Above: Robers in her new colors. Image: Canberra United
By Ryan Miller-Woods (9/10/24).
The new A-League Women campaign is approaching for Canberra United. After a turbulent and challenging off-season, Liz Anton and Emma Robers, two key members of the club’s new look squad reflected on preparations.
Robers begun her chat with the media by highlighting the importance of new head coach Antoni Jagarinec in persuading her to come to the national capital from Western United.
“Ant got me on the phone and pretty much swayed me to come. I’ve played against Canberra many times as well and it’s hard to come here. The club, the culture, the family feel, it’s hard to look past that. At the end of the day, it was an easy decision to come down.”
Going into the season, Canberra will once again have a young squad with an average age of 21.74 with the 19 players they’ve signed so far. Robers is currently the second oldest player in the team at 26.
Asked whether she feels a bit of pressure with the experience that she can add to the young playing group at Canberra, Robers said, “I wouldn’t say pressure, I’d say it’s a privilege. Having played in the league for a few years now, it’s nice to come in with a lot of young ones who are so willing to learn and eager to get out there. I hope I can make my stamp and help guide them through this season.”
Robers was also asked about what Jagarinec wants to see from her this season, saying, “I think bringing a little bit of leadership and experience is definitely a big part of that. I’m quite a defensive-minded player as well, so I think being strong defensively is what we are looking to do, first and foremost and then we’re obviously going to go attack on the counter and see what we can do up front. I hope to just be a steady character in the middle and bring that to the squad.”
After being a mainstay of the Perth Glory defence for several seasons, New Zealand international Anton also underlined the importance of Canberra’s new boss in making the move.
“The main thing for me was I had a really good conversation with Ant about what he wanted to do for the season and having that first initial conversation with him. I felt like he was very genuine and wanted the best for the team, that’s what’s always attractive with a coach and I got sold on that.”
When asked about the experience that she can bring to some of the younger players in United’s squad, Anton said, “It’s a really good opportunity for me to take some strides in leadership. I’m mostly a defensive player and given last season that’s where we need to develop. So hopefully, I can bring a lot of experience and leadership.”
impetusfootball.org 