Words: Matt Dorman

Eastern Suburbs Women coach Garrath McPherson is excited to test his undefeated squad against Brisbane Roar W-League in a friendly at Heath Park on Wednesday night.

Easts sit second with four wins in five and should prove a stern test for Roar, who have also teed up friendlies against The Gap Women and leaders UQFC Women in coming weeks.

McPherson believes taking on the two-time national champions is a deserved reward for his players’ effort while being a “big boost” for the club.

“It’s a reward and celebration for how far the girls have come since the start of pre-season,” McPherson said.

“We have been continually challenging them to raise the professionalism and their standards and they’ve obliged.

“I think it’s time to test their performance against a top quality side.”

The East Brisbane based club are themselves proving an impressive outfit on debut in Australia’s elite player pathway, though McPherson isn’t thinking too far ahead.

“We’re in a very exciting place going into the Easter break,” he said.

“We haven’t discussed winning titles or any of that. It’s the first year in the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland for Easts, the idea was just to be competitive and the girls have definitely done that.”

McPherson tipped a tight match against Belinda Wilson’s Roar, who will be without the services of several Matildas players including Katrina Gorry and Clare Polkinghorne.

“They won’t be at full strength, we’re aware of that, and I think that will increase the competitiveness of it,” he said.

“Our team have done a pre-season and are six games into the league and her girls have only just come together.”

Kick off at Heath Park is at 7.30pm, ahead of Roar’s further friendlies away to Gators on 8 April (7.00pm) and UQFC on 15 April (7.30pm).