Ahead of this weekend’s Westfield W-League grand final re-match with Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar Women captain Clare Polkinghorne has predicted the upcoming season will be the strongest since the competition’s inception two years ago.
Brisbane Roar Women take the field on Saturday against the reigning champions hoping to gain revenge on the team that pipped them to the silverware in the thrilling 3-2 decider.
After a lengthy off-season, Polkinghorne says her team are itching to get the competition underway in hopes of regaining the title they claimed in the Westfield W-League-s maiden season.
“We-re very excited, this is the third year the Westfield W-League has been running and I think each year it has gotten better,” the current FFA Female Footballer of the Year said.
“We-re looking strong and we-ve had a good pre-season.”
Brisbane coach Jeff Hopkins has named a versatile squad to challenge for the title this year, but Polkinghorne has highlighted the Roar-s attacking strengths as the biggest threat to opposition teams.
Despite finishing the league in third place last season behind champions Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners, the Roar notched up an impressive tally of 24 goals in just 10 matches.
“I think we are a more balanced team than we ever have been, so it-s an exciting time for Brisbane Roar,” she said.
“Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight, they-ve got some skill and got some pace so they-re exciting players to watch.
“We-ve also got a young striker called Emily Gielnik who will hopefully play an important role for us.”
While admitting all teams would test the depth of their revamped squad, Polkinghorne cited their first two opponents as formidable threats to their title challenge.
After this weekend-s season opener, Brisbane Roar Women travel to the nation-s capital to take on a strong Canberra United outfit, boosted by the capture of last season-s Westfield W-League top scorer, Michelle Heyman.
“It-s hard to pick one stand-out, I think each team has their own strengths,” the 22-year-old said.
“Obviously Sydney FC is always strong competition for us but Canberra has also got a strong group.
“It should make for an interesting year.”
Brisbane Roar face Sydney FC on Saturday 6 November at Ballymore Stadium, kicking off at 2pm.
