GK: Alyssa Dall’Oste (Box Hill United)
It was a superb solo performance from Box Hill’s number one, who made a string of fine stops across the 90 minutes at Lakeside Stadium. She was on her game to deny the dangerous Lisa De Vanna on a number of occasions and made two brilliant point blank saves at the death off Tiffany Eliadis.
LB: Liv Edwards (Bulleen Lions)
The Lions made a roaring return to form to snap a three game run without a win. Her assist from a corner helped get a second half rout against Bayside started as they raced away to a 6-0 win. Scott on the other defensive flank also put in a very serviceable display
CB: Emma Littlewood (Box Hill United)
Did a great job to nullify the effectiveness of Melina Ayres who was kept scoreless for the first time since Round 1 of this season. She doubled up in wide positions to help quell the danger posed by De Vanna.
CB: Mikhaila Bowden (Southern United)
The centre half played a large role in the opening goal at HA Smith Reserve, with her early direct free kick rattling the post before getting tapped in on the follow up. Forced a number of saves out of Erin Hudson in goals while of course also contributing defensively to maintain a clean sheet.
RB: Annabel Martin (Galaxy United)
It’s been a bright return to football for the Galaxy fullback who has stringed together a number of fine performances for her side from the right side of defence. Against Heidelberg, she was able to seamlessly transition from defensive to attacking duties in the tie at Olympic Village.
CM: Akeisha Sandhu (Galaxy United)
A couple of positional shifts to start the season for the speedster who was a staple on the wing for the NTC, Sandhu put in a great shift in the centre of the park alongside Adriana Taranto. Her positional change comes due to the return of the aforementioned Martin.
CM: Enza Barilla (Calder United)
It’s a first appearance in the Team of the Week for a player whose been accustomed to featuring regularly over the years. The midfield maestro was on form as the creative force to help her side towards plenty of goals, while also putting in her fair share of defensive work to keep a clean sheet.
AM: Brittany Dudley-Smith (Bulleen Lions)
Dudley-Smith wound back the clock to put in one of her best performances in the NPLW era, finishing with two goals and an assist. Her finish for the brace was clinical while a lung-busting run helped set up a simple tap in for compatriot Emily Coppock.
LW: Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
This was Privitelli at her very best. The winger took the game on across the entire 90 minutes and her pace and direct running proved well too much to handle for the Bayside defence as she finished with a goal and two brilliant assist, with the winger creating plenty more across the entirety of the game.
ST: Lisa De Vanna (South Melbourne)
The blue-chip forward let fly at every occasion at Lakeside, peppering the Box Hill goal but was denied by some brilliant work from Dall’Oste and twice by the upright from free kicks. Created plenty for herself and showcased an incredibly dangerous burst of pace.
RW: Cindy Lay (Calder United)
Lay has been in inspired form of late and she enjoyed a five-goal week of football spread over two games. She nabbed a brace in the league on the weekend to help put to be the Senior NTC.
Bench:
Emily Shields (Bulleen Lions)
She may have had busier afternoons in the past, but Shields was solid, if not spectacular, to help the Lions to a second consecutive clean sheet. A great save of Vanessa Hynes in the second half was a personal highlight.
Kasha Meyer (Calder United)
The Calder defensive unit was as solid as ever and it was a hard task separating Meyer and Binning for a spot on the bench. We opted for the American who did more of the defensive work in keeping a clean sheet, also nabbing a goal for her troubles.
Caitlin Doeglas (Alamein FC)
Alamein’s best performer in the narrow loss to Southern United, the midfielder worked hard but was ultimately unable to help create an opening for her team.
Emily Coppock (Bulleen Lions)
It was a great little cameo for Coppock who came off the bench with 10 minutes on the clock to register an assist and two goals in quick succession. They were poachers efforts, but the all-round performance will go a long way towards boosting the confidence who’s only recently made a return to NPLW football.
Sarah Richardson (Heidelberg United)
A former VPL Gold Medallist in 2010, Sarah Richardson has featured in the last couple of weeks for Heidelberg United and put in a bright display, grabbing the only goal for the losing side.
Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
In a tight performing midfield machine, Natalie Martineau was one of the standouts. Toiled at both ends.
Adriana Taranto (Galaxy United)
The catalyst for much of Galaxy’s good work helped split a relatively tight contest in which her side were forced to mount a late comeback t0 get past the Bergers.