Olympia Warriors
Last season: WSL: Champions (14-0-1) Statewide Cup: Finalists
Summer Cup 2021: Champions (3-0-0)
Despite a dominant 2020 season that saw them lose just one WSL game, the Warriors entered the new pre-season with a few doubts around their squad. The players that they lost over the offseason would make a formidable lineup themselves—Sophie Leszczynski to Adelaide, Caitlin Roberts to Eltham, Raiah Collins and Maddie Black to Mitchelton, Olivia Bomford to Belconnen and Jenna Farrow to retirement. It’s hard to imagine losing so much talent and remaining at the top of the pack, and yet that’s exactly what the Warriors did in the Summer Cup, winning all three of their games to claim the trophy. They did so in style too, winning every game by at least three goals and cruising through the final against an up-and-coming Kingborough Lions outfit. Some of last season’s superstars still remain, with captain Innocent Michael, Leah Gubb and Madi Chambers excelling in the pre-season, but some newer faces have put their hands up to fill in the gaps. Natalia Leszczynski looks to be ready to take over her sister’s spot in the lineup and do so with aplomb, while former Beachside player Kate Ollerhead was a standout during the Cup win. The Summer Cup was a timely reminder to the rest of the league—Olympia are still the team to beat.
Clarence Zebras
Last season: WSL: Second (11-2-2) Statewide Cup: Champions
Summer Cup 2021: Pool stage (2-0-1)
The Warriors weren’t the only side losing talent over the summer, with a number of Zebras stars departing the club. Key players Danielle Kannegiesser and Bronte Gadon both travelled south to join Kingborough, while Zara Dixon also looks unlikely to return. That’s without adding in fellow regulars Georgia Burt and Allie Berry among a handful of last season’s squad that did not appear in the Summer Cup. None of that looked to affect them early in the pre-season, as they beat an improving South Hobart side and demolished the New Town Eagles, but a 3-0 defeat to the Lions showed that they may have lost their lead over the chasing pack heading into this season. Still, with Zoe Nichols (six goals), Caitlin Stalker (four goals) and Mady O’Brien (three goals) all finding form in the pre-season, there is some cause for optimism. On paper they certainly have enough talent to keep themselves in the top two, and maybe even challenge for the title, but they could face more of a fight than in recent years to do so.
Kingborough Lions
Last season: WSL: Third (6-1-8) Statewide Cup: Semi-Finalists
Summer Cup 2021: Finalists (3-0-1)
The Lions have been on a steady upwards trend in recent years, with last season’s third place finish their best since the Super League’s inception. They certainly carried that momentum into 2021, knocking off last year’s runners-up Clarence on their way to the Summer Cup final. While they were brough back to earth with a big loss to the Warriors in the decider, they certainly look set to take another step forward as their young talent develops. The Bonnertz-Benn sisters, Kate and Holly, are both dynamic players that should continue to improve with more senior games under their belts. Both could be stars of the league sooner rather than later, especially under the tutelage of a growing crop of senior players at The Den. They were busy over the offseason, adding Zebras stars Danielle Kannegiesser and Bronte Gadon and re-signing star striker Laura Davis. If they can find the best way to utilise their talents, Kannegiesser and Davis could quickly become the league’s most dangerous forward pairing. The Summer Cup final showed that that may not have happened quite yet, but the Lions have the potential to challenge any side on their day.
South Hobart
Last season: WSL: Fourth (5-1-9) Statewide Cup: Semi-Finalists
Summer Cup 2021: Pool stage (1-0-2)
Much like the Lions, South Hobart took some positive steps last season and challenged for a top-three finish for much of the season. Unlike the Lions, they had a tougher time in the pre-season—their only win came against Southern Championship side New Town, and they lost to both Kingborough and Clarence by three-goal margins. Still, they look to have kept the bulk of last season’s core intact, with the exception of the departing Eliane Fader and Summer Cup absentees Charlotte Ingram and Issie Declerck. Niki Moutsatsos brings composure and energy in the middle of the park, as well as a keen goal sense on display during the Summer Cup, while Eleni Moutsatsos is a similarly classy player. With Pishon Choi and Misty Olsen always threats in the final third, this South side should be capable of scoring plenty of goals. As the league looks set to tighten up this season, that could be enough to see them snare some surprising results over the course of the year.
Launceston United
Last season: Northern Championship: Champions (12-2-0) Statewide Cup: N/A
Summer Cup 2021: N/A
Full disclosure: I am coming in fairly blind when it comes to the three sides entering the league for the first time this season. That goes doubly for Launceston United, who did not participate in the Summer Cup. Still, it doesn’t take an expert to figure out that a team coming off an undefeated season is doing something right. Remarkably, they were tied for third in the Northern Championship for goals scored, but conceded just nine times in 14 games to take home the title. Jess Robinson claimed the league best and fairest award looks set to return this season, as does captain and defensive stalwart Katie Hill. The club has also managed to lure a number of players from their Northern rivals, a perk of entering the statewide league and a positive looking into the future. It’s hard to know how any team will transition from league to another, but a strong defensive unit should certainly make things easier.
Devonport Strikers
Last season: Northern Championship: Second (11-0-3) Statewide Cup: Round of 16
Summer Cup 2021: N/A
On the other end of the spectrum to United are the Devonport Strikers, who lit up scoreboards across the league but had to settle for second place. It’s not often that a side will score 120 goals in 14 games and not win a title, but a pair of losses to United sealed their fate. They should score plenty of goals once again in 2021, with former WSL Golden Boot winner Jazmin White joining the club to bolster their attacking stocks. The star striker was out of the game last season due to the birth of her second daughter, but that’s no cause for concern—after having her first child, White won consecutive Golden Boot awards in the following two seasons. Coach Mal Gorrie brings plenty of Super League experience with him, and there is plenty of reason to believe in the club’s development pathways with young gun Annalee Bidwell named to the Junior Matildas watchlist.
Taroona FC
Last season: Southern Championship: Champions (15-0-0) Statewide Cup: Round of 16
Summer Cup 2021: Pool stage (1-0-1)
15 games, 15 wins. It was a perfect season for Taroona in the Southern Championship in 2020, and though it’s hard to imagine them replicating that success, they will be hoping to remain competitive in their return to the top flight. There were promising signs to that end in the pre-season, as they smashed former Southern rivals Glenorchy 7-0 before a hard-fought loss to the Olympia Warriors saw them eliminated from Summer Cup action. Eli Cropp returned to their lineup with a bang, scoring a brace against the Knights, and she will lead her side from the front and cause plenty of issues for opposing defences. One notable absence during the Summer Cup was Emma Carbon, who scored a staggering 37 goals during their 2020 campaign. There are still scoring options in their squad, but they may struggle at times to break down the defences of the league’s top teams.