a great Wanderers side.
Canberra can try to end the season on a high and hope that momentum can carry into a better 2024/25 season for the club. However, the task won’t be the easiest with their next opponents, the Mariners, not only being in form, but with history on the Mariners side. When they faced each other in round seven, Central Coast emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.
When asked about this Sunday’s match against Central Coast and whether it can be seen as an inspiration to turn the season around, Popovich said, “without a doubt! They’re (Central Coast Mariners) a well-coached team and a well-structured side, so they play to their strengths and for us it’s about nullifying their main players.”
Despite Canberra having conceded the most goals of any team this campaign with 42, and after 18 games played without a clean sheet, one player within the defence who’s been a good signing for the club since she joined is Sarah Clark. While results haven’t reflected her contributions in the best way, Clark has been an important defensive acquisition, nevertheless.
When asked whether the game against Central Coast will be a tough test for Canberra, Clark said, “they’ve done really well this season. (The) last time we faced them, they’ve definitely climbed up the ladder since then and improved throughout the season. They have really good attacks, so I’m excited to face them personally (and) get another crack at them.”
Another player within the defence who has been a good signing for the club despite the goals conceded this season has been Cannon Clough. Like Clark, Clough has also been an important defensive asset for the club despite results.
In terms of Canberra’s next opponent Central Coast being on a roll at the moment, Clough said, “the Central Coast Mariners have had a good season, they’re a strong team. We’ve played them once, so I hope that we can get fired up for that one as well because we’ve got a lot to play for at the moment.”
One of the highlights for Canberra this season has been Sofia Christopherson, who has played a lot more football for United this season compared to last season, even scoring her maiden goal in the A-League Women against Brisbane Roar in round five.
When asked whether the match against Central Coast will be difficult for Canberra, Christopherson said, “definitely a tough test. We haven’t played them in a while. When Sunday comes around, we’ll get to that.”
Hayley Taylor-Young, who unfortunately sustained a season-ending ankle injury early into this campaign, would have been an excellent player for Canberra to able to call during this tough season. Asked about her recovery, Taylor-Young commented, “it’s going really good. I just started running last week on Thursday, and it’s been feeling really great. No pain whatsoever, and I don’t think I’ve felt like this in quite a few years.”
Wellington Phoenix
By Ryan Miller-Woods
The media heard from the Wellington Phoenix’s Michaela Robertson and Mackenzie Barry ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Sydney FC on Sunday.
Last time out for the Phoenix, they achieved not only their first points away from New Zealand since round two, but arguably their most crucial result of the season, with a 3-1 win against Perth Glory. Hopefully, this round can be more of the same for Wellington, and while it won’t be the easiest matchup against Sydney, Wellington’s form in New Zealand this season should be able to give them some confidence for a result this weekend.
Someone who played a crucial role towards the win against Perth was Michaela Robertson. Asked about how much the win last round against Perth Glory meant to the team, she said, “it’s massive. We went away knowing that we needed to pick up points on the road. We knew it was going to be tough, Perth, our longest journey away, but we knew what we needed to do, and it meant a lot. Our playoffs pretty much started that weekend, to make (the) top six, so really pleased with the performance that the team put in, big shift, and stoked to get those points.”
Despite the results not necessarily being what they had wanted given their form earlier in the campaign, the belief amongst the players has remained through ups and downs.
When asked how much the win last round has done towards them making the top six and reaffirming that belief it can be achieved, Robertson said, “I think that is exactly what we needed is belief in our team and each other, knowing our roles, we spoke about that communication, trusting each other in our positions on the field. So that was really important going into that game that we all trusted each other to do our part and put in a big shift. We talked about going to battle and that’s exactly what we did and came out on the other side.”
Another player who played a crucial role last round from a defensive point of view, was Mackenzie Barry. She’ll be essential towards Wellington’s finals charge given that she is one of the Phoenix’s most important players week in and week out.
When asked how much the win against Perth lifts the belief that Wellington can make the Finals this season, Barry said, “it’s massive! Going into that game, we knew we had to win if we wanted to have a chance of being in that Top Six. It was a lot of pressure put on us, but I think it was what we needed, and we won which was amazing to win so far away from home as well is a great achievement for us. We’ve struggled with the away games, so it shows that we’ve been improving. It means a lot for our development and for the top six.”
The next four games for Wellington will definitely test the depth that is available within the squad, due to certain players being out with injury. Consistency with the available players may potentially be a huge benefit. Wellington will have to be smart with the use of the players themselves in these matches.
When asked whether she thinks the team has the depth in the squad to get it done in these final four matches of the regular season, Barry said, “it’ll be a challenge, we’re going to have to rotate players. Three games in eight days is a big ask for anyone, to play 90 minutes back-to-back, so there will be some changes, but I think we’ve got the depth still. Everyone will step up so I’m looking forward to hopefully winning those games.”
Western United
By Genevieve Henry
Ahead of Western United’s first match at the new Wyndham Regional Football Facility, head coach Kat Smith and co-captain Jaclyn Sawicki spoke to the media about their new home, with Sawicki saying “It’s green and black here, and it’s our home.”
The excitement of the new facility is being felt throughout Western United’s community, with fans, players, and staff all looking forward to the opportunity to play at home. Smith commented, “the field is amazing, the facilities are great. It feels like home already. The girls are buzzing and we can’t wait for Sunday.” Smith compared the stadium and infrastructure surrounding Western United to the club’s current trajectory: “evolving everyday getting better and better.” It could make a massive difference for the team’s morale to have a new facility. Sawicki spoke of the players’ feelings saying, “everyone’s just excited to have their own locker and put their stuff in there, and not have to take it home with them.”
The club has been heavily promoting this historical game, with players visiting local schools and clubs to welcome the community to their new home. “We wanna make this a fortress for us,” said Smith, “a pretty scary place to come for the opposition.” Recruiting fans of all ages and capitalising on the football buzz encompassing the nation, Western United will aim to draw a large crowd, with Sawicki saying, “it’s exciting for the communities out this way to have something to look forward to on the weekends, that is football. Hopefully we get a good crowd, and put on a good show, as well.”
“People are starting to understand where our Matildas are built. They’re coming from the A-Leagues. Not only are we seeing returning Matildas, or previously capped players, but you’re gonna see the next crop of Matildas coming through.” Smith said, continuing, “(football) needs to be supported. Governments, clubs, the league, the federation, and also by our communities.”
Western United will throw everything at the Jets this Sunday in order to maintain their spot at the top of the table. With just three games left, the race for a Premiership in just their second year in the A-League Women is one that the club will give their all for. Sawicki urged fans to show up for the team, saying, “it’s not game day without our fans.”
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