After finally collecting a W-League championship medal, Melbourne Victory captain Steph Catley cannot wait to join up with Portland Thorns, and play alongside some of the best players in the world.
The move was confirmed earlier in February, but the left sided wing-back can finally look ahead to her move to the USA with only the small matter of Matildas duty to distract her.
“[I’m] so excited,” Catley said.
“It’s such a massive opportunity and I’m looking forward to the high intensity training’s and obviously world class players so I can’t wait to get over there.
“It doesn’t seem real just yet. I’ve got a lot of national team stuff to go to first including Cyprus Women’s Cup and Asian Cup and stuff like that. That’s my focus at the moment and as soon as that’s done I’ll look forward to going to Portland.”
Portland’s roster includes the likes of Nadine Angerer, Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair just to name a few, and there’s no doubt Catley just adds to the star-studded list.
The Victory skipper was quick to praise Angerer in particular, and can’t wait to join up with the current Ballon d’Or winner.
“[Angerer]’s an incredible keeper,” she said.
“She gets to things where you’re already celebrating because you think it’s going in so she’s obviously world class, best player in the world this year.
“She’s going over to Portland too so I’m pretty excited to join her over there.”
Another plus side to joining Portland is their huge support base, which averages over 13,000 spectators at every home game.
Such numbers are unheard of in women’s club football around the world and Catley knows that it can only be an advantage to play in front of such a crowd.
“Yeah I’ve heard about them, it just adds to the buzz,” she said.
“You walk out to a home crowd and you come out after half time and you see them all getting up and around and it just really it helps drive you if you’re tired.
“You forget about it because they’re there to see you win so obviously big crowds do help.”
Catley’s move to Portland will impact Sandringham in the Women’s Premier League, with the wing-back playing her part in Sandringham’s run to the finals in last year’s successful campaign.
She was grateful for the opportunity given to her by the club, and will definitely miss playing for them, but is sure that they can continue on their success without her.
“Sandy’s been a good home club for me in the WPL,” she said.
“They obviously won last year so they’re going to be absolutely fine.
“They’ve been brilliant for me and obviously I’m going to be a bit busy this year so I wouldn’t have been able to play but best wishes for them [but] they’ll be fine.”