New Roar Women Head Coach Jake Goodship says his side are raring to go ahead of their Westfield W-League 2019/20 season-opener tomorrow night.
The Roar Women kick-off their campaign when they take on reigning premiers Melbourne Victory at Dolphin Stadium on Thursday night (6:30pm KO).
The clash will be Goodship’s first competitive game in charge as Roar Women Head Coach & he is confident that the current group is ready for challenge.
“There’s a real sense of excitement within the group – we’ve prepared well & we just can’t wait to get out there tomorrow,” Goodship said.
“There’s no pressure whatsoever among the group – we’re in a really good place before the first game.”
Goodship faces a tough decision at the selection table tomorrow night with 22 available players cut to an extended squad of 17 before a further cut to 15 on Game Day.
Among those in contention are NPLW QLD star duo Rylee Baisden & Claire Farrington who could make their Westfield W-League debuts in Redcliffe.
“We’ve got almost a whole squad to select from and it’s a fantastic position to be in,” the new Head Coach continued.
“All the players are fighting for spots, not just in the squad but in the starting XI as well.
“There’s a real healthy competition and I know that whoever takes the field tomorrow will give their all for the team and club.”
The former Young Roar Head Coach revealed the squad’s leadership group on Tuesday night, headed by veteran Roar skipper and Westfield Matildas defender Clare Polkinghorne.
“The leadership group moving forward will drive the heart & soul of the team and the club – their character and personalities are unbelievable,” Goodship added.
“It’s unrivalled with other clubs – we have a great mix of local players and world-class stars, not just in the leadership group but throughout the whole squad too.
The reigning premiers Victory suffered a first round defeat to Sydney FC but Goodship is focused solely on what his side have to do to take the three points.
“It’s going to be a tough game – they’re coming off a 3-0 loss against Sydney FC but we’re just focused on what we need to do to win the game,” Goodship concluded.
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 2: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe
Sunday, 17 November (6:30pm KO)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Carson PICKETT, 3.Celeste BOUREILLE, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 7.Indiah-Paige RILEY, 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 9.Rylee BAISDEN, 10.Katrina GORRY, 12.Allira TOBY, 13.Tameka YALLOP, 15.Claire FARRINGTON, 16.Hayley RASO, 18.Leah DAVIDSON, 19.Hollie PALMER, 20.Georgina WORTH (gk), 22.Anna MARGRAF, 23.Isobel DALTON **two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 6.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (hamstring – TBC)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 2.Rosie SUTTON, 3.Teigen ALLEN, 4.Emily MENGES, 6.Haley HANSON, 7.Emma ROBERS, 8.Angie BEARD, 9.Natasha DOWIE (c), 10.Jenna McCORMICK, 11.Darian JENKINS, 13.Polly DORAN, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Annalie LONGO, 18.Grace MAHER, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Melissa MAIZELS **two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Rosie SUTTON (promoted), 19.Lia PRIVITELLI (returning from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5.Laura BROCK (foot)
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Assistant Referee 1: Mi Suk Park
Assistant Referee 2: Avrol Beecham
Fourth Official: Lara Lee
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7:15pm (AEDT), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvMVC. To purchase tickets visit www.w-league.com.au/ticket
