The 12th instalment of Herald Women's Premier League kicks off on Thursday night. While several big-name players have departed, some familiar faces are back and there is a host of emerging talent poised to rise up. Here is how the teams are shaping up:
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ADAMSTOWN
Coach: Ryan Campbell.
Last season: Finished sixth.
Squad news: Adamstown have been rebuilding over the past few seasons and Ryan Campbell has assembled a new-look squad brimming with players out of the Jets Academy program. Gone to other WPL sides are Elodie Dagg, Maggie Quinn, Chelsea Lucas, Annika D'Amico, Riley Field, Georgia Cook and Elly Cook. Goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon and midfielder Jorjia Hogg remain from last season and have big jobs ahead of them as the senior players in a very young side. Key recruits include Australian under-16 midfielder Emma Bates, defenders Leia Puxty and Kimmy Trappett and attacker Brianna Trappett. Attacking midfielder Ellen Hughes, who has come from playing 17s for Rosebud last season, will be another another one to watch.
Bottom line: At this early stage, it is hard to say whether this young squad will have what it takes to get Rosebud back into the finals. They will be fit, fast and well-drilled but a lack of experience playing at senior level could prove telling.
Prediction: Fifth.
BROADMEADOW
Coach: Jake Curley.
Last season: As South Wallsend, finished fourth then lost semi-final to New Lambton.
Squad news: Magic have taken on South Wallsend's licence but the side looks vastly different from the one of 2019. Gemma Harrison, Maddy Searl, Erin Wilson, MJ Mason and Kirstyn Antoni are not playing. Ash Brodigan, who scored 30 goals for the Wolves last year, and Jets player Gema Simon are believed to be playing in National Premier League NSW Women's. They are all big losses but Magic have recruited well, most notably picking up former Jets striker Adriana Jones, who has not played in the local competition since helping Warners Bay to championship glory in 2016. They also signed Chelsea Lucas in a last-minute switch from Warners Bay. Players to watch include Gabrielle Brodie and captain Kalista Hunter. They also have Koby Ferguson due back on the field from injury in April.
Bottom line: Magic have a number of players who can hurt teams and how they come together will be the key.
Prediction: Second.
MEREWETHER
Coach: Scott Ellis.
Last season: Finished third, lost grand final in extra time.
Squad news: They have lost a wealth of talent and experience in defenders Jamee Ellis and Sarah Hartree, midfielders Jane McDonald, Tayla Braithwaite and Leah Giuffre plus young gun Courtney Anderson. But perhaps the biggest loss has been coach Cassandra Koppen after a five-season stint at the helm in which United made four grand finals and won three. They welcome back former captain Lori Depczynski, who can play in any third of the pitch, and have picked up a reportedly handy midfielder in Sarah Bergin from Ireland. Plenty of experience remains in goalkeeper Al Logue and defender Nicki Jones, W-League striker Rhali Dobson, who is always among the leading scorers, plus American Katy Gray, who showed plenty of steel in her first season.
Bottom line: United are not as strong as they have been in the past and depth could prove an issue if they don't have player consistency. But the core group of experienced players have the ability to lead them to finals again.
Prediction: Fourth.
MID NORTH COAST
Coach: Mick Grass.
Last season: Finished last.
Squad news: The return of Courtney Anderson will bring confidence and experience to Mid North Coast. She went from strength to strength in a season with Merewether last year, featuring in all 24 games and scoring 14 goals. Anderson and defender Micheala Elford will take on senior roles in a very young squad. They retain eight, possibly nine players from last year and one to watch will be 16-year-old midfielder Evie Bobliak, who has risen from 17s last year to first grade.
Bottom line: It is going to be another development year for Mid North Coast and coach Mick Grass says improvement remains the main goal.
Prediction: Seventh.
OLYMPIC
Coach: Harmonie Attwill.
Last season: As Wallsend, finished fifth.
Squad news: Olympic have replaced Wallsend in WPL. Jets midfielder Libby Copus-Brown has left to play in Sydney and while her loss is huge they have recruited well. That includes Jets striker and multiple WPL leading scorer Jenna Kingsley, attacking player Jemma House, who came through the Emerging Jets but has played college football in the United States for the past four seasons, midfielders Tulia Palozzi and Imogen Tusek and fullback Emily Frost. Key players remaining are defenders Alesha Clifford and Sophie O'Brien plus attacking players Olivia Kennedy and Laura Hall.
Bottom line: On paper, Olympic are shaping as the team to beat. They look strong across the park, have an imposing strike force and would have to be considered premiership favourites. The key will be how they gel.
Prediction: First.
NEW LAMBTON
Coach: Brad Jones.
Last season: Finished first, won grand final in extra time.
Squad news: The Eagles have sustained some heavy losses with the departure of Jets strikers Tara Andrews and Lauren Allan, who contributed 81 of New Lambton's 113 goals last year, plus defender Jenna Kennedy, goalkeeper Imogene Tomasone and midfielder Sophie Jones. Championship-winning coach Keelan Hamilton has also left. They have picked up Warners Bay pair Sophie Stapleford and Kaitlin Radstaak and Australian under-16 goalkeeper Ruby Jones. The Eagles retain experience in Stacey Day, Lisa Cochrane, Georgia Amess and Toria Campbell and more can be expected from young guns Emmeline Pepper and Tahlia Gossner this season.
Bottom line: As the Eagles move into the post-Tara Andrews era, the biggest challenge will be dealing with the loss of such a prolific player. While the departures will go some way to taking the target off their back, they will still be a force to be reckoned with and have depth on their side.
Prediction: Third.
THORNTON
Coach: Al Primmer.
Last season: Finished seventh.
Squad news: They have lost Maddison Dean and Kirsty Power-Walford to Magic. Goalkeeper Grace Harvey is not playing nor is Jennifer Jongbloed. The Redbacks have not signed any players of note and will rely heavily on the experience of striker Sophie Milton and defender Lucy Maddison as well as a host of rising talent in teenagers Ainsley Childs, Lauren Faulkner, Jasmyn Hughes and Taleah Mountford.
Bottom line: It looks to be another tough season ahead with the focus mostly on development.
Prediction: Last.
WARNERS BAY
Coach: Craig Atkins.
Last season: Finished second, lost semi-final to Merewether.
Squad news: They have been one of the heavyweights of the league for the past four seasons but it is a new-look Panthers squad in 2020. Gone are big guns Cassidy Davis, Jenna Kingsley and Tara Pender, all with W-League experience. Davis and Pender are playing in NPL NSW Women's and Kingsley has joined Olympic. Sophie Stapleford and Kaitlin Radstaak have signed with New Lambton, Nadja Squires is having a season off from WPL and goalkeeper Maddie Latter has relocated. Recruits include Elodie Dagg, Annika D'Amico, Ryley Field, Georgia Cook and Elly Cook, all from Adamstown.
Bottom line: Craig Atkins has assembled a strong squad, which still includes Sian Keating and Airlie Davis and Dagg is one of the most talented midfielders in the league but it is hard to see the club having the dominance of the past four seasons.
Prediction: Sixth.
