Coach: Yanni Galanis
2014 finish: 1st State League One A newly promoted side may be expected to harbor modest objectives of avoiding relegation, with perhaps the view of securing an honorable mid-table finish. Caulfield Cobras blew that theory away, clinching the Women’s State League 1 by two points. But perhaps it was second-nature for the perennial overachievers, who repeated a similar feat the prior season, and the season before that. 2014 marked a hat-trick of promotions for Cobras, with the end reward being a first ever campaign in the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League.
The 2014 season commenced with a 5-5 draw against North Geelong and ended with a 5-0 demolition of Preston Lions, consisting of only five games (four draws and one loss) that didn’t yield three points.
New Signings: To contextualise Caulfield’s new signings, their two centre backs Stephanie Woods and Ruby Bingham – crucial in their promotion – have departed, with the latter set to temporarily return for a short stint from her American off-season with West Virginia University.
In their place come new additions from other clubs that were playing reserves, with former Sandringham player Cassandra Mayston, previous Brighton Jets and EAP player Edita Mackaj, and Hollie McDonald, once at Casey, all joining the club, with coach Yanni Galanis saying, “we believe they can develop into good WPL players”.
Jamie Brown, sister of Ashlee Brown, has also joined. The former NTC goalkeeper is touted to play in the outfield, with Galanis reserving special praise for the youngster, saying “her improvement over the last few months has been fantastic. She has been playing futsal on the field and her control of the ball from both feet is exemplary.”
Players to Watch: Anita Les, a quick left footer with an eye for goal, played at the EAP five years ago and has been at Caulfield for the last four seasons, playing a prominent role in the Cobras’ recent successes. Striker Alex Vasilopoulos brings previous WPL experience to the side and is a traditional number 9, strong on the ball with both feet and capable of good link up play at the front.
A curious development will be Danielle Jackson, with the tall playmaker shifting to the centre of defence. Her aerial ability and reading of the game, coupled with the Cobras’ current shortage of playing stocks at the back, has forced the positional change.
READ MORE > Newly promoted Cobras to add venom to WPL
What to expect in 2015: Despite enjoying a dream run in the lower leagues for a number of years now, the newly-promoted Cobras are under no illusions about the challenges coming into the 2015 season, knowing that the WPL is a whole new kettle of fish. The top-end quality of the league will provide the newcomers a mammoth challenge to survive their first season at the top, but it’s a challenge the ambitious club has been dreaming of.
Galanis will have his work cut out in organising and motivating his troops, who may probably for the first time experience more lows than highs in a season. It doesn’t help that his two key defensive cogs have departed, with squad depth a potential issue coming into the season.
Nevertheless, survival isn’t out of the question, and this tight-knit squad knows how to win games and pull off the improbable. Modest objectives of avoiding relegation, with perhaps the view of securing an honorable mid-table finish.