Having played every single minute, of every single game in Sydney FC’s championship winning season, Teresa Polias felt a sense of accomplishment upon lifting the trophy in the Westfield W-League grand final.
Having played every single minute, of every single game in Sydney FC-s championship winning season, Teresa Polias felt a sense of accomplishment upon lifting the trophy in the Westfield W-League grand final.
Not just for that season-s toil but after coming so close of numerous occasions in recent years, finally the Sky Blues were champions.
“We just scrapped into the finals; we got some massive results just to make it,” said Polias on recalling
Sydney-s late season surge. “Then we played two amazing games in the semi and final – the best two I-ve been involved in with the club.
“To get revenge on Brisbane in the semi-final for knocking us out the year before was huge. We had a player sent-off and they really came at us but we held strong.
“The final was an amazing feeling. We-d waited a long time for the win and to do it with such a young team bodes well for the future.”
Despite being just 23-years-old, Polias is a relative veteran in the Sky Blues line-up and after some injuries to key personnel, was thrust into a leadership role last season when she took on the vice-captaincy.
Having won the club-s player of the year award the year before, the added responsibility certainly didn’t affect her on field performance as she backed up her feat last season.
“Absolutely I-ve enjoyed the vice-captaincy” said Polias with the authority you expect she uses to boss the midfield. “I think I have the respect of the girls so I-m happy to set an example on the field.”
Polias capped her stellar season by being named in the Matildas squad that travelled to Europe in June. While she didn-t see any action in the internationals, this remains her next challenge.
“Much like Hesterine I-m pretty new to the national set-up but I know most of the girls,” said Polias. We had some intense sessions but I-ve learnt a lot and that is something to look forward to.”
With the W-League pre-season not yet on in earnest Polias has been playing for the North West Sydney Koalas to maintain her fitness but can-t wait for the season to start.
“Hopefully the bulk of the team will be back on board,” she said. “It-s going to be a huge challenge and one of the hardest things (to defend our title) but we-re definitely going to be up for it.”
