With Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s shock win over league leaders Perth Glory on Saturday, it’s no surprise that one of the weekend’s standout performers grabbed both goals in that match.
With Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s shock win over league leaders Perth Glory on Saturday, it’s no surprise that one of the weekend’s standout performers grabbed both goals in that match.
21-year-old Trudy Camilleri had a sensational game, which saw the Wanderers pick up their first win and first points of the season. Facing tough opposition in a Perth Glory outfit who were looking to continue their winning streak, it was Camilleri who struck in both halves to drag the Wanderers off the bottom of the Westfield W-League table.
The western Sydney local, who was born in Liverpool, said after the match that the league’s newcomers were keen to overcome some early teething problems.
“Our progression through the week has been better than the last two weeks,” said Camilleri. “We’re learning from our mistakes each week and come the warm-up today it was just [about] focus.”
After previously plying her trade with the Central Coast Mariners, Camilleri spent several years away from the Westfield W-League before the opportunity to join Western Sydney Wanderers FC arose. The midfielder is ecstatic to be playing in Australia’s premier women’s football competition again, and the fact that the club is based in Sydney’s west is ideal.
“I’ve been waiting for this for ages. I was going to do anything in my power to go anywhere that I could because I just wanted to play in the W-League again, but being that there’s a Western Sydney Wanderers team in, it’s the best thing ever. I love it.”
Camilleri was quick to praise coach Steve Roche for giving her the chance to once again prove herself in the Westfield W-League. Having previously played under Roche at the Mariners back in 2008/09, Camilleri says it’s his continued faith in her that has given her the drive to shine in a Wanderers jersey.
“Rochey came and selected me for the Mariners, so he’s given me a chance. And for him to give me another chance this year, I owe a lot to him to give me a chance to shine and show that I’ve got more than just Premier League [top tier of women’s football in NSW] in me.”
After a relatively lacklustre start to their season, Trudy Camilleri has given Western Sydney Wanderers FC the confidence to continue their run against league leaders Canberra United this weekend. Taking on the reigning champions will be no simple task, but if Camilleri and her teammates can show the same determination that saw them overcome Perth Glory, they could well be sitting comfortably within the top half of the table by next week.
