Media Select Team of the Season
It was a hard task sifting through a number of strong performers in the season gone by and cutting that number down to the squad of 18 we’re left with now. Our team has quite a youthful feel to it with five teenagers making the squad, as well as unique nine players to the fan-voted team of the season. Of course there are some strong performers that missed the cut, for that apologies go out to the likes of Caitlin Friend, Cristina Cardaci, Sarah Jacobs, Rachel Alonso, Melissa Maizels and a wealth more players.
THE VAULT > 2014 WPL Victoria Media Select Team of the Season
READ MORE > 2015 WPL Victoria Fan-Voted Team of the Season
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GK: Teresa Morrissey (Senior NTC)
The supremely confident shot-stopper was one of the revelations of the 2015 WPL season, with Morrissey a standout figure in her debut campaign, not just for her fiery red hair. She was assured, brave and a confident distributor, which paired perfectly with razor-sharp reflexes in a season in which she won the WPL Goalkeeper of the Year award.
LB: Olivia Ellis (Boroondara Eagles)
Her third season in the WPL system saw a change of scenery for the former Bulleen fullback. She started the year in the NTC system before moving mid-season to minor premiers Boroondara Eagles. An incredibly well balanced player, Ellis is equally adept at bombing down the wing and providing an attacking outlet as she is to keeping things quiet on the defensive side, more often than not doing both to perfection.
CB: Gulcan Koca (Bundoora United)
Another fine season for Bundoora United’s long serving utility saw Koca finish the season in the top 10 for the FFV Gold Medal. She wasn’t afraid to take the game on, playing almost like a deep-lying playmaker from defence and steering the ball diagonally to both flanks. She matched this perfectly with her own defensive duties in Bundoora’s possession based game style.
CB: Emma Checker (Ashburton United)
The former Melbourne Victory defender came to Ashburton to help lead a resurgence under Sinisa Cohadzic, and his side impressed in spades; largely part to Checker’s influence through the middle of the park. Looked a class above in the WPL at times and enjoyed successful spells both at centre-half and as a roaming playmaker in the centre of the park.
RB: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
Selecting a right-back was arguably the toughest choice we had to make when selecting this team, such was the impressive form of a number of players in this position. In the end Martineau got the nod for her consistency over the course of the season as she settled in a role in defence for the first time in her South Melbourne career. Provided drive down the flank and quality delivery from a deeper position.
LM: Melina Ayres (Ashburton United)
The 16-year-old enjoyed the season of her life in Ashburton colours, earning a Melbourne City contract on the back of her fine form in which she scored 19 league goals from the left wing. She impressed in spades cutting in off the flank and displays maturity beyond her years on the ball and is a fine decision maker.
CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
The central midfielder has done it all this season, clean-sweeping a number of Victorian awards along with a minor premiership and Grand Final appearance at club level. She’s creative, incisive and is one of the hardest working players off the ball in the league. Finished as the league’s golden boot winner with 25 goals in a season she dominated from start to finish.
CM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
The creative pivot that was central to much of Heidelberg’s success this season, Nicolaci began the season in fine fashion and finished it just as strong, putting her name on the map as one of the league’s best attacking midfielders. Was consistent throughout the season; technically sound with a fine first touch, but shines with the ball at her feet. Scored some cracking goals this year and set up a number more threading through balls to her teammates.
RM: Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United)
The athletic winger has had to bide her time at Melbourne Victory so far in this W-League campaign, but hopefully it won’t be long before she shows the form seen in the WPL this season. Cloepfil scored 20 goals for Ashburton United this year from the right flank and is a very direct player, capable of bombing straight into the area or drifting wider and supplying crosses in for her teammates.
ST: Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
The Canadian forward took the WPL by storm in her first season Down Under, dazzling opponents with her flair, close control and all round technical ability which saw her grab 25 goals in the league campaign. While a W-League contract evaded her this season, another strong season in the Victorian top-flight -should she choose to stay – could see her given an opportunity in 2016.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
The hard-working forward grabbed a win in her first ever WPL Grand Final – fair reward for a season in which she’s battled both on and off the pitch. Dudley-Smith is an incredibly smart footballer on the pitch, often dropping deep to bring herself in the game or wide to open the space for her teammates around her. One of the best finishers in the league and incredibly well balanced.
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Substitutes:
Christine Fonua (Heidelberg United)
After a years sabbatical, the former Altona keeper Christine Fonua returned to action with Heidelberg United to replace the injured Kelsey Quinn. She found herself undroppable after a string of fine performances where she cemented her position as one of the league’s best all-round keepers. She has great handling ability and an innate ability to sniff out danger and confidently stop it.
Lisa Fonua (Heidelberg United)
Much like her sister, Lisa Fonua was an important presence for Heidelberg, particularly in the back end of the season when they surged up the ladder into a finals position. She was an absolute rock at the back, performing her duties as as stopper to perfection and adding a real physical presence to the back four.
Sky Jensen (Boroondara Eagles)
Often flying under the radar in a star-studded team, Jensen set the tone by scoring in the opening game of the season and was a fulcrum of Boroondara’s defence throughout the Eagles’ campaign. She was solid in defence, strong in the air, comfortable on the ball, and a mainstay in a back four that was often forced to chop and change all year.
Enza Barilla (Bundoora United)
Bundoora United’s energetic skipper had another fine season for the club, with her attacking play underpinned by her energy to press and close down opposition midfielders. She moves with ease across the park and seemed to be central to any attacking foray Bundy enjoyed.
Carol Howes (South Melbourne)
Used as a proper utility under Socrates Nicolaidis, Howes added plenty of experience to the South Melbourne line-up, whether playing in defence or midfield. She was athletic and fit, often covering the length of the pitch many times over in a match. Scored a remarkable goal in the WPL Grand Final and helped her side to a second straight title.
Anisa Guajardo (Heidelberg United)
She arrived to Heidelberg with little fanfare, but what a journey it’s been for the Mexican international since then. A week after touching down she was at the World Cup, then came back to score a bagful of goals as her side made the finals. Then, to top it all off, she earned a W-League contract with Melbourne City.
Annabelle Gibney (Sandringham SC)
One of only two players to feature in this side that didn’t play in a finals team, Annabelle Gibney was one of the standout players for Sandringham in an attacking midfield role. A lot of the ball went through her in a strong season and finished top scorer for her side with 14 goals.