The Corner Flag is back with the Team of the Season, rewarding the most consistent performers over the course of the Women’s Premier League campaign. In a new format, we’ll publish an article with two teams: our media select, along with a fan voted XI, where you select your standouts in 2015. Every few days we’ll post the shortlist for a particular position.
It was a tall order separating what was a pool of 20 or so standout players into a shortlist of 11 for this category. Whether on the defensive or attacking end of the midfield spectrum, these are the players that make up the spine of the team. They either stop opposition attacks before the backline is troubled, get the ball to the forwards, score themselves, or all three! Heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of a midfielder, and the below have proven themselves time and again this season.
Pick the three midfielders that you believe have stood out most this season via the link at the bottom of the page. You can vote once per day and make sure you share this around to ensure your pick makes the cut!
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In alphabetical order:
Enza Barilla (Bundoora United)
Bundoora’s skipper has it all in her locker – goal sense, an innate ability to read the play, precision passing and quality movement across the park. What makes her most damaging however is the fact that she nearly always looks forward when she plays the ball, which provides such a strong pivot point on transition. A cornerstone of Bundoora’s success over the past few season’s, Barilla deservedly nabbed a W-League contract with Melbourne Victory.
Ash Callaghan (Boroondara Eagles)
A player that always giver her heart and soul for her side, Callaghan is the embodiment of a team player. A hard nut in the middle of the park, she throws herself around to win possession, providing stable protection for her back four, before launching the ball forward to attackers to begin threatening passages of play. Has also shown a keen eye for goal this season, popping some memorable long shots in both league and cup competitions.
Caitlin Friend (FC Bulleen Lions)
Eyebrows were raised when former Bulleen Lions coach Bob McGuinness decided to play Caitlin Friend in a deeper midfield role rather than at striker, where she’d forged her career to date. Instead, the move turned out to be a masterstroke as the Melbourne Victory player provided an air of class to the midfield at the Veneto Club. A commanding vocal presence, Friend’s experience belies her age as she set up a number of great opportunities for her teammates as well as add 14 goals of her own. Were it not for a season ending injury, she’d be all but guaranteed a W-League contract.
Carol Howes (South Melbourne)
They say the desperate cries of Eagles defender Jess Tay can still be heard to this day at the Veneto Club, such was the manner in which Carol Howes scooted past her for a crucial goal in the WPL Grand Final. While her season may best be remembered for that telling moment, there was plenty more to like about her game in 2015 as she provided drive, energy and a strong aerial presence in the middle of the park for the Premiers. Even when forced into centre-back, Howes performed admirably as she not only helped keep it quiet at the back, but also start attacks at the other end with her foray’s forward.
Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
Simply put, Amy Jackson was the most influential player in the best side in the WPL. Did absolutely everything she could from the middle of the park, controlling the tempo of many a contest, providing cover for flair players around her to express themselves and of course casually grab Golden Boot honours from midfield with 25 goals for the season. There were certainly a few games won off the influence of the Eagles’ talisman.
Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles)
Remembered at the Corner Flag for her performance in the Eagles’ Round 4 win over South Melbourne, where she sliced the defence open with four assists. And it was that kind of season for Jacobs, whose contributions often flew under the radar in a star-studded team, but without her it just wouldn’t have been the same. An all-rounder in midfield, she was able to get back and defend, set-up teammates for goals, or score some herself, netting seven times in total in 2015.
Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill United)
Koutrouvelis was a constant presence in Box Hill’s midfield and can hold her head high despite an overall tough season for the club in 2015. One of the shorter players on the pitch, the midfield dynamo’s low centre of gravity certainly helped her weave through traffic with the ball at her feet. Comfortable in possession and combining well with anyone in spite of departures and injuries to teammates, you could always depend on Koutrouvelis to put in a classy performance.
Cindy Lay (FC Bulleen Lions)
From a team perspective it may have been a disappointing campaign for Bulleen Lions, but individually Lay was one of the bright sparks in an advanced midfield position. The playmaker’s array of skills and technical ability saw her provide bags of goals – 12 in total – and assists throughout the season. Lay’s form during the middle of the year earned her a Player of the Month award for Rounds 11-18.
Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
A simply spectacular season for Heidelberg saw Julia Nicolaci earn trials at Melbourne City after grabbing 17 goals and countless more assists in the WPL for 2015. The trequartista was one of the standout local players in the competition, providing some of the league’s biggest highlights with raking balls from the deep, screamers from distance and the occasional free-kick all in her repertoire. Finished high in the count for the WPL Gold Medal.
Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton United)
Call her Captain Courageous, because it seemed like there was hardly a game where Pfeiffer didn’t come off with a knock or suffering an injury, such was her courage and willingness to put her body on the line for her team. Did exceptionally well in a screening role to link defence with attack, and did also pop up with three goals of her own.
Jess Pitts (Bundoora United)
Tipped to have a breakout season at the start of the year, the Bundoora United, Australian U17 international and now Melbourne Victory holding midfielder Jess Pitts certainly delivered in her first season at the WPL club. The former NTC graduate was resolute in defence, and provided graft and steel to complement her midfield teammates. Always kept the ball moving and rarely missed a target in her deeper-lying role.
Select up to THREE midfielders you believe should make the Team of the Season below:
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