In 2023, the Preston Lions make their long-awaited debut in the NPLW after dominating the VPLW. , can their stretch of domination continue or will they struggle against the higher level of competition?
The Lions were a class above in season 2022, claiming the VPLW seniors and reserves premierships.
Preston head coach Dan Foden said the Lions’ promotion to NPLW would be “terrific” for the club’s profile.
“The club had invested in the right infrastructure; the girls were given everything they needed to be successful,” he said.
“I don’t think I have been told no since I have been at Preston, they have invested a lot into the program.
“All of these things cost money right, but they have turned around and said yes to everything that I have needed and invested in the women’s department a lot.
“We put together a really strong group and whenever you have got four out of the five top goal scorers in the league you are bound to go far.”
Preston was dominant in attack and defence last season, ending the season with a +69-goal difference.
Striker Rachel Stirton claimed the golden boot with 28 goals, while Keiwa Hieda (15 goals) and Miri Nishimura (13 goals) were also among the top five scorers.
“When you have got so many top goal scorers in your group many teams will find it difficult to play against you,” Foden exclaimed.
“Rachel has developed unbelievably in such a small span of time compared to players who have played their whole life.
“She is a very difficult player to play on because she is so powerful.
“I don’t think it matters what competition she plays in she will always be a handful.”
Foden believed his players were capable of playing at the NPLW standard, they just needed a chance to prove themselves.
“We have a host of players who were playing at NPLW clubs but who were not getting the opportunities that they deserve,” he said.
“They have that opportunity with me and now for them, they can go back up to NPLW and prove that they are good enough.
“We have a group of players who have got NPLW football under their belt football and then you sprinkle in all of our new signings here and there and all of a sudden we go from being a little stagnant in the back end of last year where we were just winning games because we had better players to now, we have changed a little bit and now we have to compete at a higher level.”
Foden thought the NPW has needed some fresh blood for a long time and the promoted sides (Preston, Boroondara, Southern United) can only be good for the competition.
“I think the teams that are coming up are going to be organised and whenever you play a side like that on a small ground, they are going to be difficult to play against,” he said.
“They may not win every game, but they will make it hard for teams to play.
“The decision to bring the three clubs up will allow young players to get an opportunity at the top level that they wouldn’t have previously, which can only be a good thing."
Despite having such a successful campaign last season, Foden conceded he would need to evolve to compete in the top NPLW sides.
“I would love to make it to the finals, but I don’t know if we will,” he said.
“We will probably have to change things a little bit because we are not going to be as dominant as we were this coming season because the standard of opposition is much higher.
“We are going to have to work much harder to get opportunities on goal and opportunities are going to be much fewer and far between.
“There are going to be some tactical tweaks going into next year depending on the game.”
The Club has added to its already forward line over the off-season with Melanie Camilleri joining the squad alongside Paula Mitchell joining from Wagga Wagga Wanderers in the ACT.
Preston has also strengthened their midfield depth with Georgia Henderson (Modbury Vista), Kara Mitrevski (Alamein) Eleanor Jones (Canberra Olympic), Belinda Stojcevski (Calder United) and Delaney Lindahl (Boroondara) rounding out the off-season recruits.
Preston Lions President David Cvetkovski said it was an “honour and privilege” to create that aspiration for our girls to be able to play at the highest level.
“We have worked so hard to get our Women’s teams up to where they are today
“We worked our way from the State Leagues to VPLW to the highest level.
“From an aspiration perspective, it really creates a good program and pathway for us.”
Cvetkovski said the promotion presents the club with an opportunity to showcase its female program more than ever before.
“It is great exposure to create a real program for our junior girls,” he explained.
“Participation was up 40% and we won the senior and reserves premierships, we are so proud of our
“Next year many of our games will feature men and women, we will have doubleheaders.
“We can’t wait to expose our women’s program to four-five thousand people which is what we are getting at the moment.”
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Alamein v Preston Lions
Round 2: BYE
Round 3: Preston Lions v Calder United