The side spent a mere three weeks in the top four, and a lack of urgency at key points saw the side unable to defend their 2016/17 Premiership. Adding a loss at home for the first time against Newcastle, they ended the season with a negative goal differential.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the capital though, the Canberra side saw some great connections with internationals as is often the case, with the brief but exciting return of Kendall Fletcher and Haley Kopmeyer who kept the side in a few games by her fingertips.

There was also some extraordinary young talent on show and emerging in Canberra. Amy Sayer and Taren King particularly impressed, along with more the familiar young faces Ellie Carpenter and Grace Maher. However, Canberra didn’t fare as well as expected, and will no doubt be hoping for more this season.

Both co-captains from Season 10 won’t be on-field in green this year, with Ashleigh Sykes retiring and Michelle Heyman shifting to Adelaide. Maher will also not be returning, heading south to play for Victory, while Caitlin Munoz hasn’t found a spot in the squad. Canberra have no internationals to welcome back from Season 10, with injuries and other life plans the main impediments.

Rachel Corsie has been announced as captain for the side, mirroring her role in the Scottish national team, arriving in Canberra last month. She joins South Africans Refiloe Jane, a midfielder and national team captain, and forward Rhoda Mulaudzi, along with guest Irish Denise O’Sullivan as international signings.

“When I first got here I expected nobody to know who I was. You have to earn their trust, you have to show that you respect them and you think that they deserve to be here. We start on a level playing field, and you hope that they learn to see that you can add value to them as I expect them to add value to me,” Corsie said.

Heather Garriock has filled gaps left by the exodus with local and emerging national talent. Of particular interest, Meaghan McElligott brings a pair of golden boots, after netting 50 in her Queensland NPLW season. Fans with a sense of history will find the story familiar and hope she fires in a similar way to Hayley Raso, another Queenslander who found her feet in green.

Meanwhile, Nikki Flannery and Karly Roestbakken will both be hoping to return to their best form in Canberra for season 11.

Roestbakken is off on Young Matildas’ duty, returning for round two, but shares her excitement about the new season.

“The vibe in the squad is really good, we’re all pretty excited to get out there and play our first game. Unfortunately, I’ll be missing it, but it’s looking really promising for the season ahead.”

A few of the notable exits were announced without any specific club link, which seems unheard of in Canberra's history, and it will be interesting to see if these are signs of a fundamental shift in the club - away from career players and family legacies to a season by season approach.

Garriock has eyes on the trophy and is happy to have brought about the change she needs for it.

“For me, I want the change and I’ve got the team that I want this season. I will take responsibility for the team, and the players will take responsibility for their jobs. For the fans, they’re going to see a very exciting game, they’re going to see players wanting to play for the jersey, they’re going to see a team full of winners.”

THE STRENGTH & CHALLENGE

The challenge for Canberra will be how little time they have to gather some semblance of a side that will perform well knowing each other’s strengths. There is no shortage of talent on Garriock’s list, but the desired success will only come with good cohesion.

The backline perhaps will be where the evidence of this is first seen. Roestbakken, Carpenter and King are the only defenders retained for Season 11 and it will be vital these cogs are working for the side to build something. Without a familiar face in the centre, it will be interesting to watch whether this is a challenge or an asset for the team.

Garriock’s side may have the interesting edge of a side stacked with unknowns, and little pressure coming into 2019 on paper. It’s a risk, and it has potential to pay off.

“Not many people will know who Rhoda or Fifi are. I’ll tell you now, they’ll know them by the end of the season.”

KEY PLAYERS

Rachel Corsie (Defence)

Leading from the backline hasn’t been a Canberra United tactic since Nicole Begg (nee Sykes) left the Canberra United set up, but a national team captain is a natural fit for domestic leadership, and Garriock has a few to choose from this year. Corsie has impressed on parks throughout Europe and the US, and it will be great to see her bring the fitness of NWSL work right through to a championship brings.

Refiloe (Fifi) Jane (Midfield)

It's so important that there’s some good linking work, and Jane brings something different from South Africa. She’s been in Canberra (along with Rhoda) for a longer stretch than other imports, so expect her to have a strong idea of the game plan.

Nicki Flannery (Forward)

Flannery didn’t fire in the way she was expected to last season, with injury interruptions preventing her finding much rhythm.  Expect there to be fire in her belly this year as she reclaims her lucky number 19 playing shirt. Some real competition for spots up top will have an impact on all players vying for a forward position.

ONE TO WATCH

In many ways, Canberra United itself will be hoping to be the breakthrough side. They have an underdog vibe, and in the absence of a lot of familiar names will be easy to dismiss or underestimate.

McElligott hasn’t come the furthest to join Garriock’s side for Season 11 - but in many ways, her journey has been a long one, after some time on the cusp of W-League football. If she finds a spot in the starting squad she will no doubt have an impact.

SQUAD

Taren KING, Refiloe JANE, Rhoda MULAUDZI, Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Nicki FLANNERY, Melissa MAIZELS, Nikola ORGILL, Natasha PRIOR, Sham KHAMIS, Meaghan MCELLIGOTT, Rosie GALEA, Aoife COLVILL, Ellie CARPENTER, Laura HUGHES, Madelyn WHITTALL, Rachel CORSIE, Denise O'SULLIVAN and Lauren KEIR