Pearl Slattery

I still love it as if it's my fourth season.

The club, the girls, a big part of my identity the last decade really.

Real privilege to captain the club for so long.

And I suppose up to people don't see.

More so, I'm always getting asked, last year are you going to retire?

You're dedicated, you're putting the work in the off-season, you look after yourself.

Those are the things people don't see, the gym sessions, the recovery, to be able to play as long as you can, I suppose.

I know a lot of people over the years, their career's been cut short with injuries and stuff, so I feel very grateful that I've been able to play for as long as I can at this level.

It's hard work at times, but as I said, I love it.

Yeah, I suppose you do.

Look, Hans is one of those OGs around the league as well, probably in and around my decade, if you like.

And Hans is probably a different position than me in midfield, so I'm sure she would have to adjust her game in whatever way they play.

But, I mean, just work hard, make sure the body's right.

Look, I'm a centre-back, so if you're clever enough, you can get the people in front of you and you talk enough to communicate.

I just think it's the hard work, the dedication, the recovery, all that sort of things.

It's a team game, isn't it, really?

So it's just working together with the team and the coaches and what they want.

I think we just have to enjoy it as much as we can.

Yeah, I wouldn't be the quickest either, but I think if you can read the game well, you can get yourself in a situation where you're not caught out or like that, reading the game.

I've watched a lot of football over the years, I've been playing for a long time, so I think reading the game would help you and we can be doing that ourselves as well.