Melbourne Victory W-League hosted a Q&A with captain Steph Catley on their Facebook page yesterday evening, which was also a first for Australian sport.
If you were unable to view the session live, we have compiled some of the highlights to save you time scrolling through all the questions!
Q) Suellen Drebing – We love you Catley, how many goals you going kick on Sunday?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Suellen, the only goal I want to achieve is winning the W-League trophy!
Q) David Willis – Which player from the Roar are you most worried about on Sunday?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi David, they have a lot of good players but when she’s firing Katrina Gorry can really influence a game.
Q) Claudine Giuliano – Hi Steph, are you doing anything different to prepare for this year’s grand final as opposed to last years?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Claudine, no not really. Trying to keep my routine normal, but obviously it’s a pretty special week so I tend to think about everything a little bit
Q) Troy Lochead – What do you think of Dave as a coach and will he be missed at Melbourne?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Troy, Dave’s a brilliant coach. We’ve all learnt a lot from him and he’ll do really well at Bristol. He’ll be missed.
Q) Ashlee Middling – What inspired you to start playing soccer!?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Ashlee, my brother played and I copied everything that he did.
Q) Cath Haycox Sattler – Who inspired you to wear the number 7?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Cath, Lenny Hayes inspired me to wear the number. He’s my sporting idol.
Q) Julia Mezzatesta – How does it feel to be a captain getting your team to a grand final?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Julia, it feels amazing and I can’t wait to get out there already!
Q) Cath Haycox Sattler – What is your proudest moment In Soccer?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Cath, making my Matildas – Australian National Women’s Football Team debut when I was 17.
Q) Maddie Latham – Who are you most excited to play against in the NWSL?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Maddie, probably Jess Fishlock so I can get her back for the bun comment!
Q) Cheryl Downes – Who do you think is the most important or influential female football player in Australia’s history? How about Victoria’s history as well?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Cheryl, Victorian-based it would have to be Melissa Melissa Bubs Barbieri. She was the only Victorian in the national team as I was growing up and I really looked up to her
Q) Mark Younes – Hey Steph, Do you have any regrets joining Melbourne Victory? Why/Why Not? And which team mate is the most fun to be around?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Mark, absolutely no regrets. Probably Bri Davey! She’s my best friend and I suppose she’s pretty funny…
Q) Christina Katopis – How has women’s soccer changed since you started playing?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Christina, the general pace, skills and overall standard of women’s football in Australia has increased dramatically since I first started in the W-League.
Q) Isabelle Hourigan – What’s your weekly training regime apart from soccer training?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Isabelle, I do gym 2-3 times a week, core stability every day and usually a skills or running session by myself.
Q) Ali Soufan – Were you always a left winger/back or did you play in other positions as a kid?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Ali, when I was really little I used to run all over the field but always ended up on the left wing.
Q) Sarah Groube – Who’s your favourite W-League player outside of Victory? And who is your favourite Thorns’ player?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Sarah, my favourite W-League player is Caitlin Foord and favourite Thorns player to watch is Tobin Heath.
Q) Daniel Siketa – How much do you feel the team has learnt from last season’s grand final loss? Do you feel you are perhaps better placed this time around? Good luck and all the best for the weekend! We’ll all be supporting the team!
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Daniel, last year I felt we let the occasion get the better of us. This year we are a lot more experienced and know how to deal with the pressure of a big game.
Q) Jacqueline Hinshelwood-Brown – What’s your best memory of playing for the victory? And what are you looking forward to most going to America and playing for the thorns?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Jacqueline, I’m most looking forward to a different style of football and playing in front of huge crowds in the US!
Q) Sam Aukland – Favourite A-League player?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Sam, it would have to be two players: Adama Traore and Scott Galloway. Full backs!
Q) Scott Pollard – Do you like playing for victory in the w league and how fast can you get a goal?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Scott, I once scored in the first 20 seconds of a W-League game against Adelaide. I’m sure someone has scored one faster than me though!
Q) Lyn Giccominato – Will you be coming back next season for Melb Vic?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Lyn, yes I will be back in time from Portland for next season.
Q) Marcela Martinez – What has been your favourite memory made at Melbourne Victory?
A) Stephanie Catley – Marcela, probably making the grand final for the first time last season after winning in penalties against Perth Glory
Q) Elly Kirlis – Hi Steph. Congrats for making the grand final. You’re one of my favourite players. What has been some highlights about this year and do you do something weird before the game that no-one knows?
A) Stephanie Catley – Hi Elly, some of the football we’ve been playing this season has been really enjoyable and obviously making the grand final now is the highlight! I like to kiss my dog before a game.
Stephanie Catley: Thanks for all the questions guys! Really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to see you there on Sunday at Lakeside Stadium #SilenceTheRoar
The whole Q&A can be found here: