Coach: Ricardo Martinez
Home Ground: David Barro Stadium
Brief Overview: The Lions have a proud recent history in women’s football in Victoria, and this was evidenced by the fact that they were granted one of the eight available licences, whilst being allowed to retain their name, logo and colours. In recent years, they have been one of the strongest teams in Victoria, winning the cup in 2014 and enjoying a string of top half finishes in the past three seasons.
As for last season, while they were unable to reach the heights of their 2014 campaign – in which the side enjoyed a second place finish – along with silverware by way of the Team App Cup, 2015 was still a strong season from the Lions. A sixth place finish represented a strong showing in a very even league, although consistency will be the key. Whilst goals flowed often for Bulleen last season, they also had the equal fourth worse defence in the league, conceding 40 goals.
The Lions did make it all the way to the cup final, but ultimately fell in an epic contest 5-3 to the Boroondara Eagles.
Confirmed squad (2015 club in brackets):
- Bella Scott (Bulleen Lions)
- Beattie Goad (Bulleen Lions)
- Tessa Sernio (Bulleen Lions)
- Emily Dolzan (Bulleen Lions)
- Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
- Emily Coppock (Bulleen Lions)
- Dani Gudelj (Bulleen Lions)
- Charlee West (Bulleen Lions)
- Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
- Maddie Stockdale (Bulleen Lions)
- Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
- Alex Natoli (Bulleen Lions)
- Olivia Ellis (Boroondara Eagles)
- Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
- Jamie Pollock (South Melbourne)
- Alison Baker (South Melbourne)
- Lauren Farrugia (South Melbourne)
Pre-season:
Bulleen Lions 1 defeated by Heidelberg United 4
Bulleen Lions 0 defeated by Alamein FC 7
Bulleen Lions defeated by Bayside United
Bulleen Lions 1 defeated Southern United 0
Players to watch: Canadian forward Taryne Boudreau looks to be a standout signing for Bulleen. The equal top-scorer in the league last season – with 25 goals – she will look to add to an already potent attack. Bulleen were the second highest scorers last season, with 70 goals, behind only Boudreau’s Boroondara. Alongside the new signing, Caitlin Friend will be looking to continue her stellar form from last season, which saw her finish in the top 10 scorers in the league, all while playing the unfamiliar role of central midfield enforcer. Emily Dolzan will to look to be a wall at the back for Bulleen, the talented and versatile defender looms as a key cog in the side, whilst Alex Natoli will be hoping that she can bring her own experience to the defensive line for her side after an important role in Melbourne Victory’s W-League campaign.
Coaches comments: “We have been working with limited number of players in pre-season while we have some players participating in W-league, other players are recovering from injures and we are also looking to bring new players to fill some positions. However, the group of girls who have been working in pre-season are really committed and have great work attitude which is what we are expecting from WNPL footballers. One of the great things I have to highlight about the team culture is that the W-League and injured players have came frequently to see the training sessions and we all have the opportunity to introduce and talk each other. That have allowed the players and coaching staff to know more each other.” -Ricardo Martinez
What to expect in 2016: With the overhaul of the WNPL Victoria, both with regards to number of teams, and the teams themselves, look for 2016 to be a strong one for the side from the Veneto Club. Unlike other sides, Bulleen have been able to retain almost their entire squad from 2015, but the big loss of Cassandra Dimovski – who misses the season while holidaying – as well as Lay and Racheal Quigley will be hard to cover. Pollock and Boudreau look to be a fairly even trade, but news about a Lions’ keeper situation is yet to filter through. However, expect for Bulleen to start the season very strongly, as other squads feel their way into the season, and work out their best 11. Realistically, nothing short of a finals berth and another deep cup run should be the goal for the side, despite mixed pre-season form without key personnel.
Photo: Craig Stockdale