‘Ready to go’: Canberra United coach Vicki Linton and new captain Kendall Fletcher

Canberra United’s season kicks off today against Adelaide United. Coach Vicki Linton and newly appointed captain Kendall Fletcher had this message on Monday for the competition and for their fans: “We’re ready to go”.

“We’re excited that we get to play; we’ve had six weeks of pre-season which is longer than normal. The season start date is later than normal so everyone’s itching to go and we can’t wait”, said Linton.

“Adelaide is a very settled team. The majority of their players played not only last year but for a number of years; a lot of them play in the Young Matildas and youth international teams, and they’ve played together in those South Australia development programs for many years, so they’ve got really good combinations. They’re well organised and have a certain style of play. They’ll be disciplined in their roles […] and will be hard to break down.

“So we need to be careful to be on guard and to play well to break them down and prevent them from scoring so that we can get a result.

“Two home games [Adelaide United and Melbourne City] and the away game [Brisbane Roar] – it’s a fairly tough start to the season but we’re ready. It’s good to get a couple of home games in first.

“Melbourne City is a bit of a different one, […] their squad is very different this year. Brisbane seems to have retained the most experience, so they’re going to be tough, our third game in nine days in Brisbane. 

“But at the moment that’s in the back of my mind and I’m really concentrating on Adelaide.” 

New captain Fletcher heads up a three-prong leadership group, with Michelle Heyman and Grace Maher named as vice-captains. With 34 appearances in green, most recently in the  2017/18 season, Fletcher is grateful to be given the opportunity to lead the side.

“I like to talk, I like to lead, I like developing players around me. It sharpens me and makes me a better player, so I really enjoy that process,” said Fletcher.

“It’s an honour and it’s really a privilege to be able to do that. I think as a leader, you’re there to serve everyone else and to help bring the group together and figure out what the team needs and what a player needs and help a cohesion happen.

“I’ve got some experience to bring; I’ve played for the club before so I understand being in green and part of the Canberra family. I’m looking forward to bringing some consistency, some experience, and some good play hopefully.

“We have a great leadership group in the three of us and even beyond, there’s so many girls that have that quality and that know the club – I think you get that with Grace and Shell, this is their home and where they have played for so many years. 

“I think it’s a really good balance and mix between the three of us, and that’s important in a team, having different voices – you respect each other and have those conversations.”

Linton added that all three bring different qualities to the role, and that her preference is to play Fletcher in a position where she can have the greatest impact on the game. While final selections for the first game were yet to be announced, Linton did say that Fletcher is particularly effective in a defensive midfield role. 

“Kendall is an exceptional professional and leads by example every day, setting the standard and living out the team’s values. She has a wealth of experience that she willingly shares with her teammates with the desire to help them learn and grow”, said Linton in Canberra United’s captaincy announcement.

Adding to the already strong local connections in the squad, it has also been announced that train-on players Emma Ilijoski (previously a Gungahlin United junior who has just spent a year in the NSW NPLW competition with the NWS Koalas and who also took part in the recent Matildas Talent Identification Camp) and Sasha Grove (five seasons with Canberra United Academy and a recent addition to the Future Matildas programme) have been elevated into the squad proper.

“As a youngster, coming out to CU games was practically the highlight of the summer, and now getting the opportunity to re-live that feeling on the pitch is super exciting,” said Grove in the Canberra United announcement.

“The squad has a lot of depth and experience, so from the get-go, I’ve been learning so much. This kind of environment really elevates your understanding of the game, and having people like Grace, Michelle and Kendall, who have so much experience, makes it so much easier.”

Ilijoski said in the announcement that it was a dream come true to be elevated to the squad and that she was looking forward to contributing to the team. 

“I’m so excited to be playing and learning amongst such talented players who I’ve looked up to. I’m really thankful to Vicki and the rest of the staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity as well as my teammates for bringing out the best in me each session.”

Linton added that while both players are young, they add a lot of energy to the group, and their elevation was due to what both players have done in the last six weeks and how they have taken everything in.

“Emma is a left back, a genuine left-sided defender, and we don’t have any other natural left-footed players, so that’s a point of difference for her. Sasha is an attacking player; I feel I can play her in most attacking positions. She has amazing fitness levels and engines. She can run all day and makes very good runs forward.”

“So it’s maturing them into W-League level play. They’re confident individuals and it’s great seeing them flourish in this environment.”

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