Katrina Gorry admits Brisbane Roar are purring after securing the result of the Westfield W-League season so far but has urged the Queenslanders to build on Sunday’s demolition of Western Sydney Wanderers.
Gorry’s Brisbane stunned Premiership contenders and the previously unbeaten Wanderers 4-0 in their own backyard in a lethal 20-minute second half spell which sent shockwaves through the competition.
For the 27-year-old Westfield Matildas midfielder, it was a performance and a result that had been coming, and one that underlines Brisbane as Championship dark horses.
The Premiers Plate is out of reach for Jake Goodship’s side given they are nine points off leaders Melbourne City with four fixtures to play, but Gorry is hopeful Brisbane can transform a top four finish into an all-out assault for the Championship following what the Australian midfielder is hailing as a pivotal win.
“It definitely did feel like that,” Gorry told w-league.com.au on Tuesday.
“We’d created so many chances earlier in the season but just unfortunately have not been clinical enough when we needed it most.
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“We knew we would get opportunities against Wanderers and we took them. I think it probably is [the result of the season so far]… scoring more than two goals has instilled that belief in us.
“Hopefully we can build on that and realise how dangerous we are in attack and continue to get more and more runners in the box to create those chances.
“We had some big names out on the weekend and for us to go out and put a performance like that really shows the depth we have in the squad and anyone that plays in our positions gets the job done.
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“One of the team’s goals at the start of the season was to make the top four. If we can do that, we have every chance of making the Grand Final.”
Gorry is enjoying a sparkling return to form and fitness for Brisbane after a difficult 2019 on and off the field which began with season-ending ankle surgery and continued doubts over her future in football.
The 76-times-capped Westfield Matilda admitted she came close to giving the game away but says she is enjoying her football once more and playing with a smile on her face.
“[Last year] I was feeling pretty broken in all aspects of my life which was really tough and I think that showed on the field
“Like I said, I think my injury was a blessing to me to step away from the game and find who I was off the field and I guess that’s what I’ve done.
“This season for me it was all about finding that enjoyment again.”
A fit-again and rejuvenated Gorry was last week rewarded for her persistence by being called up to Ante Milicic’s 20-player roster for February’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers.
“He knows what I’m capable of. I haven’t been at that level for a little while but it’s coming back in my form this season,” she said.
“I know there’s a lot more to come.
“At the end of the day if players are enjoying themselves off the field it’s going to reflect on the field.
“That’s the kind of environment he’s setting at the moment.”
ROUND 10: How to watch the upcoming round of Westfield W-League
ROUND 9: Westfield W-League Team of the Week
Round 10
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Thursday, 16 January 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Broadcast: FOX Sports
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Click here to buy tickets
