WHAT GARRIOCK SAID

“It’s really important to highlight the fact that the W-League has come leaps and bounds.

“For a club like Canberra United, it’s important for us to keep up, especially when other clubs are spending a lot of money on recruitment.

“It’s really important for us to try to build the most competitive team possible … because the W-League is vastly different, especially since the standard player contracts are coming through the PFA.”

KEY PLAYERS

Leena Khamis

One of the most capped players in W-League history, L. Khamis will use her experience to steady Canberra’s offense. Being one of the most capped players has also led to L. Khamis to being one of the league’s top scorers, with 40 goals.

Entering her 12th season L. Khamis is looking to maximize her second time lining up alongside her sister. The two last played together with Sydney FC and they are hoping they can have even more success this year with Canberra. 

If L. Khamis can climb the ranks for total goals in the W-League, Canberra may be able to match their offense with their strong defence from a season ago. 

 

Elise Thorsnes

Khamis is not the only player lacing up for Canberra with a wealth of experience. Thorsnes may have only played one season in the W-League, but her over 100 appearances in Norway’s league will surely come in handy this year. 

Her lone W-League season in 2017-18 saw Thorsnes play nine games but in that short time she scored six goals. The perfect blend of experience and efficiency. 

Additionally, she has been a force for Norway’s national team. Thorsnes has competed for her country since 2006 appearing in three World Cups. 

The amount of knowledge that will be passed between L. Khamis and Thorsnes will have unbelievable impact for Canberra this season.

 

Karly Roestbakken

A young player that will be able to learn from her veteran teammates is Roestbakken. One of the top up and coming players in Australia in her own right, Roestbakken has not even touched her full potential. 

She was on the Matildas roster for the 2019 World Cup where she saw action in two games, one of them being a start against Jamaica. At just 18 years old, Roestbakken has already accomplished more than most will ever be able to do in the entirety of their career. 

The 2020 Olympics are looming and Roestbakken has been called into the Matildas camp for their two friendlies against Chile. Her play there will have an impact on if she is called into the team for Olympic qualifications, but her play this season could play as much of a role. Look for her to make quite an impact this season.

 

ONE TO WATCH

Katie Stengel

The third player on Canberra's front line is Stengel. W-League fans will remember her time with both the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Newcastle Jets. She is on loan from the NWSL side, the Utah Royals.

The Royals finished right in the middle of the league standings and had an underwhelming ending to the season with a four game losing streak. Stengel only produce two goals for the Royals in her 24 appearances.

Rejoining the W-League may be just the spark Stengel needs to regain her goal-scoring prowess she had with the Jets in 2017, scoring 13 goals in 18 matches.