The Wanderers off-season has provided a handful of smart signings to enhance a squad list full of the tenacity and grit that embodies the spirit of Western Sydney. WSW have added much needed depth and experience in the heart of defence, another speedster in attack and reinforcements in midfield.
The team might not bring the same flash and big names as some in the competition, but they will be a side capable of frustrating opponents and causing upsets. Realistically they’re not a favourite to crack the top four, however anything is possible for Catherine Cannuli’s first season in charge.
Squad ins and outs
INS
Teigen Allen (Melbourne City)
Ashlie Crofts (Canberra United)
Bianca Galic (Canberra United)
Sheridan Gallagher (Illawarra Stingrays)
Clare Hunt (Canberra United)
Sham Khamis (Macarthur Rams)
Liz Ralston (Sydney FC)
Malia Steinmetz (Perth Glory)
OUTS
Isabel Gomez (Wellington Pheonix)
Sarah Hunter (Sydney FC)
Aideen Keane (Perth Glory)
Chloe Middleton (Canberra United)
Courtney Nevin (Melbourne Victory)
Courtney Newbon (Perth Glory)
Susan Phonsongkham (Perth Glory)
The Coach – Catherine Cannuli
It would be a struggle to find someone who bleeds red and black more than Catherine Cannuli. One of the club’s most loyal servants has finally been handed the head coaching reins after playing for the Wanderers, then becoming an assistant coach in 2017.
There’s little doubt Cannuli’s knowledge of the club and the competition will be incredibly handy for the Wanderers, and this appointment means the club isn’t jumping into the deep end without a life jacket. Instead, it’s Cannuli’s time to shine and show the competition what Western Sydney is all about.
Cannuli looks to be building from the foundations of last season. The new signings aren’t about reinventing the wheel, rather solidifying what was working and patching up the parts that weren’t.
Key defender – Liz Ralston
A bucket load of experience has arrived into the heart of the Wanderers defence, and Ralston is a defender who formed formidable partnerships during her time at Sydney FC. She will be further complimented by the addition of Clare Hunt, which provides the ingredients for a solid centre back pairing, one the Western Sydney faithful can trust to keep things neat and tidy at the back.
Ralston is composed, reads the game well and can win a crunching tackle. Last season was marred by injuries, but a fresh start on the other side of Sydney could be the spark that sees Ralston return as an ever reliable presence in the backline.
Key midfielder – Libby Copus-Brown
Last season Libby Copus-Brown showed she was more than at home with what was then her new club, the Wanderers. Copus-Brown is a busy player who provides more than what’s expected from a box-to-box midfielder. She will pop up from anywhere, win the ball and feed it through to create an attacking opportunity.
The hard working midfielder has shown time and time again that she is a consistent performer in the A-League Women’s competition. Copus-Brown will form the engine room for the Wanderers alongside the equally tenacious Olivia Price.
Key forward – Erica Halloway
Erica Halloway was restricted to a bit part role last season as she was still returning to full fitness, following an ACL injury suffered during the 2019-20 campaign. Halloway was in some of the best form of her career before the lay-off – now the veteran forward is back to lead an attack with lots of potential. Playing on the flank and with pace to burn, Halloway thrives in space and is able to whip a ball into the area.
What Halloway brings off the field is equally as important as what she will bring on it. She has the ability to unify a squad and the experience to know what it takes to keep going if form does slip.
Young player to watch – Bryleeh Henry
There’s no doubt there is a buzz going around about Bryleeh Henry. The teenager has had a bonkers offseason, not only receiving a Matildas call up in October, but also gaining her first two caps against Brazil. Now she’s on the cusp of leading the Wanderers frontline, and with that responsibility comes the opportunity to be a game winner.
Henry burst onto the scene last season, scoring two goals against Melbourne City in Round 12 and looking incredibly close to bagging more in her other appearances. With technical skills to match her speed, the experience of Matildas camps and an A-League Women’s season under her belt mean the 18 year old is only going to improve.
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