South Melbourne are embarking on a new second half of the WPL season following the arrival of three new players, along with the impending signature of a fourth.
Goalkeeper Frances Land, midfielder Jamie Pollock and fullback Lisa Farquhar have all made appearances for the club already, most recently in the 3-1 home victory over Casey Comets, while attacker Sara Alberici is set to make the switch from South Yarra.
Land won the Women’s State Knockout Cup with Bulleen Lions last season and had since been playing with Richmond SC, but was called up after an injury crisis at Lakeside saw previous custodians Shannel Camilleri, Karlie Leclair and back-up Lauren Farrugia – an outfielder her whole career – all sidelined.
Alberici arrives from South Yarra after being one of the standout players in a challenging season for the newly promoted club, leading the goalscoring charts with four.
“She goes with our blessing and has been great for us, we hope she succeeds at South and shows her ability at the level,” outgoing South Yarra coach Danny Hall said.
However, most intrigue surrounds imports Pollock and Farquhar.
The American Pollock played at University of Georgia in Atlanta and was offered a professional contract in 2012 at Atlanta Beat, but the W-League in the USA disbanded for that year.
She then went on to play for Boston Breakers’ Reserve team, before playing in the USL in Atlanta.
Pollock slots in for Alison Baker, who departs back overseas to be married, with a return date set for August.
Farquhar played at IFK Kalmar in the Elitettan – Sweden’s second division – where she was awarded both the 2014 player of the year and goal of the year.
The Swedish Australian’s father lives in Melbourne, with her time in Australia during the Swedish off-season spent training at Victory W-League, before taking a junior coaching role at Collingwood SC.
“A connection [at Collingwood] asked Soc [coach Socrates Nicolaidis] if he needed players and I was invited to come down to training,” Farquhar said.
“I felt really welcome when I came.
“Swedish teams train almost five days a week, so that’s really intense and everyone’s really fit, but here I think the quality, technique and skills are are still really good here.”
South Melbourne’s next test comes against Sandringham Soccer Club at Lakeside on Saturday.
Image: Amanda Williams/Backline Photography