SHARING the head coach role with Ross Smith in 2025, Nicola Tenabel has stepped up from the assistant position and is excited about what the new season holds for the Calder Cannons. We caught up with Tenabel at the recent Preseason Testing Day to hear how the club is shaping up ahead of Round 1.

PRESEASON

“Preseason’s been really good actually. We’ve had a lot of work in terms of connection and unity. That’s really been able to push some of the players so we’ve had a big focus once you feel really trusted, it’s now them pushing each other so that’s how we’ve really kicked off the season this season and the results are showing a little bit which is good.”

TOP-AGE VIC METRO HUB MEMBERS

Chloe Baker-West
Utility | 165cm | 02/02/2007

“She’s currently getting through our final bits of rehab. She has been an absolute leader and just been announced as our co-vice-captain with two other players and she’s just such a dedicated player to her football. But she’s also really helping the team out as well, we’re looking forward to getting her. We obviously want her to be peaking for Metro so we’re really excited about that.”

Jade McLay
Tall Utility | 178cm | 01/02/2007

“Jade has been announced as our captain. She’s been a real voice of the team, she’s been great in terms of rallying the players around and in terms of the athletes pushing each other. We’re ready to see her on the field. Like Chloe she’s got a very high schedule going so we just need to make sure we maintain those, but we’re ready to see her hit the field, she’s pretty excited.”

>> PROFILED: 2025 Vic Metro summer hub

OTHERS TO WATCH

“One of our key defenders, Taylah Gilcrist. Really great intercept marker, we’re really hoping to see how she goes this year. She’s one definitely to watch in our backline. She did captain the Under 17 Metro squad last year, rotated into a bit of forward too, so we’ll see how she goes. Then we’ve got Eden Grant, she’s great, a big tall ruck. Really fit and great repeat efforts and so it will be good to see her out on the field.”

STYLE OF PLAY

“The big thing we’re talking about is joining in and staying connected. Hopefully you’ll see that on the footy field. You’ll see where players won’t just go and dispose and stop and watch, it’s about what’s next, how do I help each other out. We’re looking forward to seeing that flow through on the footy field and see how we go.”

SEASON FOCUS

“I think for us the regular season we’ll continue on the focus of pushing each other to develop. Ultimately we want to get as many girls drafted as possible. We’ll utilise days like this to have a look at how we’re doing in terms of some of our high performance and then what we can incorporate into our training to have them fully ready and rock and roll in Round 1. It’s exciting, it’s just around the corner.”

ROUND 1

vs. Western Jets
Saturday April 5, 11:00am
Highgate Recreation Reserve