Football Season Guide

A mediocre campaign last term. Had by far the worst discipline (9 red cards) and the worst defensive record (53 goals conceded in 22 games). Despite that avoided last place by 4 points but finishing 11th was hardly impressive. Coach Campbell spent only a year in charge. He failed to convince and was expectedly dismissed in the off-season. With the Jets not geared up for immediate contention they decided to give an inexperienced manager the job. The new head coach Stephen Hoylel’s only previous job was to manage New Zealand’s U17s. There Hoylel showed he can develop young players. Jets have plenty of those so this might be a great move in the long-term if things work out. Teenagers Emma Dundas, Claire Adams, India Breier, Josie Allan and Alexis Collins will be used often. Collins only just turned 17 but she already scored 4 senior goals last term. Expected to start much more often this season. The big issues in defence haven’t been addressed though. After having by far the worst defence last term Jets seem to have weakened further in that area over the summer. Solid goalie Danielle Krzyzaniak is gone. Anna Leat is not of the same class but she is projected to be the new number one. No major reinforcement in defence have been added so it seems it will be the same set of players as last season. The scoring record could be better now the prolific in this league striker Melina Ayres is back. She missed 18 months after giving birth and then spending time with her newborn. Ready to play football again and if her form is anywhere near as good as it was before the sabbatical she could be Jets’ main goal provider.