Image: Man in the Stands
Coach: Rob Giabardo, Bill Mihaloudis
2016 finish: 9th
Summary: It was a tough initiation into life in the NPLW for Southern United but results and performances gradually improved to the point of the club picking up points against top six teams, the kind of momentum they’ll hope to bring into 2017.
Ins: Tayla Evans (Strathdale), Christine Fonua (Heidelberg United), Lisa Fonua (Heidelberg United), Monica Fonua (Heidelberg United), Demi Mihaloudis (Heidelberg United), Samantha Sheldon (South Melbourne), Courtney Hueston (Florida Institute of Technology Panthers, US), Casey Aarons (Alamein FC), Caibiran Deas (Sandringham), Elisabeth Robers (Bayside United), Rachel Stirton (Langwarrin)
Outs: Antonia Niteros (South Melbourne), Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne) Saphri Lines (Bulleen Lions), Brittany Dudley-Smith (Bulleen Lions), Shaunna Murray, Chelsie Selleck, Selena Karlson, Sharnoah Hurley, Daniella Galluccio, Jaye Todd, Kate Leder
Re-signed: Freya Crocker, Natasha Dakic, Candela Ferreyra Bas, Anouk Meereboer, Rebecca Saber, Jess Beddows
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Player Q&A: Candela Ferreyra Bas
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Pre-season has been great. We have been training at Seaford since early November and really have gelled together well in just three months. We started off training twice a week, where we had a practice match vs Calder and lost 5-1 – we were lacking and fitness and it was 1-1 til the 75th minute.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
We started training three times a week in January, played Galaxy in Torquay three weeks ago, lost 1-0. Showed massive improvement in defence/fitness. Couldn’t finish multiple opportunities. Played vs Dandy Thunder NPL under-15 boys two weeks ago. Lost 6-2… they were so quick we couldn’t keep up with their speed, but we did well to hold them up when possible. Saturday night played Bayside – lost 2-1. I wasn’t there so I don’t know why!
How are the new signings settling in?
New signings are settling in well. We are all on the same level and the team has alot of respect for one another, and the encouragement the team is giving new / old players is great, and its making everyone play better as people are helping / encouraging them. We have a better team culture than ever before and we are all motivated and excited for this season
Who are the Southern players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
Courtney Hueston. Our international signing! She’s a gun and it’s such a pleasure to be playing with her.
Rachel Stirton. She was playing for Langy in div 3 and has come to NPL, she was top goalscorer for the league two years in a row. She’s one to look out for.
Rebecca Saber. Played for southern last year. Her switch to striker has made a big change in her game. Standout!
And the Fonua sisters in defence. They are solid and won’t let anything through easily.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
Sammy Sheldon is definitely a character and a half. Always making the team laugh with her clumsiness!
How have Rob Giabardo/Bill Mihaloudis been preparing the squad?
This one’s a secret!
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
South Melbourne!
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
We only got to play three clubs in pre-season. But as always I’m impressed at the fitness and intensity that Calder can carry out for the whole 90 mins.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
Our aim as a team and club is to improve from last year, so anything above what we finished last year is the aim. We can only improve.
What’s one headline we may see about Southern United this season?
‘Southern wins first game of the season’. And definitely more of Southern United girls in the ‘Team of the Week’