Graphic: Michael Alesich

The third time’s a charm – or that’s what Melbourne Victory fans will be murmuring to themselves this season.

Victory have bowed out in the semi-finals two years in a row now. In 2018/19, they were beaten by Perth Glory after winning the Premiership, and last year they went down in a match-up against a Sydney FC side they had comprehensively beaten the week before.

This year, they will have their sights firmly set on the Championship. While the league itself undergoes renewal, the stability and culture coach Jeff Hopkins has created over the past four years means Victory look ready for the challenge.

Ins and Outs

It is no surprise that key American imports from last year – Emily Menges and Darian Jenkins – won’t be returning to the club. English forward and fan favourite Natasha Dowie has joined AC Milan, ending five years of Dowie FC.

However, on paper this is a remarkably balanced squad of both old and new names, youth and senior experience. A focus on development in previous years means most of the younger names still have experience, at a high level and at Victory.

Speaking of experience, Hopkins hasn’t had to look far for his recruitment. In line with the theme league-wide, this squad features plenty of National Premier Leagues players making the step up to W-League: Gaby Garton, Natalie Martineau, Kayla Morrison and Catherine Zimmerman. They have all previously played at different clubs in NPL Victoria. In saying that, exempting Morrison who played in Sweden this year, match fitness may be of concern given the lack of NPL in Victoria in 2020.

Gaby Garton playing for Argentina at Cup of Nations, 2019. Photo: Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ins:

  • Claudia Bunge (Northern Lights)
  • Kyra Cooney-Cross (Western Sydney Wanderers)
  • Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne FC)
  • Gabriela Garton (Essendon Royals)
  • Maja Markovski (Melbourne City)
  • Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne FC)
  • Kayla Morrison (Morön Bollklubb)
  • Natalie Tathem (Brisbane Roar)
  • Lisa De Vanna (Fiorentina)
  • Catherine Zimmerman (Calder United)

Outs:

Staying:

Strengths

Many fans and followers will have been wondering how Hopkins will fill the Dowie-shaped hole in Victory’s forward line. While the side doesn’t have an out and out target forward, it does have plenty of attacking threats.

Ayres can fire from long range, De Vanna has smarts and speed in creating opportunities, Catherine Zimmerman joins the squad as a two-time NPL Victoria Golden Boot winner – even midfielders Longo and Jackson can score goals. An abundance of attackers will create an element of surprise and give Hopkins more freedom in trying different formations. Scoring shouldn’t be an issue for Victory.

Challenges

Victory might face some issues down the other end of the park. The area of greatest squad turnover has been Victory’s defence. Emily Menges is not returning, Laura Brock is playing in D1 Arkema for EA Guingamp, while both Jenna McCormick and Teigen Allen have joined Melbourne City.

Keeper Casey Dumont, who had an immense 2019/20 season, is out recovering from an Achilles injury. Melissa Maizels has played in the W-League before, however both her and Gaby Garton join the club from post-locked down Victoria, where match minutes were few and far between. While they will be protected by some excellent defenders, it will be centre backs Claudia Bunge and Kayla Morrison’s debut seasons in the W-League.

Quantity may also be an issue, with only four – possibly five counting the versatile Lia Privitelli – defensive signings. Hopkins will be looking to drill not only his defenders but also the defensive midfielders to ensure they’re not exposed.

Key players

Defence – Angela Beard

As discussed above, the departure of Menges, Brock and McCormick leave big shoes to fill. Angie Beard will be the person to try those shoes on for fit.

Beard has been a stand-out name in her past two years at Victory – her work ethic, attacking abilities and one-on-one defending all impressing. Beard taking on the captain’s armband suggests she might be moving into the role of centre back. It also means she will have much expected of her in terms of consistency and leadership. With 2023 as a huge motivator for young locals, Beard will undoubtedly be putting it all out on the pitch.

Angie Beard. Photo credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Midfield – Kyra Cooney-Cross

Victory have ensured Canberra don’t get the ultimatum on feel-good homecoming stories, with 18-year-old Kyra Cooney-Cross returning from Western Sydney Wanderers to the club where it all began.

Ever since she signed with Victory back in 2017, Cooney-Cross has had buzz, but has   needed time to develop her game. Her successful stint at Wanderers saw her get eleven starts, four goals and three assists, highlighting greater consistency and maturity. It is expected that this season she will make the shift from rising star to established talent. Her attacking instincts and intuitive distribution will nicely compliment Victory’s powerful front-line.

Attack – Lisa De Vanna

Picking a stand-out attacker from this squad is difficult given the range on offer. While her star quality needs no explanation, it is De Vanna’s competitive focus that will position her as a supporting pillar in Victory’s success. Coming to the tail-end of her professional career, De Vanna will no doubt be looking for some silverware to round it all out. While a proven goalscorer, it will be the partnerships and opportunities she creates with other forwards that can drive this attack.

One to watch

Claudia Bunge might be a new name for those this side of the ditch, but the 21 year old has already carved out quite the name for herself back in New Zealand. She is a centrally oriented defender who has come through the Football Ferns youth pathways and notched up significant international experience. Most recently, she won the award of New Zealand’s Young Footballer of the Year. While one of the youngest in the defensive set-up, her quality indicates she should get decent game time.

Prediction

This Victory squad aren’t looking shabby at all. They should almost certainly reach the top four, but whether they break into the Grand Final is another question altogether. Third time’s a charm, third time’s a charm…

ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
Melbourne based, Canberra bred, Angela began reporting on women's football in 2015. She went on to write her honours thesis on footballers' personal branding on social media and is currently involved in community club governance.
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