Young Matildas and Season Nine superstars Nickoletta Flannery and Grace Maher will return to Canberra United for Season 10 of the Westfield W-League.
The return of the two home-grown talents comes after the announcement of Michelle Heyman and fellow Young Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter, and is another boost to Heather Garriock’s burgeoning squad.
“I am very happy that Grace and Nicki are back for another season at Canberra United,” Garriock said.
“As well as their talents, they are two local Canberra girls who really help add to the heart of this team.”
Flannery and Maher both expressed their excitement at returning for another season in the Capital, and working with Garriock who they have already played for in the national setup.
“I cannot wait to play here at home again in front of my family, the fans and the Canberra community,” Flannery said.
“That green jersey has meant a lot to me ever since I was a youngin’ watching and cheering from the stands!”
“I’m just really looking forward to putting on the jersey and finishing off what we started last year,” Maher said.
“Heather has been really good over the past year, playing quite a mentor role and helping me through that Australian setup.”
Head Coach Garriock, heading into her first season, has coached Flannery at Sydney Uni this past season too, and said that she is looking forward to working with both girls and the talent they possess this season.
“I have coached Nicki at Sydney Uni this season and she has showed moments of quality with her ability to glide past defenders” Garriock said.
“One-on-one, she is just lightning quick”.
“Grace is a player that is composed under pressure with a great awareness of killer pass. Her maturity is well beyond her age.”
The two best friends bring some more hometown flavour to the squad, and all are in agreement that they can’t wait to get going together again.
“The most important thing in my eyes there is nothing better for these players than showing the younger generation of aspiring female players that there is a pathway in Canberra and it’s possible to play at the highest level,” Garriock said.
“It also is a real buzz to play in front of a home crowd especially with the fans we have at Canberra United – the best in the league!”
“Nicki and I are the two Canberra juniors who have grown up together, played together, we’re best friends and roommates at Young Matildas” said Maher.
“And I think it’s awesome to have someone that you can be best friends with outside of football and then get to play on the park with them.”
