Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Battiato and Royals ready as ever for huge Calder test in Nike FC Cup
Essendon Royals Senior Women’s Coach Vince Battiato is excited by the prospect of testing himself and his players against one of the benchmarks of women’s football in Victoria on Thursday night at Cross Keys Reserve.
Having made a good habit of either drawing with or beating teams from higher divisions all pre-season, Battiato is satisfied that his team is as ready as they possibly could be for a clash with the reigning Nike FC Cup champions, but admits that pulling off a win at Cross Keys Reserve would represent one of the greatest upsets the cup has ever seen.
“Other than ourselves, I don’t think anyone really believes we can win, so from that perspective, we come into this with little pressure,” Battiato said.
“Internally, we believe if we have a crack we can rattle them, and we have a variety of plans ready to go depending on how the game starts and unfolds, but we know we’re coming up against a team and a program that is incredibly good and tough to beat.”
The Royals come into the game fresh off a team-bonding trip to Queenscliffe last weekend, with the Women’s State League 1 season still yet to get underway.
“The idea of the weekend was for us to be away from football and just to get to know each other as people over and above just knowing each other as players,” he said.
“I’m a big believer in that if we understand each other as people we’re more willing to fight for each other as players.
“To spend that time away from football and just to bond and for everyone to learn something about their teammates they didn’t know before the trip was amazing.
“It was a hugely successful weekend because the players really brought into it.”
With the squad in a great place in terms of on-field form and off-field spirit, Battiato believes the team is as well prepared as it could be for the challenge of Calder but said any hope of success depended on a strong start to the game.
“If we don’t start well, we’ll be in for a rough night,” he said.
“But if we start well, who knows? Calder is still getting to their best form, so I’m hoping we can catch them on even just a partially off night and that we play our own perfect game because realistically that might be what it takes [to win].
“If we were to succeed and knock Calder out, a quarter-final appearance would be enormous for us and if we can beat Calder then why shouldn’t we think about going another step?
“The key is beating Calder first, though. So we’re excited for the challenge ahead and we look forward to testing ourselves against a formidable outfit.”