Calder United secured the NPLW Minor Premiership with a big win over title rivals Bulleen Lions, while there were also wins for Box Hill United and Alamein FC. Most impressively, Southern United notched up consecutive wins to earn the most nominees in the Round 20 Team of the Week.
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GK: Selena Karlson (Box Hill United)
The young outfielder was thrusted into goal this week after a head injury to Emily Shields, and performed admirably to earn her side the three points against Bayside United to go alongside a clean sheet. While some of her shot stopping wasn’t from the textbook, she managed to pull through each and every time. Swept well and distributed with equal confidence.
RB: Stacey Papadopoulos (Calder United)
Aside from scoring a fortuitous fifth minute goal, the fullback was again one of Calder’s star performers in the win over Bulleen Lions, putting in a number of well weighted deliveries. It’s marks an astounding 10th Team of the Week appearance in 2016 for the exciting youngster who has continued to scale new heights in her ascent to NPLW stardom. A huge part in Calder’s title-winning run.
CB: Antonia Niteros (Southern United)
The first of a large Southern United contingent in this week’s starting XI. The imposing skipper was brilliant in marshalling her defence against Galaxy United and relieved plenty of pressure to hold on for a win. She was dependable once more in the win over NTC and helped earn a clean sheet.
CB: Natasha Dakic (Southern United)
Player of the match in the win over Senior NTC, the centre-back shone against her former side as she cut off numerous attacks with an air of maturity. Earned a clean sheet and six points towards their bid to climb off the bottom of the NPLW ladder.
LB:Kasha Meyer (Calder United)
The American put in a composed performance against Bulleen Lions where she helped hold off her opposition until the 80 minute mark. By then the game was long gone, with Meyer contributing a headed goal to their four goal lead. She also cleared an effort off the line in an all-round good display. Has to squeeze in at left-back this week.
CM: Saphri Lines (Southern United)
It was a memorable week of football for Southern’s Saphri Lines, who spearheaded a six-point haul in the league. Her double in the weekend’s fixture against Galaxy United saw her side peg back a goal deficit to triumph 2-1 against their more fancied opponents. She followed this up with another brace from midfield against the Senior NTC to take her tally to four goals.
CM: Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
Another quality performance from Box Hill United’s star midfielder. The American did as she’s done all season and move seamlessly through the middle of the park to link defence to attack. Her set piece delivery was good all night, so it proved as she opened the scoring with a 15th minute free-kick.
LW: Jess Au (Calder United)
A busy bee on the right flank as she contributed heavily in both an attacking and defensive capacity. The winger got herself into plenty of good positions, hit the post and tucked away a brilliant goal.
LF: Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
Tore apart Heidelberg United and once more pushed her case forward for W-League recognition. The athletic Yank was front and centre as Alamein piled on three goals at Olympic Village, tucking home the equaliser before supplying an assist for Melina Ayres’ second.
RF: Brittany Dudley-Smith (Southern United)
Was a standout in Southern’s second game against the NTC where her quick-fire double on the brink of half-time extended the host’s lead to three goals. Worked hard and put herself in good goal scoring positions.
RW: Melina Ayres (Alamein FC)
Robin to Keane’s Batman.. Or is it Batman to Keane’s Robin? Either way the pair have combined with devastating efficiency in 2016, with the youngster notching up another two goals in a blistering spell off the bench. Will take divine intervention for her to not run away with the NPLW Golden Boot.
Substitutes:
Bethany Mason-Jones (Calder United)
Despite not having to make too many stops, the Calder United earns a spot on the pine for a clean sheet before coming off in the second half. Organised her defence well to settle her side in moments when Bulleen pushed on.
Anouk Meereboer (Southern United)
The third Southern United defender to make the Team of the Week. Meereboer was a standout in the win against Galaxy United and earns her nod off the back of that game.
Fede Frew (Alamein FC)
Frew bids farewell to the NPLW once again as she returns to the US. She does so off the back of a consistent performance against Heidelberg where she added creative spark from attacking midfield.
Cindy Lay (Calder United)
Lay continues her strong second half of the season with another bright display, which saw her produce some magical moments in attack. Put herself in the right areas and had plenty of chances to score, hitting the post with a glancing header before pouncing on a defensive error to score in the second half.
Kristie Shearing (Bayside United)
Shearing was the bright spark for Bayside United in a tough day at the office against Box Hill. Added energy from midfield and had plenty of chances to score but wasn’t able to break through.