Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Battiato out for strong start to league campaign
Essendon Royals Senior Women’s Coach Vince Battiato says starting the Women’s State League 1 North-West campaign with three points against Elwood City on Friday night will be crucial, given the games to come in Rounds 2 and 3.
The Royals face two of the league favourites in Moreland Zebras and Spring Hills FC in the next two rounds of the competition, meaning anything less than three points against Elwood would place even more pressure on an already tricky opening sequence of games for Battiato’s side.
“Considering the next two rounds, if we don’t get the three points then we instantly put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” he said.
“After Round 1 we have to play two of the top contenders and undoubtedly the favourites in this league, so I’m looking at that and I’m thinking we want at least six points out of our first three rounds.
“So starting with anything less than three against Elwood would make life hard.
Elwood battled in 2021, but Battiato said his side could not afford to take anyone lightly in what is one of the toughest competitions in the state.
“We treat every team in this competition with respect and we approach this game with the same intensity we will need in the next two games,” he said.
“Everyone is on zero points and whilst Elwood might have battled last year, I think you’d look at last year’s table and say that the Royals battled too.
“As a club, we have a very active social media presence, so everyone can see how we have strengthened, but we don’t know much about what Elwood has done, so they may have picked up some talented players as well, so we will need to be mindful and treat Elwood with respect to get the job done.”
Battiato has overseen the biggest squad overhaul of his career at the Royals, bringing in no fewer than 19 players.
Having been meticulously clear with players old and new about his expectations and methods for the year ahead, everyone has come into the new squad with a clear expectation about Battiato’s approach to squad building and has brought into the vision he has for the team and the wider women’s program at the club.
Battiato said the most impressive part of pre-season, results aside, has been the way the players have integrated into the club’s culture and developed a strong bond as a squad.
“The last time I overhauled a squad was at Melbourne University, which was also in State League 1,” he said.
“But even then, that was only eight or nine players coming in. This time it’s been almost 20.
“The way in which all those players have jelled with the existing players and their fellow new players has been the most impressive part for me. Everyone has committed to the project and the vision and everyone understands that every player – whether they start in the seniors or reserves – will be required to help the team achieve its goal this season.
“The pre-season trip was a huge success in that respect, and I’m happy that the players we’ve kept and the players we’ve brought in are all here for the right reasons and are enjoying being at the Royals.”
The Royals start their campaign having completed a rigorous pre-season that delivered some great results and performances, including a great Nike FC Cup that ended last week with a narrow 1-0 loss to National Premier Leagues heavyweights Calder United.
“That was the only game we lost all pre-season, in a tough pre-season in which we played a lot of higher division sides,” he said.
“To lose that game in the 86th minute to an unlucky double-deflection own goal and to see how Calder celebrated that goal and then took to the corners to protect what they had – it shows how tough that game was for them.
“It’s tough to lose, but it shows us we are well prepared for State League 1 and we’re excited for the campaign ahead.”