This season has seen the biggest shift in the landscape of women’s football in Australia – and most pertinently in Victoria – since the inception of the W-League.
Young attacker Hayley Raso forms part of the change as one of the many new faces plying their trade in the state, joining the navy blue side of Melbourne in pre-season after many of the club’s players departed either to newcomers City or interstate.
After previously featuring for both Brisbane Roar and Canberra United, the Queenslander was one of the standouts on debut in her side’s 1-2 defeat against Perth Glory, where the almost entirely new squad gelled well together to almost see off last year’s premiers.
“Taking the lead is obviously good for us but it’s a disappointing result not even getting a point out of that game,” Raso said.
“Coming up against Perth we know they’re a top side they won the premiership last year, it’s good and it shows we can perform, so hopefully leading on in the season we can come away with some good results.
The Matilda – on loan from Washington Spirit – cites a change of scenery as her motivator for her move to Victory, where she is one of the star players in a team in transition.
With the squad featuring a host of up-and-coming teenagers plucked from the NTC, along with a number of former Australian internationals and experienced players from overseas, Raso says she’s excited to play a key part in guiding Dave Edmonson’s side through a new era.
“[I was] just looking for a change and Melbourne reached out to me so I’ve come down here and I’m really enjoying it,” Raso said.
“Working under Dave [Edmonson] has been great and the girls have been wonderful so I’m really liking it down here.
“It’s very exciting for those young players, we have a lot of experience in our side as well, former Matildas coming back so I think with those young players looking up to those girls it shows the depth we have and they can really work from that.”
The next game for Victory is the inaugural Melbourne derby against crosstown rivals Melbourne City, who look in ominous form already following a 6-0 trouncing of Sydney FC – despite missing overseas stars Jess Fishlock and Kim Little.
City’s depth will be tested further with the departure of key personnel to international duty, and while Raso will also miss the clash as part of the Matildas setup, she’s confident her teammates can earn a result at AAMI Park.
“The Melbourne derby is obviously a big game and hopefully we can get a good crowd coming out to that one,” she said.
“I think it’s disappointing I won’t be playing but our girls can definitely step up I think we showed that today, so hopefully we can come out with a result and really push this season.”