MASTRANTONIO

100MATCHES

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THIS MATCH REGULAR COLUMNS FEATURES THE LETTER 5 THE WANDERER HEFFERNAN REVOLUTION 8 The views in this publication are not Former Wanderers player Dean Heffernan WARM UP 6 necessarily the views of the Western has turned heads since he jumped into Wanderers FC. Material in this publication is the Westfield W-League hot seat PLAYERS TO WATCH 13 copyrighted and may only be reproduced with Brought to you by Turner and Freeman written permission from the club. MILESTONE MASTRANTONIO 14 Ella Mastrantonio is set to reach her 100th TODAY’S MATCH 16 ADVERTISING Westfield W-League match today For all advertising enquiries for JUNIOR WANDERER ZONE 18 The Wanderer or partnership with the MÜLLER READY TO MAKE MARK 20 club contact the Corporate Partnerships Having finally settled into life in Western TAKE FIVE 25 Team by sending an email to Sydney, Nicolai Müller has his sights set on Brought to you by Turner and Freeman [email protected] or making an impact at the Red & Black visit corporate.wanderland.com.au IN THE COMMUNITY 27 WANDERERS TAKE ON CHINA 22 PHOTOGRAPHY Confidence and belief is soaring for CORPORATE NEWS 29 All photography in The Wanderer is courtesy our Wander Women after their historic of Aleksander Jason, Kellie Lemon, Getty win over China OUR PARTNERS 31 Images and Steve Christo.

THE LETTER 05

MICHAEL BEAUCHAMP WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS INAUGURAL CAPTAIN AND WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE ASSISTANT COACH

As a professional footballer, there was no greater feeling than walking on the field at a spectacular stadium as it made you feel like a footballer. Looking at Bankwest Stadium and just getting to feel the atmosphere, the fans are on top of you and noise factor is something else... it is really a very special experience. It adds even more to the occasion when you have a double header with the Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League teams playing. We have two this season and I think the fans have really taken to them. Double headers allow members and fans to come in early and watch the girls play, allowing them to feel the atmosphere building. It gives the players a massive lift. It's also fantastic see that the Hyundai A-League boys are out watching the girls play before they start getting ready for their game. It is really all about a one club mentality, which we have within this great club now. It's great to see everyone buying into what the Wanderers are all about and we were that from the get go when I was there as the inaugural captain. I really feel we are getting up there where the club belongs and deserves to be.

PRIDE. POWER. WEST. 06 WARM UP

The Wanderers have been branded as one of the most exciting outfits in the league MATCH thanks to their explosive attacking style of football and resolute defence. There was a slight hiccup last week PREVIEW following a surprise 4-0 loss to Brisbane Roar - the Red & Black’s first loss in seven games. But under Heffernan and his staff, there's no doubt the team will be quick to bounce back from last week's disappointment. With four games left in the regular season after today, a win is vital if the Wanderers are to keep up the pressure on leaders It promises to be an exciting afternoon Melbourne City who have now opened a six- of football when the Wanderers gear up point gap at the top of the table. for their last double header at Bankwest The Hyundai A-League side also return to Stadium today. Wanderland for the first time in two weeks With both competitions at the half way following a 2-0 loss away to Wellington mark of the season, the Red & Black's sides Phoenix last Saturday afternoon. will play Perth Glory in matches that could The Red & Black were well in the game define both team's seasons. against the Kiwis for much of the 90 minutes The Wanderers will be aiming to but luck deserted them in front of goal. collect all six points for the first time in The Wanderers will be hoping to find their a double header. mojo in front of goal in a match that would The high flying women's outfit will go in catapult them back into the Top Six with a win. as strong favourites against a Glory side Currently sitting in eighth spot on 14 struggling near the bottom of the table, points, the Wanderers are just a point behind while the men's face a stiff test against the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. defending Premiers. While the results have been disappointing In his first season in a senior job, head as of late, there is still plenty of football Westfield W-League coach Dean Heffernan still to be played this season. There are has got the team firing and headed for a 12 games and 36 points up for grabs after spot in the Finals for the first time in the today's fixture - ample time for the Red & (Top to bottom) The Wanderers Westfield W-League team celebrating club's history. Black to make a run for the Finals. their first win at Bankwest Stadium; Mitchell Duke in Wellington TONIGHT'S MATCH DAY PARTNER

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beginning and that for us, is coming together really nicely. It all started in a room where we spoke about values and culture first and then came the recruitment and style of play. On that note, it's amazing to see how far women's football has come since my own We're back at Bankwest Stadium this playing days. afternoon and there's no better place to It's unbelievable and there's still some bounce back from last week's disappointing days that I need to pinch myself, to say that result against Brisbane. this is real what we have. It was definitely a tough game for our I always make sure that I remind the girls Wander Women who were defeated 4-0 at how lucky we are of what we have and not to but in a positive, it was take anything for granted. great to see over 1,000 people make their Past players before them didn't have the way to the venue to support our girls. facilities, didn't have the support of what It feels so long ago that we sat down and women's football has now so don't take it started planning. Putting pen to paper in for granted. terms of what we wanted at the team and Use all the facilities, use everything that what we wanted things to look like. we have and use it to your advantage. We set out from the beginning that the We're just over the half-way point, we've number one thing is that we wanted the still got a long way to go and we haven't won On this day in 2019, the Wanderers Westfield W-League team team to have the values that the Western anything yet but hopefully we can sit here smashed Adelaide United 4-1. , , Sydney Wanderers have as a club, things in another few months time about how we Erica Halloway and Elizabeth Addo got on the scoresheet in that have been with this club from the brought the trophy back to Western Sydney. the Red & Black's only win that season. THE MEMBERS’ BAR IS BACK! EXCLUSIVE TO MEMBERS NORTH WEST TERRACE, LEVEL 1, WANDERLAND SHOW YOUR PASS TO GET ENTRY

MEMBERSHIP PARTNER 08 FEATURE

WATCH WSWTV  #WSWVPER FEATURE 09 HEFFERNAN REVOLUTION FORMER WANDERERS PLAYER DEAN HEFFERNAN HAS TURNED HEADS SINCE HE JUMPED INTO THE W-LEAGUE HOT SEAT

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Confidence and belief has understandably soared and that was evidenced in the remarkable 1-0 win over China, ranked 15 in the world, in a friendly on the Gold Coast last week. During their amazing run, the Wanderers W-League side have also set remarkable Five wins, one draw, one loss and second on benchmarks and created club history, the table behind Melbourne City with a game including their best ever start to a season, in hand, the Red & Black have been the talk most wins in a season and record victories of Australian football with their outstanding over Sydney FC and Canberra United. and exciting brand of football. Names like Lynn Williams, Kristen Under the guidance of Dean Heffernan, Hamilton, Denise O’Sullivan, Abby Smith, who is in his first season as a senior Alex Huynh, Sam Staab, , Kyra coach, and his assistant coaches Michael Cooney-Cross, Ella Mastrantonio, Erica Beauchamp and Catherine Cannuli, as well Halloway and Courtney Nevin are on the lips as the back-room staff, the transformation of the fans. from last season's wooden spooners to But, the results are not flukes. serious title contenders has been simply As Heffernan, never one to pat himself eye-opening. on the back, is quick to point out, they

WE ARE THE WANDERERS. 10 FEATURE “The bigger the foundation, the higher you go.” have come about because of the tireless of people are we looking for. work and dedication from many inside the “It was a process that took a long time and Wanderers family. there were some ups and downs for sure “So much work has gone into it behind the regarding signing players, thinking you have scenes,” said Heffernan. got them and then you don’t. “Obviously a lot of people only see game “We were lucky enough to basically get day and that is fine, it’s not a problem. every player we wanted and that shows the “The bigger the foundation, the higher support we have had from not only our staff you go and the more you can achieve and in the scouting and the time and effort it that is definitely something we have always has taken us to watch games and deciding thought about. on players, but also the club, the board, JT “From day one when we got the job, (John Tsatsimas) and Gavin, to be there and the three of us (Heffernan, Beauchamp help us get it over the line as well. and Cannuli) got together straight away ... “The thing is, this is our first time recruitment, who do we want to keep from coaching in a professional set up like this last year, who we want to track down, what and I feel like we are doing what we set out sort of players we are looking for, what type to do at the start.

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(Previous page) Wanderers celebrating historic win over “But, we are always looking at things we “We think the key thing here is, we haven’t Sydney FC; Dean Heffernan oversees training can improve on and always reflecting every won anything,” he said firmly. “We haven’t day after every session ‘how could we have done anything. done that better’ and how we could have got “Someone just congratulated us for more out of that (training) session for the beating China and I just said ‘yeah, but what players.” does it mean?’. While Heffernan is supremely proud of “It doesn’t actually give us anything other his squad and their achievements so far, the team (exceptional) chemistry and talk he is determined to keep their feet firmly about things like confidence and belief. planted on the ground. As someone who was “We already had that, but now after a quality professional player, he knows how beating a team 15th in the world, we should quickly the football landscape can change. have that in spades.”

WE ARE THE RED & BLACK. 13 43 63 turnerfreeman.com.au PLAYER TO WATCH 13

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MILESTONE MASTRANTONIO ELLA MASTRANTONIO IS SET TO REACH HER 100TH WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE MATCH TODAY

In what has been the strongest assembled squad in Wanderers club’s charge towards a history making spot in the W-League Westfield W-League history signing the likes of US stars Lynn Finals, though, outside of the confines of the club, you will Williams, Kristen Hamilton, Sam Staab, Abby Smith and Irish rarely hear her name shouted from the roof tops. legend Denise O'Sullivan, no stone has been left unturned in But, make no mistake, while she does not get the terms of recruitment at the Red & Black this season. attention she deserves from outside circles, Mastrantonio is But one that has flown under the radar has been the regarded as one of the key components in head coach Dean signing of the ever-reliable and tenacious Ella Mastrantonio. Heffernan’s overall scheme of things. Mastrantonio, who will play her 100th game in the That will be even more evident once O’Sullivan completes Westfield W-League against Perth Glory tonight, has flown her eight-game guest stint with the club against Perth Glory under the radar in terms of what she has contributed at Bankwest Stadium tonight. towards the emergence of the Wanderers as a driving force Combative and competitive, Mastrantonio will gladly in the Australian women’s football landscape. take up the extra workload in the middle of the park in the The 27-year-old central midfielder has been pivotal in the absence of the Republic of Ireland superstar. THU 20 FEB 7:30 PM MARCONI VS  VISIT WANDERLAND.COM.AU STADIUM FEATURE 15

(Left to right) Mastrantonio over the Mastrantonio is a tireless worker, who is prepared to put Mastrantonio's desire to play for her country still burns years at Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory her body on the line in every tackle, while she loves nothing strong and, on the evidence of her form this season, a recall and the Wanderers better than getting involved in the attack. can’t be far away. Mastrantonio and O’Sullivan have been a midfield rock From then on she bounced back and forth between Perth for the Red & Black this season combining superbly and and Melbourne Victory, logging up 92 appearances in the complementing each other’s game. national competition. You would expect nothing less from the Fremantle-born Mastrantonio linked with the Wanderers at the start of this and raised Mastrantonio, who has been a W-League ever season and it has been no surprise she has been a regular present since 2008 when she kicked off her senior career starter for the Red & Black. with Perth Glory. Her attitude and positivity around the group cannot be denied It was during her time with the Glory that the pocket and there's no doubt that Mastrantonio will be going all in dynamo earned her first cap for the Matildas and has since tonight's match against Perth Glory not only making more gone on to earn another five caps. history for the Wanderers but also some history for herself.

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BYE 18 WESLEY & SUNNY'S JUNIOR ZONE

Can you spot the five differences below?

You could be featured as our Junior Wanderer of the Match at each of our home games this season! Be featured in the match day magazine plus get your photo shown on the big screen!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

Send your answer to competitions@ wswanderersfc.com.au. The most passionate

answer wins!

ANSWERS: 1. Lynn Williams, 2. Nicolai Muller, 3. 10, 4. 2-1 loss. 2-1 4. 10, 3. Muller, Nicolai 2. Williams, Lynn 1. ANSWERS:

Vine's shorts, 5. A letter is missing from the Intermain logo on Courtney Nevin's jersey. JUNIOR QUIZ QUIZ JUNIOR jersey. Nevin's Courtney on logo Intermain the from missing is letter A 5. shorts, Vine's

missing, 3. A Hyundai A-League player is missing from the warm-up, 4. A number is missing from Cortnee Cortnee from missing is number A 4. warm-up, the from missing is player A-League Hyundai A 3. missing,

Part of the line markings are are markings line the of Part 2. jersey, Staab's Sam from missing is tick Nike The 1. DIFFERENCE: THE SPOT TRAIN UP! GET YOUR TOPS NOW VISIT THE OUTLETS AT GATES A, B AND D PLAYER NUMBERS NOT INCLUDED WANDERERSSHOP.COM.AU WESLEY & SUNNY'S JUNIOR ZONE 19

We love double headers and we're sad that it's our final one of the season. There's nothing quite like the atmosphere and spirit when you walk into Wanderland to see both our Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League teams play. It's always such a great day out filled with football action. Both our teams will be looking get behind them and show to bounce back from some your support in the stands by pretty disappointing losses last making plenty of noise and week but we have belief that cheering them on. they will be able bounce back Our Westfield W-League team this afternoon. especially have been flying high Double headers are a great all season and they need your opportunity to catch both support today to get across the teams in action on the one line and continue their fantastic day so we encourage you to performances this season.

2. Which Wanderer recently died his hair platinum blonde?

3. After today's game, how many Westfield W-League matches has Ella Mastrantonio played in?

1. Name the Wanderer who 4. What was the result in the was recently away with the Wanderers previous meeting US National team. with Perth Glory?

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MÜLLER READY TO MAKE MARK

HAVING FINALLY SETTLED INTO LIFE IN WESTERN SYDNEY, NICOLAI MÜLLER HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON MAKING AN IMPACT AT THE RED & BLACK.

By his own admission, Nicolai Müller discovered moving his family to a new “It is a strong league and you need to fight in every game. Nearly every country and adapting to a different style of football a little more difficult game is 50-50 and you need to have all the little details right. than he had first imagined. “The weather, the heat - it is very hot - the air, the hard grounds ... they all A 13-season veteran of German football, the attacker decided the time was make a difference." right to take up a new challenge. Uprooting his family to head to far away After a slow start, the two-time Germany capped Müller, who had stints Australia to continue his career at the Wanderers. in the Bundesliga with Mainz 05, Hamburger SV, Eintracht Frankfurt and And, it's a decision he hasn't regretted, even if the few months proved to Hannover 96, has really hit his straps, impressing with his qualities as a be an eye-opener as he worked hard to get to peak fitness and fit in with the leader and an attacker. style of the team. Müller scored his first goal for the club against Wellington in Round 9 and followed "My friends and former teammates were surprised. 'Why are you going so up with a double against Adelaide United in Round 12 game on Boxing Day. far away from Germany?' they asked me," said Müller. As well, the German provided an assist for Mitchell Duke to score against "The coach (Markus Babbel) rang me (about joining the Wanderers). I said Brisbane Roar on New Year's Day. this is a good idea, I can do this, I want to do this. “I feel now that I am much stronger and I have my confidence,” said Müller. "Then there was a small break, and he called again, and asked again. I “Everything is perfect now. talked to my wife and said 'why not'. “I want to play football, I love football. I am happy and I love the life here. "I am happy I did it. I love it here to play, to train and everything is perfect." My kids love it and my wife. The city is amazing, it is beautiful.” The 32-year-old, who is now sporting a brand-new platinum blonde hairstyle, Müller is confident that the Wanderers can start to make a run for the said the conditions in Australia were hard for him to content with initially. Finals and he is determined to play a huge part in that. Muller had not played for some time and his fitness needed work. The heat "We just need to fix the small details. We need to start to make a run, to and the hard surfaces were hard for him to content with initially. win games and to get points," explained Muller. “I think before the first three or four games, I needed a bit of time to get "I feel like I can contribute in that. used to everything,” said Müller. "I need to help and I want to help by scoring more goals and having more “The competition, the conditions, it is definitely different to Germany. assists. But we need all the team to work hard together." FEATURE 21

Muller celebrating his goal against Wellington Phoenix 22 FEATURE

WANDERERS TAKE ON CHINA CONFIDENCE AND BELIEF IS SOARING FOR OUR WANDER WOMEN AFTER THEIR HISTORIC WIN OVER CHINA

Wanderers Westfield W-League head coach Dean national team for the first time in their short history. Heffernan believes his squad will grow even more in belief A proud and buoyant Heffernan could not hide his delight and confidence after their landmark 1-0 win over China in with the result and the effort the girls put in, not just in the a friendly in Brisbane last week. game but during the four day camp on the Gold Coast. Given the space between games (16 days), the “I was very, very happy with the performance,” said Heffernan. Wanderers took the opportunity to have a four day camp “It has been a great trip for us. We had a really solid week on the Gold Coast to prepare for the game against the at training leading into it. Chinese as well as keeping the ball rolling for their “Coming into the game, we knew the girls would be a little Westfield W-League campaign. bit heavy and that was part of our plan. Amy Harrison scored what eventually proved to be the winner “But, to see the way they went about their business in the early in the game following a fine assist from Kristen Hamilton match, competed for everything as always, the energy and as the Red & Black beat the 15th in the world ranked Chinese. the effort, it was really special. It was a remarkable performance from the Wanderers “There was already a lot of confidence and belief in this squad women, who were far from overawed in playing against a and in themselves. But for them to go out and do what they did FEATURE 23

(Top) Harrison controls the ball. against the team ranked 15th in the world there is going to be so squad against the Chinese, who he believes were caught by much more belief now, so much more confidence.” surprise regarding the quality of the Wanderers. The Wanderers did the national competition and Australian “We didn’t ask for any feedback (from the Chinese), but I think women’s football proud with their performance. they were surprised a little bit,” Heffernan said. “They definitely It has set up the rest of the season for the Red & Black expected to beat us. They didn’t and that is good for us. according to Heffernan. “The other good thing is that I was able to give every “Every time they walk on the pitch they should know player in the squad a run and even when we made mass they can compete having outplayed an international team,” changes during the second half, the quality did not drop. Heffernan added. “The full squad got to play and it was easy for them “But, we have to keep our head down, stay humble and because nothing has changed for us since we walked in the keep working hard because that’s the minimum for us. door from day one in terms of our system of play, what we “As long as we work hard and play with energy and effort want to do and how we want to go about the games. we know we can win against anyone.” “It was easy to put those girls in and we created more Heffernan said he was able to use every player in the chances to score.”

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TAKE FIVE 25

TAKE PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY FIVE THE DARK DAYS MAY BE OVER, BUT WE'RE NOT FINISHED YET SAYS ERICA HALLOWAY.

Everyone was fit, everyone was just as good as the person next to them. To know we have an entire squad that can do a job is great. But the job is not done yet. If we don’t continue to win, if we don’t keep going, the competition is too short and the points are too close for us to drop Every year we say ‘we are going to do it any points. this year, this year, this year’ and after all Yes, we have done well but we can’t stop the hype at the start of the season, with there and sit on our haunches. the new facilities, the player signings, the I think we have managed to hit every new coaching staff, it is good to finally be component with this group of people. able to have said we are going to do it this We have the quality internationals, good year and actually be doing it. youth, experienced players and Matildas To get a derby win (5-0 over Sydney as well. FC earlier in the season) and as We have a great balance on the field and convincingly as we did was definitely keep saying we have the right attitude. a highlight, but going way and playing We don’t have the egos that come with against a national team (China) with a the higher exposure people where the win was something else. heads start to expand. We utilized the whole squad (against That is fantastic and that is the key that China) and not just the starting XI and you will help us continue in the second half of wouldn’t have been able to tell who was a the season because the attitude of the girls starter and who wasn’t. is that the job isn’t done yet.

 GET YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS PLAYED AT WANDERLAND. CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MATCH DAY PLAYLIST. SEARCH WSWANDERERSFC ON SPOTIFY.

ALL NIGHT LONG LIONEL RICHIE HENRIETTA THE FRATELLIS COSBY SWEATER HILLTOP HOODS DISCO 2000 PULP GO WEST PET SHOP BOYS CLAP YOUR HANDS SIA KERNCRAFT 400 ZOMBIE NATION TAKE ME OUT FRANZ FERDINAND RUN FOO FIGHTERS THE WANDERER DION

WE'RE BACK

IN THE COMMUNITY 27

RURAL AID AT THE FOREFRONT HELPING Following the devastating bushfires that However in light of the Bushfire crisis our have recently affected much of Australia fundraising efforts will now extend over and on the back of a long and arduous two rounds and incorporate both tragedies. OUT drought for our rural communities, the Eleven of the twelve clubs will host Football Federation of Australia have home matches in Rounds 14 & 15 of the dedicated last week and this week's Hyundai A-League and Rounds 9 & 10 This week our Centuria Wandercrew rounds of the Hyundai A-League and of the Westfield W-League. At each of members of the week are our MiniRoos Westfield W-League to acknowledge these these matches fans will be able to show Coordinators! disasters and raise much-needed funds to their appreciation to the emergency This group of volunteers help out at all our assist those who have been impacted by services and volunteers who have worked Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League these events. tirelessly throughout this crisis and also home matches preparing the MiniRoos to go Back in December, the Wanderers family acknowledge the tragic loss of life in NSW, out on field and play small-sided games! and Red & Black Bloc contributed a total Victoria and SA. These volunteers are part of the Centuria of $48,812.47 to the Australian Red Cross' At the same time there will be the Wandercrew workforce and roles range from Disaster Relief and Recovery fund directly. opportunity at the matches to raise much helping with our activations to taking care Both Leagues had planned to host needed funds for assistance to families helping at various events we host over the drought relief fundraising this year in and their broader communities that have season. partnership with Rural Aid and their been affected by either the fires or the charity arm buyabale.com.au for the drought and in some instances both.  SIGN UP TODAY TO VOLUNTEER FOR round beginning 16 January and ending 19 THE CLUB VISIT WANDERLAND.COM. January 2020. It was to be renamed the  TO DONATE VISIT RURALAID.ORG.AU/ AU/WANDERCREW “HAY League round”. FOOTBALL

PRIDE. POWER. WEST.

CORPORATE NEWS 29

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