With the W-League season to get underway tomorrow, we thought it was the perfect time to roll out a new weekly segment, with The Corner Flag writers Mark Gojszyk, Sean Ellicott and Jordan Lim all engaging in ‘just a little bit of banter’
For this week, we’ll be discussing the start of the W-League season and how we think the Victory – lead by new coach Joe ‘Pepe’ Montemurro – will go. A first round match against Newcastle Jets tomorrow morning awaits.
Mark Gojszyk (MG): I guess the thing we’re all wondering is does Montemurro have what it takes to be successful at the Victory?
Jordan Lim (JL): Well I guess that’s the big question isn’t it? Having watched his WPL side last month [he coaches the NTC girls side in the Victorian state league], you can firstly see the style of play is going to be positive. There’s a focus on possession, and the back four were all adept at passing out from the back. But mainly – and this is the big task – it’s about how he’s going to keep the dressing room ticking over. He’s already told us he’s a people coach; how’s he going to wrangle up the Victory girls and what’s he going to add?
Sean Ellicott (SE): He’s a great bloke, can confirm. We were all at the Victory season launch as well and I recon Pepe would’ve been so nervous in front of the journo’s. I was speaking to him about it afterwards, you know, because I’m a big shot now.
NOTE: Our mate Sean has gone all ‘Hollywood’ on us after taking an internship at the Melbourne Victory Women’s media department.
JL: I’ll agree with that, he was one of the first people to greet me inside the room. Only met him once before but he shook my hand and knew my name, asked me how I was. Seems like the type of character he is. A people person, and a player’s coach.
SE: Did you exchange some banter?
JL: Should’ve dabbled, maybe for next time.
SE: Breaking news: Melbourne Victory Women’s coach Joe Montemurro shares some banter with an intern.
MG: Maybe Joe only likes talking to men in suits like yourself Sean, not like the rest of us plebs.
NOTE: Sean rocked the semi-formal attire to the Victory season launch, alongside the Di Pietro’s, the Grima’s, the Montemurro’s and the Ng’s
MG: Getting us back on track, do you two think the perennial strugglers Newcastle will again languish near the bottom, especially after Victory pipped two of their foundation players?
SE: Newcastle have never beaten the Victory. They’ve lost seven of the eight games they’ve played in the W-League and to add to that, Victory have scored against Jets more than any other team.
MG: Pen down an opening round win, then?
SE: Some people in the office were a bit unsure about a Victory win, but you’d think so.
NOTE (again): Referring to the offices of the FFV. We at The Corner Flag work out of a bungalow at Mark’s grandma’s rental property in Morewell. We get it Sean, you’re the W-League intern.
JL: When the Victory have poached both their captain and vice-captain, and have ‘that’ record against the Jets; add to that we’re coming off a premiership and you’re talking about Newcastle breaking the hoodoo? No thanks, not having any of it.
SE: Pepe couldn’t have asked for a better opening draw, maybe if the game was at home.
MG: Who were they [at the FFV] tipping to do well? Brisbane and Sydney back to their usual lofty standards? Perth with their signings maybe?
SE: Steph Catley seems to think so. She mentioned something about them off memory in her press conference.
“I mean every team is looking pretty strong at the moment. I think Perth Glory have made some good moves in terms of grabbing some Matilda’s and putting them together. So I think they’re one to definitely look out for.” – Catley
MG: Interesting fact to note too is that over the last two seasons, the champions have finished 3rd/4th. Would we take that this year, given the strength across the comp?
JL: I don’t think internally they’ll be happy with that. I know Pepe has his sights on the title, and I don’t think that’ll be wavering too much. But the squad’s there to compete; there’s been some good signings so we’ll see.
MG: Speaking of which, what do you make of the line-up for tomorrow?
JL: I’m glad to see Quiggers [Racheal Quigley] on the team-sheet. She’ll bring plenty of excitement to the Victory. Some of the goals she scored in the WPL this season were amazing.
MG: It’s a strong squad for mine, minus the big loss of Jess Fishlock. Beattie Goad to have a breakout season.
SE: Definitely championship winning material. The potential and the tools are there but it’s still too early to call. We’ll know a lot more about both the team and the coach by tomorrow afternoon.
Joe Montemurro makes his managerial bow against Newcastle Jets at Magic Park, with kick-off scheduled for 11:00am.
Photo: Anita Milas/Melbourne Victory