On their eve of the Westfield W-League 2016/17 campaign we hear the players’ opinions on who will shine this season.
We asked some of the stars of the Westfield W-League who they think will be crowned champions and if they have a tip for a rising young star. This is what they had to say:
Rachael Quigley (Adelaide United)
Who is your tip to be champions (and no, you can’t say your own team!)?
I have to go with (Melbourne) City where I was last year. The players they have, and just the culture the club has is a massive thing.
What about a rising star?
I think Alex Chidiac. She was at City last year as well, and now being at Adelaide she will step up I think and really rip it up this year.
Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
Champions: Melbourne City I think are the strongest team on paper. They are so hard to beat especially now that they have stolen our goalkeeper! Also Sydney have a lot of their old players available again and look strong.
Rising star: From our own squad I would say Grace Maher who is now away with the Young Matildas. She has stepped up and grown as a leader.
Steph Catley (Melbourne City)
Champions: There are a couple (of challengers). Sydney have a great base of home-grown talent, and they are very strong even without any internationals as yet. Canberra have an amazing frontline and will be very dangerous, Adelaide have recruited really well too, so it is going to be a great season.
Rising star: We have a fair few youngsters that have impressed at training. Jacynta Galabadaarachchi is only 15, but technically is brilliant. So she is only very young and still learning but if she gets some game time I think everyone will be impressed.
Gema Simon (Newcastle Jets)
Champions: I would have to say City again.
Sam Kerr (Perth Glory)
Champions: My first tip is Perth Glory, but other than that I would have to say City, but I really like the look of Sydney.
Rising star: We have heaps of good young players, like Roisin (Connolly) who does really well at training. But you don’t know how they will go making the big step into the W-League.
Kyah Simon (Sydney FC)
Champions: You can never write off last year’s champions, and obviously they edged us at the post last year. It will be a really interesting W-League this season and I have the sense that every team will really be up for the challenge.
Caitlin Cooper (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Champions: I can’t go past City, they are so strong, and Sydney as well.
Rising star: We had Ellie (Carpenter) last year but I would have to say Jada (Whyman). She will obviously be a Matilda in the near future. She is a top keeper and will be pushing Casey (Dumont) for top spot.
