They’ve never made the Westfield W-League Finals Series before, but all signs are pointing to Western Sydney Wanderers doing so in some style this season.
Dean Heffernan has led his side to consecutive victories in the first two rounds of the 2019/20 campaign; a feat the Wanderers have never managed before.
And a clear example of the progress the side has already made this season is they have already surpassed their total points tally from the 2018/29 campaign (four).
This side is like no Wanderers team they’ve assembled in the Westfield W-League before.
Heffernan and his assistants Michael Beauchamp have not only improved the structure and discipline in the squad but the recruitment of top-quality players has been a huge factor at Wanderland.
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The likes of Amy Harrison and Kristen Hamilton have enjoyed superb starts to the season in midfield, while the likes of Sam Staab and goalkeeper Abby Smith have provided the Wanderers much-needed defensive stability.
Throw in the arrival of top-draw international imports Lynn Williams and Denise O’Sullivan and Heffernan has a squad riddled with talent and class, and he’s reaping the rewards early in the season.
After his side’s 1-0 win over the Jets on Friday night, Heffernan was quick to point to the talent in his squad as the reason for the Wanderers’ fantastic form to begin the campaign.
“It was a really proud performance by the girls,” Heffernan said.
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“We worked on a lot of things during the week and the team were very good. You should be talking to them not me right now.
“O’Sullivan is one of the best midfielders in the world, Ella Mastroantonio has the best technique I’ve ever seen across both the A-League and W-League, so to have those two working tirelessly for us is incredible.
“Williams and O’Sullivan were very good and the players around them were also good in helping them getting into dangerous positions.”
Heffernan’s attention now shifts to a Round 3 clash with Brisbane Roar at Lions Stadium next Thursday (7:30pm AEDT), where his side will come up against one of the league’s benchmark sides.
The Roar have enjoyed first and second place finishes over the past two Westfield W-League campaigns and will be desperate to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Melbourne Victory in their first outing.
But after dispatching both Adelaide and Newcastle in the first two rounds, Heffernan will relish the chance to pit his new-look Wanderers outfit against a side he hopes to displace in this season’s finals campaign.
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