Image: Rachel Bach
Coach: Sinisa Cohadzic
2016 finish: 2nd (semi-final defeat to Galaxy United)
Summary: 2016 was a year of close but no cigar for Alamein, who suffered penalty heartbreak in both the NPLW and Team App Cup semi-finals. Nonetheless a busy year for Sinisa Cohadzic’s side.
Ins: Erin Hudson (Bayside), Marianna Anthony (Bayside), Jamie Williams (Box Hill), Amy Jackson (Melbourne City), Caitlin Doeglas (Perth Glory), Ashleigh Lefevre (NTC), Jasmina Pedic (Box Hill), Ali Baker (Bulleen Lions), Joey Cartwright (Heidelberg United), Kelsey Minton (Berwick City), Marielle Pastor (UC Davis), Amy Marron (USA), Janna Lawson (Cobram Roar), Emma Checker
Outs: Jesse Kotsikas (Bayside), Britt Thomas (South Melbourne), Emma Runnalls (Bayside), Harriet Cordner, Sienna Fogarty (Bayside), Annabelle Gibney, Alyssa Blewonski, Melina Ayres (South Melbourne), Hannah Keane, Olivia Edwards (Bulleen Lions), Amy Malander (Bayside), Izzy Gee, Cassandra Zaffina (South Melbourne), Larissa Crummer
Re-signed: Maria Patrikis, Holly Richardson, Anita Les, Cristina Cardaci, Christine Pfeiffer, Rhea Schreuder, Melissa Maizels, Amy Kane
***
Player Q&A: Maria Patrikis and Anita Les
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Pre-season has been hard work, we’ve been pushed to the max and have had practice games nearly every week. We didn’t get the chance to go anywhere with the team as the pre-season has been short this year due to the season starting in Feb.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
The results of our pre-season games have been promising. As a group we are excited to see how we will go during the season.
How are the new signings settling in?
Amazingly! Really everyone is settling in well. We are a pretty welcoming squad with unique personalities and all the girls have literally made everyone feel comfortable since day dot whether being a new or existing player.
Who are the Alamein players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
There are a few, Mari (Pastor) and Amy (Marron), both our internationals, are fantastic players as well as our W-League signings of Caitlin (Doeglas), Emma (Checker) and Amy J (Jackson). They all just have experience and are quality people on and off the field. We’d say that everybody is equal, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, each player has their individual talents and they are utilised either way.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
Amy Kane is a character, can always count on her to make us laugh.
But we all have our personalities and they just fit so well together… honestly! It’s a given that someone will make you laugh, even if it’s Sinisa falling over demonstrating a practice drill at training (sorry!)
How’s Sinisa Cohadzic been preparing the squad?
We don’t want to give too much away about Sinisa but we should say that his expectations and standards are high. He’s passionate and that’s what all the girls appreciate about him, he’s always pushing us and ensuring that we better ourselves and play the best football that we can. He’s prepared us well in ensuring that the Alamein philosophy is continued and bettered for this season to come not only for our seniors but our 18’s and junior squads too as they are, and will be, a big part of our success.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
We are looking forward to taking on South Melbourne as they have some good signings and are new to the NPLW.
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
Calder was definitely a standout because of their experience with one another for many years. They are a team who obviously work hard and push themselves beyond the 90 minutes. We think they’ll be a good challenge for us.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
Certainly the goal for us this year is to win the league. We were so unlucky not to make the final last year and the feeling was just gutting after all the hard work and effort we put in. The support from the club, parents and players is just phenomenal on and off the field and we feel as if we owe it to them to have the trophy in their cabinet.
What’s one headline we may see about Alamein this season?
‘Alamein dash to success’