A chance to play a new position and work under Head Coach Rado Vidosic were the major factors in Kaityn Torpey’s decision to swap Brisbane for Melbourne.
Following a W-League debut at just 16, Torpey spent the first five seasons of her career at the Roar, but the time was now right to make the tough decision to move on and take up a new challenge.
While last season may have been a blip, there’s no doubt the professionalism and success of the Club played a major role in the hard-working defender’s decision to join City.
“City’s reputation and history is amazing,” Torpey said.
“I’m so excited to get over to Melbourne and be a part of it.
“It’s a big change, but I’m really looking forward to getting to work and I think it will be a lot of fun.”
The 2021/22 season will be Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s fourth at the helm, and his reputation is well known across the league, and certainly to Torpey.
“I’m really excited to work under him, and I think I’m going to learn a lot from him,” she said.
“It was probably one of the main reasons why I chose to make the move.”
Vidosic’s use of a back five – and more importantly, wing-backs – was something that excited Torpey. Given the Matildas shift to playing a similar way, she sees it as a great learning opportunity to develop as a player, and ultimately, learn a new position that she one day hopes to play for the national team.
“Rado basically said to me, ‘that’s what they’re doing, and that’s where we want you to be,” Torpey said.
“I’m really excited about playing as a wing-back, and I’m definitely more of an attacking player anyway.
“I feel like it will be great to learn both the defensive and attacking aspects of the position, and it will allow me to be more versatile and add plenty to the team.”
City’s squad as a whole – but more specifically the defence – is shaping up nicely as the season draws closer. Torpey is set to join the likes of Emma Checker, Rebekah Stott, Tori Tumeth and Chelsea Blissett in City blue for the 2021/22 season, and she said she’s looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s going to be very competitive, especially in defence, but I’m going to take it as an opportunity to work closely with the girls and learn plenty from them,” Torpey said.
They’re all amazing players who have great individual qualities, so I’m super excited to work alongside them.
“I’ll definitely be pushing hard to get plenty of game time. It’ll be competitive but at the end of the day, we’re all working towards the same goal.”
A competitive group is a sign of a strong squad, and there’s no doubt that Torpey along with her new teammates will be striving for a better result than the Club achieved last season.
While she admits she may not be the most vocal leader, City’s newest signing wants to let her actions do the talking and lead the way with her hard work and commitment on the pitch – be it in training or on matchday.
“I want to bring plenty of energy to the group this year,” she said.
“I’m not really the kind of leader to yell at people or anything, but I just want to get on the field and lead by example.
“I’m not going to stop running, I’m not going to stop working, and I just want to be that player brings the energy and helps to set a high standard.”
Head to citymembership.com.au to become a City Member!
