Football Tasmania’s Womens’ Super League kicks off this weekend and Olympia F.C. Warriors goalkeeper Jenna Farrow fronted the press today to discuss their Round 1 clash againt South Hobart FC at Warrior Park.
“We didn’t think we were going to get a season so a great feeling to finally be back”, Farrow said.
Olympia had to settle for a 2nd place finish in last season’s epic title race with the now Clarence Zebras, and Farrow says there is still that burning feeling in some of the team that they couldn’t get the job done.
“Obviously we have had a big list and turnaround from last year,” she said. “So we really want to win the league just like any team wants to.There is that feeling, but we have some new girls and we are trying some new things. We know it’s a long process.”
Warriors have brought back in the services of defender Maddie Black and midfielder Olivia Bomford, and Farrow believes this will boost the squad.
“We have had some good pickups,” she said. “We had Zoe Haralampopoulos but now she is back in Adelaide. That is a big loss for us. We are working towards and trying some new formations.
“It’s great having Black and Bomford back. They bring a lot of experience and cohesiveness. Having Maddie in the defence we have a really good relationship together.
“We know we have to play at our best if we are going to beat Clarence Zebras.”
Warriors’ first test will be South Hobart FC at Warrior Park this Sunday.
“After having a bit more time to gel as a team, we are really looking forward to it,” Farrow said. “To make a big impact, and make a statement at the start of the season.
“Personally I think they play good football. They are a young team and they seem to play well every time we play them.
“We know if we play well we will get the result hopefully. It is the start but we are pretty confident going into Sunday.”
Olympia got their season rolling with a 4-0 win over Ulverstone SC in the Statewide Cup at Warrior Park last weekend.
“The game was a good feeler on how we are going and how we are progressing since the COVID-19 break,” Farrow said.
“Ulverstone did beat us last year at their home and they have obviously had a big list turnaround. They lost a few players to Devonport Strikers. We did some things right but we know we have a lot to work on.”
Farrow touched on how she views the game from the keeper’s point of view.
“It’s very hard,” she said. “When are you playing some harder teams you are pretty much switched on the entire game. It can be easier to switch off when you play teams that don’t see much of the ball.
Zebras look to be the team to chase this season but Farrow doesn’t want her Warriors taken lightly when it comes to the title.
“We shouldn’t be underestimated and we have got a good team,” she said. “We are ready to give the whole season a bit of a surprise. It has seemed to be a bit more of ‘Zebras are going to win this year’ so we are just really keen to get out there.
“To make a statement on the pitch rather than through talking.”
Farrow finished off with admitting that their side became predictable last year.
“This season we have made a big emphasis on trying new things and changing things up,” she said. “Going into game being unpredictable and having more of a mental edge.”
“We know we have to do this different this year in order to beat Zebras. We have been working really hard on the training pitch to do that.”
Article originally published on Take That Game Back and is republished with permission.
