By Ben Gilby
It’s been a hugely positive start to the NPLW WA season for the Azzurri, and defender Epril Nossent feels that the quick bonding process between so many new faces is reaping rewards both on and off the pitch.
“Overall, we have had a really positive start to the season, and it is exciting to see how the squad is responding,” she said.
“The main highlight has been how quickly we have come together as a group with many new additions and keeping the vibe in the change room positive. There is a great sense of unity, with everyone supporting each other, and that energy is translated onto the field. It is a great environment to be a part of.”
The gelling of the playing group was always going to be an important facet of the early part of the season with a large number of new faces coming in to the squad ahead of the 2025 season. It’s a process that the defender admits is a work in progress still.
“We are still learning each other’s game and building those connections. It has been exciting to see how we are improving each week and starting to click more as a unit…The new players have slotted in really well, they have brought a lot of versatility, energy and depth to the team, on and off the pitch. We are continuing to gel each week and gaining momentum as the season progresses.
As well as the new members of the playing group, the squad have been adapting to the new outlook of incoming head coach Tom Glavovic, who had great success as part of the Hyundai NTC coaching group. His style and outlook on the game is one that Nossent appreciates personally.
“Tom’s main message is playing with intensity and effort and working hard for each other, but also big on promoting individual creativity and giving us the freedom to express ourselves within the team structure.”
Nossent has been in typically commanding form in the early weeks of the season – a start to the campaign that has seen her on the scoresheet in quite some style at UWA-Nedlands during Round Three.
The incredible strike began with a move inside the Azzurri’s own half and came to a crescendo when Hannah Insch drove up the left-hand flank before squaring a pass inside her. The ball was further moved across to the right for Nossent to hit a sensational first-time lob from the edge of the area that flew in. Superb vision for a superb goal.
Reflecting on that goal with a smile, the defender said modestly: “I don’t get to go up there much, so when Tommy put me up there for a change, I just thought I would give it a go, and thankfully, it hit the back of the net.”
This season looks to be closer than ever in the NPLW WA with a number of favoured teams dropping unexpected points across the board. Nossent believes that if the Azzurri are going to finally win the league and Top Four Cup, the key will be consistency.
“The competition definitely looks more open this season, and I think this was reflected in the night series campaign. Some teams have come out strong and have been really impressive with their consistency and attacking play. Fremantle are playing great football, and I think they will be the dark horse of the season.
“For us, It really comes down to the small details; game management in the high-pressure moments will be crucial, being clinical with our chances, maximising our set pieces, and maintaining consistency throughout the full 90 minutes.”