Left: Casey Comets teenager Anna Carmichael, in action against Preston last season, is one of the players who coach Deborah Nichols is hoping steps up for the club in 2008.By Marc McGowan
YOUTH will be the buzz word for the Casey Comets in the Women’s Premier League in 2008.
The off-season retirements of Irena Taseski, Belinda Powell and Emma Bracken have compounded the departures of fellow veterans Sarah Fitzgerald and Lucy Kapusta last year.
The Comets, who missed the finals for the first time in a decade last season, have also lost boom teenager Alex Gummer to the National Training Centre program.
A brutal draw to start the season has not helped either, but Casey coach Deborah Nichols is remaining positive.
“We have more pace in the side and the fresh faces have brought a lot of enthusiasm,” she said.
“Hopefully the young ones will start to reach their potential and build towards being the next generation because the oldies won’t be there forever.
“The next two years are crucial for us because we’ll probably get two more years out of our experienced players and we’ll need the next group to be ready.”
Leading the new wave of players is New South Wales midfield recruit Amanda Aldridge, while last season’s Comets’ reserves’ leading goalscorer Talia Silivesprof will add bite to Casey’s offensive arsenal.
Fifteen-year-old goalkeeper Alice Ryan has been handed the big job of replacing Bracken, who may yet return.
Experienced trio Rachel Lamb, Leigh Terek and Jeni Black will be more vital to the side’s chances than ever, but will need support from the likes of Anna Carmichael, Marcie Algeria, Shuanna Murray and Vanessa Hellar.
The lack of rain and subsequent deteriorated conditions of grounds around the state meant that Football Federation Victoria chose not to have a pre-season cup this year.
Instead the Comets have played a couple of practice games against other sides and some intra-club matches over the past few weeks.
“We’re hoping to make the finals, that’s our goal, but we realise we’re in a rebuilding stage and our draw in the first four weeks is horrendous,” Nichols said.
“In the first four rounds we play four of last year’s five finalists, so those games will certainly set us up and let us know where we’re at.”
Englishman Gavin Spencer-Pitts has taken over the reserves’ coaching post from Bracken, who is now in charge of the under-15s.
The Women’s Premier League kicks off next Tuesday night, with Casey beginning on Wednesday against Ashburton at Darebin International Sports Centre from 8.30pm.
All of the competition’s first-round matches are being played at the venue over the two nights.
The Comets will then back up just four days later against Box Hill Inter at Comets Stadium at 1pm.
Picture: Luke Plummer.
