Scottish international Jennifer Beattie says she’s enjoying life in the W-League with Melbourne City after joining the club in early November.
Linking up with her new teammates ahead of Round 3, she’s since fitted in seamlessly into the backline to help maintain the side’s winning start to its inaugural season in the competition.
City kept its perfect record intact with a 2-0 win over Adelaide United last week, making it five consecutive wins to firmly entrench itself at the top of the ladder.
Playing at centre-back alongside Laura Alleway, Beattie linked well with her and defensive midfielder Aivi Luik to free up Steph Catley and Rebekah Stott on the defensive flanks.
“All the girls are really pleased with the fifth win from five, everyone seems to be pretty happy with the performance, Adelaide were pretty tough to break down in the first half, towards the end of the it I think we controlled the game and we did well, we’re happy with that,” Beattie said.
“One of our main focuses was to keep it tight in the central areas and with myself and Loz [Laura Alleway] there’s lots of communication, and then when you’ve got that quality on the wing you know you want to free them up, give them time on the ball and all the space.
“Steph and Stotty they love to get forward and they love to support the play, so if we can keep tight from the middle and allow them to do that we’re happy to do so.”
The Scottish international, on loan from sister club Manchester City, joins a host of internationals – including countrywoman Kim Little and former Melbourne Victory players Rebekah Stott and Jess Fishlock – in Melbourne.
A player with almost 100 caps for Scotland, she praised the quality of the league, saying it was growing a larger reputation overseas for attracting higher calibre players.
“We’ve got such high quality coming into this team and the girls have obviously been training really hard up until now and its showing now, were enjoying our football and enjoying every game,” she said.
“There’s a lot of quality in the team from the girls that start and the girls that come off the bench.
“It’s definitely a growing league, more and more players want to play here and I’m really happy with the partnership that’s been set up with Manchester City back home and Melbourne back here.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and it’s a really great set up and I’ve really loved every minute so far and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.
Despite her accomplished goalscoring ability while predominantly playing in the backline or in midfield, Beattie confirmed her primary position in the side this season would be centre half.
“I think for myself moving forward, centre half is where i’ve been playing the last couple of years and that’s where I enjoy playing,” she said.
“But I guess that’s a question more for Joe [Montemurro]. I’m more than happy to be on the field and support the play in any way I can, and I enjoy my position [in the side].