Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar are the teams to beat but don’t discount Canberra United performing a snatch and grab raid on the Westfield W-League title.
That was the prevailing view from representatives from all seven clubs at Monday’s launch of the third instalment of the ever-improving Westfield W-League.
Despite the collapse of Central Coast on the eve of the competition kick-off, the fight for the four semi-finals spots will be intense.
Sydney FC dropped just one game en route to last year’s title but know they will have their work cut out to secure back-to-back crowns.
“Being title holders, there is going to be a lot of pressure on us to hold it,”striker Kyah Simon said.
“We’re ready to show the rest we deserve to retain the title but we also know they will be coming to get us.”
The Sky Blues’ main threat is likely to come from beaten grand finalists Brisbane but no-one is willing to write off Canberra after a strong off-season recruitment drive netted them several quality players.
“Sydney are reigning premiers with a team full of Maltidas so they along with Brisbane will be hard to beat,” Adelaide United’s Victoria Balomenos declared.
“But Canberra have recruited well and they will definitely be a darkhorse.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see them up there.”
Melbourne’s Melissa Barbieri said of Canberra: “They’ve done some great recruiting over the break and I’m sure they are going to be the hardest team to beat.”
Matilda and Perth Glory forward Kate Gill agreed, adding: “Canberra will do well. They have recruited well and have good players in each position.”
It all adds up to increased pressure on the girls in green.
But Canberra’s Sally Shipard welcomed the increased expectation on her squad.
“We are looking quite strong,” she said.
“We want to equal – if not better – our performances of the last two seasons so breaking through to the semi-finals (is the goal).”
While disappointed to lose Central Coast from the competition, FFA head of women’s football Leeanne Grantham is confident the Westfield W-League is going from strength to strength heading into its third year.
And, as she pointed out, the spin off is greater success and opportunity for Australia’s senior and youth teams.
“The awareness of the W-League is now global so we’re seeing a lot more interest form international players,” Grantham said.
“That’s important because it strengthens the competition which in turn helps our national teams.”
The grand final re-match between Sydney and Brisbane will kick-start the 2010/11 season on Saturday with Adelaide hosting Newcastle later the same day.
Perth will play Canberra on Sunday.
