Words: Callum Dick
Image: Peninsula Power FC

New Peninsula Power Women coach Michael Cook concedes there is an element of the unexpected in this year’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s competition.

Cook provided the assessment as he continues his side's preparations for the season ahead in a series of pre-season friendlies that continues against Gold Coast City this weekend.

After guiding the club's Youth Women last season, Cook takes the reins of a side that finished the inaugural PlayStation 4 NPLW Queensland season in sixth position.

However, despite being quietly confident his side can again challenge for a place in the post-season finals, Cook said it is difficult to judge precisely how his side compares to their league rivals at this stage.

“What’s tricky is there’s been so much movement between clubs from players and coaches that there’s a very big question mark over what teams will be like,” Cook began.

“Teams that were great last year may not be this year and vice versa. I think we have a really good group of young players that have as good a shot as anyone else at finishing at the top end of the table.”

Cook has already worked with the nine former youth players who have transitioned into the senior side for this season, and is excited about their continued development.

“It is really satisfying to see them step up into the senior team. We had quite a lot of trialists - they had to work very hard to get into the team,” he stated.

Amongst the new faces, Grace Curtis, Ieramia Rowlands, Morgan Schoener and Jess Eccles have joined from other clubs over the off-season, whilst a trio of experienced foreign signings have also bolstered the squad.

“Natsuka Watanabe and Madoka Momma from Japan, and Michelle Mortensen from Denmark, will add depth, strength, and experience to our young squad," he explained.

"They bring a different perspective to the game; the Japanese especially have a super high technical level, whereas Mortensen does all the simple things extremely well."

However, he acknowledged his relatively inexperienced squad will still take time to find their feet in Queensland's elite women's club competition.

“We need to make sure the players are all on board with what we’re trying to achieve. They know it’s an inexperienced team and they know the only way we’ll have success is if we work together,” he concluded.

Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday, February 6
Gold Coast City FC Women v Peninsula Power FC Women
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City
Kick-off at 1:00PM