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 we cast an eye over New Lambton.
The Eagles reached dizzying heights in their second season to secure the 2019 premiership-championship double. But after changes to coaching and player personnel, last year was a struggle. They had injury after injury after injury and finished second-last after taking points in just three of their 14 games. The addition of former W-League striker Adriana Jones midway through the season gave them more attacking power and she remains one of a handful of players new coach Greg Lowe has retained in a very new-look squad this campaign. He has picked up some handy recruits but is working with a whole new group of players with an eye on the future, so how quickly they can jell will be the key.
The Newcastle Herald (NH) went one-on-one with coach Greg Lowe (GL) and players Adriana Jones (AJ) and Georgia Minors (GM) recently and this is what they had to say about the season ahead.
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The coach
NH: What can you tell us about the squad you have assembled?
GL: We've retained Macy Anthony and Adriana Jones and Serena Carter, who wasn't a first-grader last year but she's stayed on and is going to play first grade for us this year. She'll play centre-back and is looking really sharp. She's looking quite powerful, winning a lot of tackles. She's quite clever and has a really good attitude. She's someone who has been there since the start of New Lambton WPL and she has that opportunity now to show what she can do. Macy is a winger. She's still quite young but she's looking like a regular first-grader at this stage. She's quick, willing to learn and can make quite an impact. She's scored a couple of good goals already in pre-season. Key pick-ups are Brooke Miller, who has played at the Jets previously. She's a centre-back. She was with Central Coast Mariners in their NPLW. [Midfielder] Georgia Minors is back after a couple of seasons off and we have Nina Collins, who is also from Central Coast Mariners. She's a winger/fullback but she can also play midfield. She's so adaptive. An exciting one for me is goalkeeper Lily-Rose Dunbar. She's turning 15 this year. She played under 14s last year and she's looking to be our regular first-grade keeper this year. She's tall, very athletic and she's willing for her challenge.
NH: What's the biggest challenge this year?
GL: We worked out we've got something like 22 new players in a squad of 31. That's a huge thing to do. That was our biggest challenge, getting them to come together quickly. We know we can be competitive. We just need time to come together as a team. It's a long-term project to bring sustainability to the WPL program. That's the mandate I got from the club and it's going to take time. But we want to be making sure that we provide every team with a challenge, and I think we can. On our day, we've got some very good players there.
NH: Does 21 rounds play in your favour as it allows more time for the new group to jell?
GL: Absolutely. The more games, the better for us, so we can gain more confidence as we go, build on the performances we need to do better in and capitalise on the positive performances.
NH: What goals have you set for the group?
GL: We just want to make sure we can build confidence and work week to week because there is 21 games. We feel like we can be competitive with most teams in the competition on our day. That's going to be the main thing for us and then we go forward from there. We just take it game by game. It's going to be a detriment to us if we put too much pressure on ourselves. It's keeping everybody fit and positive and keeping growing. We've got to enjoy the journey and the process and look to be really strong in what we do. I want to make sure our team can be considered as someone who can't be easily beaten. That's my main objective.
The players
NH: How's the squad coming together?
AJ: It's pretty much a whole new squad. All the girls are lovely. This is one of the most positive environments I've been in, so it's nice to find somewhere in Newcastle to relax and actually enjoy football. It's a nice team environment.
NH: What goals have you set?
AJ: Everyone wants to make finals. I think that's the goal that we're trying to aspire to. But at the same time we're trying to develop the younger girls for many years to come. It's not going to just be a one-hit wonder. Realistically, we'd love to make a grand final. I think you set that standard. But if we don't there's further ahead to look forward to.
GM: The club obviously want us to do well but there's no pressure from them. They're looking for the coming seasons. But at the same time, we've got some very competitiveness in us. We've got some very competitive players in our team.
NH: Who should we watch out for?
AJ and GM: Nina Collins, Tomeka Fuller at right-back, Maddie Thornton in the midfield and Macy Anthony.
NH: A lot of people have written off New Lambton, given the amount of changes to the squad. How do you feel about that?
AJ: I love being an underdog because people are not expecting you to go anywhere and I love proving myself. As a whole team environment, I think we're out to make a difference and to try to prove ourselves. We're not too fussed or worried. But if people are going to think we're underdogs, that's OK.
The stats
Last season: Finished seventh on seven points
Home ground: Alder Park and Arthur Edden Oval
Key players: Adriana Jones has the ability to single-handedly tear teams apart but will need good service and to build confidence with some early goals. The additions of Brooke Miller and Georgia Minors add experience and coach Greg Lowe has plenty of talented youngsters ready to take their first-grade opportunities. Serena Carter will be another one to watch.
First up: They play Adamstown at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday at 3.40pm
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