Angela Beard has joined Melbourne Victory, the highly rated full-back signing from Brisbane Roar on a one-year deal.
Beard made 29 appearances at Roar over three seasons, and Victory W-League head coach Jeff Hopkins is keen to resume working with the 20-year-old.
“I’ve worked with Angie at Brisbane when I was there,” Hopkins explained.
“I’m pretty excited about her and I think she will be a good get for us this year.
“She’s an aggressive player, and defensively she’s good one versus one. She loves to get forward and has a good left foot.”
Beard’s strengths will fit right into the way Hopkins wants the team to play in the upcoming campaign.
“We need to get our full backs forward this year,” Hopkins explained.
“Having either our wingers delivering crosses or when they come inside, to have our full backs in a position where they can get forward.
“She’ll get up and back, deliver good quality balls from wide areas, and she can do it for 90 minutes.”
Beard has spent most of the winter playing for Heidelberg United in the Women’s NPL, and Hopkins has been impressed with what he’s seen.
“She’s participating really well, she’s getting a lot out of the games and also doing a lot of work on her own as well.
“She’s very driven and single-minded and that’s what I like about her. She’s moved into a place here (in Melbourne), she’s independent to test herself.”
Hopkins predicts big things from Beard if she can find her best form with Victory this season.
“She’s potentially a Matilda. When I was with her at Roar the last season before I left, she was an Under 20 international.
“She’s one I think can kick on and push herself into that Matildas squad.”
Stay tuned to melbournevictory.com.au over the coming days for more W-League signings.
