After falling at the final hurdle last year, FC Bulleen Lions are determined to go one better in 2023 and claim the NPLW Championship.
Caitlin Friend is back on board as Head Coach at the Lions and was pleased the playing list has stuck together after last year’s promising season.
“We have retained pretty much everyone, we have only lost one player through retirement,” she explained.
“I am really happy to keep most of the squad together from last year since we made the Grand Final.
“We have a few A-League W players who won’t be in our squad until May so it has been a little bit difficult to juggle the lower numbers and work with the players we have right now but the girls have been awesome and growing every week.
“I am super excited to see what they produce on the field when the season starts.”
FC Bulleen put in a promising performance in the 2023 Community Shield, going down to the reigning NPLW Champions 3-2.
In the off-season, Bulleen has recruited defenders Katie Beck (Catawba College, US College), Ava Piazza (FNSW Institute, New South Wales), and Faith Stephenson (Olympic FC, Queensland) who will add some depth to an already impressive line-up.
“It was definitely a focus in the off-season to bolster that area of the field because last season we didn’t have much cover,” Friend said.
“They are young, but I think they are extremely coachable and I think they have a load of potential.
“We have a lot of A-League forwards coming in and I thought it was really important to try and recruit some international defenders, so I am excited to throw them in the deep end and see how they go."
After experiencing a taste of senior football last season, Friend believed midfielders Aroha Little, Alana Burn, and defender Caitlin O'Bryan were set for breakout seasons.
“There were a couple of players last year that got golden opportunities because we go quite a few injuries and a few players who had to go overseas so they were able to get golden experience,” she said.
"Caitlin O'Bryan for example and Aroha Little have just come in with this experience and sort of ready-to-get-it-done mentality and they have just been outstanding for me.
“Alana (Burn) who we had previously brought over from Calder is growing into a really big leadership role at the club, I think the experience she gained from last season has prepared her for the season coming.”
Friend didn’t want to look too far ahead, however wanted to ensure her team was able to be in a positive position once their reinforcement arrive later in the season.
“Right now, our target is to make sure that the squad that we have available right now is getting points and making sure we are contenders until our A-League W players come in,” she said.
“I think we have a talented squad and come three-quarters of the way through the season when we have everyone in for a few weeks and start to get that cohesion in the squad I think we will be at our strongest.”
After a tough run of pre-season matches, Friend was adamant her side would head into every match this season with the same mindset.
“Every team is going to be tough, we played Southern United, Bayside and Alamein in our pre-season and we were challenged so I don’t think we can underestimate any team,” she declared.
“I think the new teams like Preston are taking it very seriously and are very excited to be in the NPLW and have recruited quite well.
“If we can pinch points from Boroondara (Round 1) that would be great for us because I don’t think we should underestimate them at all.
“Heidelberg (Round 2) obviously had a very successful season last year and Jono (Clement is a very good coach, so I think they will be a big challenge in the league, especially in the first seven to eight rounds.
“(FV) Emerging (Round 3) I think they will have a younger squad, but I think they will have a number of players who are dedicated to the game which is very threatening as well.
“All three games to start the season are huge games and I honestly think any point is a great point in this league this year.”
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Bulleen v Boroondara
Round 2: Heidelberg v Bulleen
Round 3: Bulleen v FV Emerging