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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Next up, Adamstown.
Coach Ryan Campbell virtually started afresh with a new-look Rosebud side last year. While very young, they were also very talented and opened the 2020 season in strong fashion before the enforced coronavirus break. Injury sidelined goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon for several weeks and without her Rosebud struggled to win a game. But in a shortened competition they were for the most part of the season in the hunt for finals.
The Newcastle Herald (NH) went one-on-one with coach Ryan Campbell (RC) and players Olivia Sneddon (OS) and Jorjia Hogg (JH) recently and this is what they had to say about the season ahead.
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The coach
NH: What changes have there been your squad and how is it shaping up for the season ahead?
RC: We've lost (holding midfielder) Emma Bates to NPL NSW Women's. That's a big loss and we've had to change a bit of our formation and where people play to try to make up for that. We've picked up centre-back Jemma Lawson from Warners Bay and holding midfielder Ellyse Lynch from Central Coast Mariners but on the whole the squad is pretty much the same. Key players will again be Jorjia Hogg and Olivia Sneddon. Those two are experienced. The other two are Leia Puxty and Ellen Hughes. In pre-season they have probably been our two most consistent players in they're always eight out of 10. You know what you're going to get out of them. They're pretty adaptable. They both play in a number of positions, depending on what the team needs, so I'm hoping those two step up and have a really good season and are pretty dominant. Ellen was in the front three last year but will be used in the midfield more this year.
NH: What goals have you set for the group this year?
RC: I still don't think we're at the point where I'd be comfortable to say we're going to go and consistently get good results because I think we're still missing someone who will step up and actually create goals when we're not playing well. Or we're not having our best game but someone will have a really good game. But, in saying that, they're a lot more comfortable being first-graders. They're not nervous about playing first grade. They're not feeling like they have a point to prove. They're just now expecting that they're going to win games.
NH: Does a return to 21 rounds favour a young side like yours?
RC: Having a pre-season will. Last year we started the first two rounds really well then COVID happened. That was a big negative for us because we needed all the time in pre-season to get ready for games and to make sure we were competitive.
NH: All of your home games will be played at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Why have you moved them there?
RC: The main reason we want to play there is because it suits the style of how we want to play. It doesn't suit us to be the eighth game of the weekend on Adamstown because we try to play a possession-based game and the field doesn't allow it if it's been chopped up all weekend. I think Speers Point is an advantage for us in that we train there and we'll play there every second weekend and it's a true surface.
The players
NH: How are things looking for the season ahead?
JH: The team is looking still quite young but pre-season has been really good. A lot of the girls have stepped up and are cementing their spot.
NH: With such a young group, do you feel like there are no limits on what can be achieved in your second year together as a group?
JH: They can only get better from last year. We're jelling together now and it's looking really good. I'm really excited. We're aiming for improvement from last year coming sixth and Ryan knows that we can do better and he know that there's more expectations from us. We want to make at least top four/top three and our goal this year is to compete with these other teams who have signed some decent players and have kept the bulk of their squad such as Olympic. We want to compete with those sides this year and hopefully make top four and maybe ruffle a few feathers.
OS: The ones who have stepped up into first grade from reserve grade last year, they're working hard to make sure that spot is theirs. They're jelling well, especially in the backline. We've got some new girls there. Charli O'Connor is stepping up probably to play first grade most of the time and she's looking really strong.
NH: Does a return to 21 rounds suits your side?
OS: I think so. We'll come out really fit and strong. We did that last season and then obviously the break kind of hindered us. But from the start we'll have a very good base behind us and over 21 rounds we'll stay fitter and stronger and being young could be an advantage.
The stats
Last season: Finished sixth with 17 points
Home ground: Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Key players: They will again be a well-drilled side but will need a dominant striker if they want to challenge for a finals position. Experienced goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon is key. When she was injured for several games last campaign, Rosebud struggled to win a game. They have picked up centre-back Jemma Lawson from Warners Bay and holding midfielder Ellyse Lynch from Central Coast Mariners but otherwise remain relatively the same. Key players again will be versatile Ellen Hughes, who played in a front three last year but is likely to be used more in the midfield this campaign, left-back Leia Puxty and senior players Jorjia Hogg and Olivia Sneddon.
First up: They play New Lambton at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday (March 27) at 3.40pm
Teams to be previewed on Friday will be New Lambton and newcomers Maitland.
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