Tara Murray
It might have only been week one of pre-season training for Western United’s inaugural women’s squad this week, but you wouldn’t have known.
United started their first pre-season on Monday as they prepare for the A-League Women’s season which starts next month.
Speaking after their first two sessions, Francesca Iermano said you could tell the group had been eagerly waiting for the day to arrive.
“We had a team bonding before we even started,” she said. “Everyone is just sitting down for lunch.
“You could see how keen everyone was to get back to the park. It feels like everyone has been training the last few months.
“Everyone has done the work in the break and moulding really well and the vibe is really up.
“Everyone is enjoying it whether they are training, taking an ice bath or eating a peanut butter sandwich in the change rooms.”
For Iermano, it’s her first full A-League Women’s pre-season.
She made her A-League debut for Melbourne Victory last season as an injury replacement, playing three games.
The South Melbourne star said it was an easy decision to come and join United for their first season.
“I knew many of the girls separately,” she said. “I had a discussion with [coach] Mark [Torcaso] and [women’s football manager] Amanda [Stella] and got a feel how big the club is.
“At the induction last week the team doctor was in tears as they were so excited. The club has made it easy from the start which is what you want to do when you’re spending five or six days a week together.
“I knew instantly United was for me.”
Iermano said having been at Victory last season it had given her a bit of an idea what to expect heading into the season.
She said despite only coming together last week, the standards were already being set.
“You need to get comfortable in your surroundings as soon as possible,” she said.
“We’ve got four weeks of pre-season, normally everyone gets two to three months. You can tell everyone is getting used to being back at it and getting our bodies more prepared for training five days a week.”
The side will have a number of practice matches in the lead up to the season kicking off, while they will look to do a number of things off the field as well to help build connections.
Despite being the new kids on the block this season, Iermano said they were setting themselves high expectations.
“Everyone at the club just wants us to do our best,” she said.
“We want to make the top four. It’s a massive expectation for the new team.
“We have really high standards for next season and then evaluate what we have done. It’s a good stepping stone and we have a point to prove to the rest of the league.”
The season kicks off on November 19.
