By Ben Gilby
Azzurri attacker Jess Flannery knows the team are in for a colossal battle this coming Saturday afternoon when they face Perth RedStar in a big top four battle at Dorrien Gardens, but believes that the team have the confidence to come out on top.
Reflecting on the challenge that the defending champions pose, Flannery said: “RedStar are definitely such a different game from the rest of the teams in the league. There is not a single weak point in their start 11 and when we verse them we all are super aware that every single player on the pitch will have a hard battle the entire game.
“RedStar is such an experienced team it’s really difficult to ever get comfortable in a game against them because no matter how much you are up by, it is a constant struggle to keep that score line. Individually and as a team they have the capacity to create something out of nothing, which we always have to watch out for.”
Perth are currently in the midst of a tough run of fixtures against all their top four rivals, and in order to ensure that they continue to pick up the points in this spell, Flannery feels they need to focus on their own strengths.
“I really think in games, especially against the top half of the table, we need to maintain our composure and not let what the other team is doing stop us from playing our brand of football,” she said.
“Sometimes we can get so focused on trying to do things a particular way we become stuck and have tunnel vision. So I think, especially during this tough set of fixtures, it is so important we all remain relaxed during the game and play with courage because when we all play with certainty I think we are extremely difficult to get a result against.”
Perth certainly have been difficult to get a result against. They’ve only conceded six goals in the league and won all but three of their 14 games this season – a defeat at Balcatta Etna in the league, with a penalty shoot-out loss at the Football West Academy in the State Cup on top of a draw with Subiaco earlier in the campaign. It’s come despite a big number of changes to the squad, which Flannery believes just emphasises the importance of a group who are close knit both on and off the pitch.
“I would say collectively it’s been really positive season so far. For a team with quite a few new players, and players coming in and out of the squad for whatever reason we have been doing super well. One of the key aspects of the campaign so far has been trying to play at 100% in every game.
“I think we have all put a big focus on playing well together and focusing on our game as a team regardless of the result. This has really helped everyone get used to playing together in such a short period of time because we are less focused on the opposition and more focused on our team and what we do.
“Tommy (Glavovic) is an extremely passionate and energetic coach who is constantly encouraging us to really come together as a team. I have never been part of a group of girls this close and genuine and I really do believe that Tommy has had a large hand in creating that close knit environment, constantly encouraging us to come together not just as teammates but also friends.
“Every single training, game and team event he brings an insane level of energy and passion and I think this is a big part of his coaching that I have added to my game. I think his light heartedness and passion has definitely rubbed off on me and allowed me to be more confident in myself on and off the pitch.
Flannery has developed into one of the most exciting and lethal players in the NPLW over the past couple of seasons. This status is a long way from where it all began for her at the age of four in Kalgoorlie.
“When you are young in Kalgoorlie, it is a super popular sport so pretty much everyone plays but as I got into high school quite a few of the girls stopped. I kept playing with the boys but when I was 13, I also started playing in the women’s team for my club Kalgoorlie College. This really helped me develop as a player because on the weekends I was able to play two very different games. One with the boys which was fast and technical and then one with the ladies which was super physical with girls like Tanika Lala who I was able to learn so much from. Then when I was 14, a new coach moved to town, John Karavitis.
“When I first started training with John I was shy and had zero confidence in myself on or off the pitch but John was able to teach me things about soccer and myself that I just would never have been able to learn from my usual sessions in Kalgoorlie. He really believed in me and was the first person to truly encourage me to think further than just the local league in Kalgoorlie.
“In 2022 my family moved to Perth and I started in Perth SC’s U21s. It was a big adjustment to go from a town where I knew everyone to a city where I knew pretty much no one but Perth definitely made it easier. Perth was the first and only club I tried out for and haven’t regretted my choice once. I am really proud of myself for making the jump from Kalgoorlie to NPL, ultimately working myself up to being a consistent part of the first team squad.”
In outlining the qualities that make her now such a key part of the Azzurri team, Flannery observed:
“I really love having the ball at my feet and driving past players into space to make a cross or take the shot.
“I don’t necessarily think I am the fastest or strongest player on the pitch but I do my best to try and run for every single ball that gets sent my way and think this drive to win the ball often helps me beat players who might be that bit stronger or faster. I am very confident in myself and really feel dangerous whenever I have the ball in the attacking third and am always looking for a way to go forward towards the goal.”
Flannery was absolutely flying last season before being struck down by injury that ended her 2024 – however, looking back now, the attacker sees some positives coming out of a tough time.
“Getting injured was really tough, it wasn’t something I had ever had to deal with before so it was extra difficult in that sense. But looking back on it, although it was extremely challenging, I think it really changed my mind-set for the better.
“Before my injury I was very harsh on myself and never really satisfied with how I played or confident in myself or my spot within the team but I think getting injured kind of put everything into perspective for me. It allowed me to really realise how grateful and lucky I was to be able to play in a great team with such an amazing group of girls, and probably just got me to remember how much I just enjoyed playing for the fun of it.
“I would say personally my goal this season has just been to get back to the level I was at before my injury. It’s also been a bit of an adjustment coming back into the team after losing so many players and getting a new coach who has brought in a different style of play. But I’m really just trying to focus on doing everything I possibly can for the team.”
A big part of Flannery getting back to her levels of performance has been the restoration of her almost telepathic partnership with Ella Lincoln. Whilst the pair are regularly among the goals for the Azzurri, it’s their incredible link-up play as attacking moves develop that causes so much havoc to opponents. It’s a partnership that Flannery absolutely loves.
“Playing with Ella is honestly really amazing. I think we fit well together and our games really complement each other. Whenever I get the ball and we are attacking, I always know Ella will be making some attempt to get forward into space to receive the ball and I think she knows I will be looking to get it to her. So I would say the main reason our partnership works so well is that we both work so hard for each other and know exactly what we need from the other.”
That partnership could well be an important factor to unlocking a Perth RedStar defence that has only conceded one goal in its last four league and cup games. Indeed, Saturday’s opponents have won every game they have played since their last visit to Dorrien Gardens on 19th April – an encounter that the Azzurri won 2-1.
Flannery outlined why RedStar are such tough opponents, saying: “They are definitely such a different game from the rest of the teams in the league.
“I think in order for us to get the win on Saturday, it’s going to be so important that we win every single ball we possibly can. If we let RedStar have even a bit of space or time, they have the players who can play that killer ball and breakthrough an entire team in a single pass. I think playing with intensity and confidence in offence and defence will really make the difference for us.”