Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Eastern Suburbs FC

Eastern Suburbs FC Women have secured the services of their coach, captain and vice-captain for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.

Coach Garrath McPherson will once again take the reins of the team next year, after guiding the club to a third place finish in the competition’s inaugural season.

He has immediately set about retaining two key members of the team’s leadership group in captain Laura Harris and vice-captain Michaela Hatzirodos.

Defender Harris, 25, and midfielder Hatzirodos, 22, are the club’s first confirmed signings for next season, with open trials due to commence in early December.

The 2016 campaign will be Harris’ eighth season at the club and will once again be a leading figure in the team’s leadership group after making 21 appearances last year.

A statement from the club read, “Laura continues to develop into a fantastic player and is the perfect role model for all of the future stars in the Eastern Suburbs junior PS4 NPL program.”

“(She) will lead the team again in 2016 as the club looks to take the women’s football club environment to another level in the PS4 National Premier Leagues.”

Hatzirodos is seen as a key signing for Easts after being the club’s second-leading top goalscorer with 10 goals from her 21 appearances in 2015.

“Michaela was a strong contributor to the team and provides both an attacking threat and a relentless defensive capacity,” the statement continued.

“Michaela’s ability to score goals from midfield while having an uncanny ability to break up opposition possession provides an added dimension to the sides capabilities.”