As we count down until the start of the 13th instalment of the Herald Women's Premier League, we are bringing our readers an in-depth look into how the eight teams are shaping up.
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Today, it is Warners Bay.
The Panthers were one of the big-hitters of the league for a number of years then were plunged into rebuilding mode with the departure of a host of high-profile players last season. They made a slow start to their 2020 campaign but hit their straps as the year wore on and managed to finish fourth. They booked passage to the grand final after disposing of Merewether 6-2 in the semi-finals then Broadmeadow 5-4 in the preliminary final. The addition of superstar striker Jen Hoy, who had played over 100 games in the National Women's Soccer League in the United States, a few games into the season proved pivotal but she is not playing this campaign.
How will they adapt to the loss is the big question.
The Newcastle Herald (NH) went one-on-one with coach Craig Atkins (CA) and players Elodie Dagg (ED) and Ryley Field (RF) recently and this is what they had to say about the season ahead.
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The coach
NH: How big is the loss of Jen Hoy?
CA: It's obviously disappointing because she's irreplaceable. It's a huge disappointment not only for us but the whole competition really. She's moving. I said to her and the girls that we've just got to be grateful for the time we've had with her. Everyone has learnt so much from her. It's disappointing so close to the competition but she's a true professional and it's been a pleasure working with her. It's an opportunity now for others. This is where we started this time last year without Jen. So we start again and it's a good opportunity for some other girls to step up.
NH: What have been the other changes to the squad?
CA: We've also lost Annika D'Amico. She's not playing due to work commitments. So the front third is open. We've brought in a couple of new players to strengthen the senior squad as a whole, so we've got a bit more depth for the upcoming season which is always nice. It's still a very strong squad. You've got to adapt to life after losing someone of Jen's quality and that's going to take some time, but we'll adapt and we'll move forward. Last year I just had the 11 to pick from. This year I've got a lot more options, which is what you need. There's going to be some tinkering until we get it right, but that's football. Returning is (defender) Airlie Davis, who missed last season with an ankle injury and we have picked up striker Alannah Russell from the Emerging Jets.
NH: What goals have you set the group?
CA: You always want to play semi-final football, so that's got to be the minimum goal that you set. We've played a couple of trials and our trial form hasn't been great but that doesn't matter. It's just about working on structures and a few new things, so it's all going to take time to kick into gear. But semi-finals would be minimum for sure.
NH: Who will be key for you this year and who can we watch out for?
CA: (Midfielder) Elodie Dagg and (right-back) Sian Keating are obviously key players. I think somebody like (centre-back) Georgia Cook has the ability to really step up. I thought she was quality last year but I believe she could take her game to another level this year. And if Airlie comes back in, just for a little bit more leadership there. Alannah Russell has got the first opportunity to fill the void from Jen. She's only 17 years old but she's already scored a couple of nice goals in the pre-season which is promising. We've still got that core component of the girls there which is extremely handy. It's just filling a few voids and making sure they all jell as quick as possible. We've got good competition between the girls, some added competitive pressure this year, which is good.
NH: Does a return to a 21-round competition give you a bit more time to jell?
CA: You'll get a good gauge after the first seven rounds as to how things are travelling. That first seven rounds is all about who can jell the quickest and getting points on the board early is vital. Last year we left our run late and that was advantageous to us in the end, but I think it's going to be a really tight competition.
NH: How do you feel about the grand final rematch with Newcastle Olympic first-up?
CA: We played them in a trial in and had a 2-2 draw. There will be no Jen and no Jem (Jemma House), so it should be a different contest. But there's nothing better than having a grand final rematch in the first round. The girls will be up for that and looking forward to it.
The players
NH: Warners Bay were a very new group last year but you hit your straps at the right time. Is this year a matter of continuing to build on the platform that you established in 2020?
ED: We've played on our formation a little bit now that the team's been together for a bit longer. It was all new last year. This year is definitely building on top of what we've already done but we're feeling good about our formation.
NH: Did you feel that Warners Bay surprised a few people last year by making the grand final?
ED: The break with COVID helped us build on the team, getting to know each other better. We clicked at the right time. A lot of people pushed us out last season saying they can't make finals and they've lost a lot of W-League players to Sydney, so I think we shocked people when we did peak and we're hoping to do that again this year.
NH: How much motivation do you take into this season after losing the grand final 3-2 in a very close contest?
ED: It's definitely in the back of our minds but it's not playing too much of a part. No one is freaking out that we have too much to prove. If anything, the pressure is not on us. We feel like we can just go up and up and up. When we play Olympic it will be in the back of our minds but it's not going to overshine any other game. We're keen to build on what we did last year and go the next step.
NH: Who will be players to watch this year?
ED: We have a few girls coming up from reserves. Zoe Horgan in the midfield has stepped up from reserves. She came from Tasmania halfway through the season last year and played with the reserves and a few games in first grade. She's definitely going to be one to watch and, once we all start clicking with each other, I think she will definitely be a key for us.
RF: Having new players come into the squad has made it super competitive, which is good.
The stats
Last season: Finished fourth with 25 points, beat Merewether 6-2 in the semi-final, beat Broadmeadow 5-4 in the preliminary final then lost 3-2 to Newcastle Olympic in the grand final
Home ground: John Street Oval
Key players: Jen Hoy proved the catalyst to Warners Bay's success last season and how they cope with her loss will prove key. She crafted 24 goals in 13 outings to be the league's second-highest scorer. But it wasn't just her class-above skill that lifted the Panthers. Anyone watching on could see the confidence the 30-year-old American brought to the players around her. Warners Bay will need to find goals from somewhere else and it sounds like the opportunity is there for someone to seize. Midfielder and captain Elodie Dagg is widely regarded as one of the best players in the league and is a class act herself. She works hard, has great vision and can pop up and score at any time as well. She brings calm and composure to the side. Right-back Sian Keating took her game to a new level last year and many noticed. Not only is she steely and lightning quick, her long-range throw-ins are a weapon in themselves.
First-up: They travel to Darling Street Oval on Saturday (March 27) for a grand final rematch with Newcastle Olympic. Kick-off is 2pm.
Teams to be previewed on Thursday will be young guns Mid Coast and Adamstown.
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