Fan Voted 2015 NPL Team of the Season
Over 3,000 individual votes were lodged this year – with people this year only allowed to vote once each – in an incredibly close run race for spots. Melissa Maizels of Ashburton pushed the top two keepers close for a spot in the team, as did Casey Comets’ Rachel Binning, Bulleen Lions’ Beattie Goad and a wealth of central midfielders. Only two players in the starting XI made the team last year, Annabel Martin of the Senior NTC and Alex Gummer of Boroondara Eagles both appearing on the bench.
THE VAULT > 2014 WPL Victoria Fan Voted Team of the Season
READ MORE > 2015 WPL Victoria Media Select Team of the Season
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GK: Christine Fonua (Heidelberg United) – 28.66% of the vote
“I’m pretty happy with the season we have had – it obviously could have went a little better but there is always next year. I’m happy to be a part of the Heidelberg club, they are a great bunch of girls and I’m excited for what lies ahead.” – Christine Fonua, Heidelberg United
LB: Holly Richardson (Ashburton United) – 66.28% of the vote
“Holly has been the most improved player in the league this year just because of her commitment, winning mentality and hard work towards improving on every aspect of her game.” – Sinisa Cohadzic, Ashburton United coach
CB: Alex Gummer (Boroondara Eagles) – 23.40% of the vote
“The 2015 WPL season was a challenging yet rewarding experience for me and all of the girls. Personally this year was a huge year of mental growth, I was unfortunate to miss a few games through injury, in addition to having a completely different role compared to my last year with the team. I felt that I was fairly consistent with my performances this season and I was able to grow into a better leader this year because of that.” – Alex Gummer, Boroondara Eagles
CB: Emma Checker (Ashburton United) – 23.79% of the vote
“Emma is a true professional that every time she steps up on the ground – be it training or a game – she sets an example of what lengths players need to go to be successful and become a class player.” – Sinisa Cohadzic, Ashburton United coach
RB: Annabel Martin (Senior NTC) – 39.06% of the vote
“It was a really good season, to be one of the eldest in the NTC was good, and to be given captain was good responsibility for me. Overall I thought we had a pretty good season, won some big games and I’m really proud of the girls.” – Annabel Martin, Senior NTC
CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles) – 19.16% of the vote
“Standing out as one of the most consistent midfielders in WPL – maybe the country – Jackson’s work ethic off the pitch was evident on the pitch as she barely missed a beat, playing as an aggressive 10 or a playmaking six. From a teammate’s perspective Amy was clinical and dynamic. You could count on her to score goals, make forward runs, clean up defending errors, contest for the ball and always be looking to be part of the play and create goal scoring opportunities.” – Rani Cavaretta, Boroondara Eagles
CM: Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill United) – 11.68% of the vote
“The Corner Flag attracts followers who love local football, so to be voted by those peers for the Team of the Season is humbling. It has been a tough season for our senior women at Box Hill this year, with a couple big names out during the season – Melissa Barbieri and Ellie Brush – but also having various injuries for the team. To their credit, the team team soldiered on and adapted to various positions and we had loads of youngsters step up from reserves and perform brilliantly.” – Georgia Koutrouvelis, Box Hill United
CM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United) – 10.22% of the vote
“I’ve had a lot of fun this season. They’re a great bunch of girls at Heidelberg, and the coaching staff are so great to get to work with. I’m really proud of everything that we achieved this season. It’s a surprise, but an honour to make the Team of the Season, but I really think I owe it to the people around me – fantastic teammates, friends and mentors. Looking forward to next season!” – Julia Nicolaci, Heidelberg United
LW: Nicola Westwood (Sandringham SC) – 47.41% of the vote
“The key to Nicola Westwood season was she managed to remain injury-free for the first time in three seasons, which enabled her to maintain some consistency. Nic adapted well to the changes in formation and improved defensively over the course of the season. Managed to pop up and score some crucial goals as well, the injury-time winner against Casey at Kingston Heath a highlight. Very much a team player.” -Deborah Nichols, Sandringham SC coach
ST: Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles) – 57.73% of the vote
“I am honoured to be selected for WPL Team of the Season. This season has been one that I will never forget. I have been playing football for several years and played under some good coaches but this year I had the privilege to be coached by, in my eyes, the best women’s coach Shaun Ontong. He helped me improve my game immensely and taught so much more about this beautiful game and for that I am grateful. I would like to thank my teammates – it’s been one incredible seasons with such a fabulous group of ladies. Lastly I would like to give a huge thank you to my president Graeme Smith for all that he has done for me and the technical director Manny Koutroulis for getting to come to Australia to continue my football, it has been one unforgettable experience.” – Taryne Boudreau, Boroondara Eagles
RW: Cristina Cardaci (Box Hill United) – 48.43% of the vote
“Firstly I’d like to thank my family for their continuous support. I’d like to thank the coaching staff at Box Hill United for giving me the opportunity to play senior football. Lastly, I’d like to thank all my teammates for pushing me to achieve the best of my ability. Specifically, I’d like to thank Georgia Koutrouvelis and Melissa Barbieri for their inspiration on and off the park! As a footballer this season, I felt as though I became more confident in my ability and I felt more competitive. There is room for improvement in my game, and I look forward to refining and working harder to improve for the next season.” – Cristina Cardaci, Box Hill United
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Substitutes:
Bethany Mason Jones (Bundoora United) – 27.62% of the vote
Sky Jensen (Boroondara Eagles) – 12.77% of the vote
Monique Iannella (Bundoora United) – 25.59% of the vote
Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles) – 9.12% of the vote
Ash Callaghan (Boroondara Eagles) – 8.76% of the vote
Anisa Guajardo (Heidelberg United) – 19.06% of the vote
Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United) – 35.04% of the vote