In one of the more unconventional Team of the Week set-up’s in recent memory, the starting XI will line up with no out-and-out forwards, while it was a strangely statistically successful week for the M’s of the league. With a stacked midfield, an Em on the bench and a staggering eight players featuring whose surname start with the letter M, Round Nine of the NPLW Team of the Week promises to be a mammoth one.
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GK: Teresa Morrissey (Senior NTC)
Carved out a clean sheet against a Box Hill outfit that perhaps had the better of proceedings on the day in terms of chances created. While her consistent work throughout the afternoon was highlighted, Morrissey’s crowning glory was a stunning save off a Melanie Camilleri shot late into the contest to help secure the full complement of points for her side.
LB: Olivia Edwards (Bulleen Lions)
It was a performance we’ve come to expect from the wing back, who coupled her defensive duties with a good attacking intent when opportunity presented itself. She curbed that instinct at the right times however and helped her side to a deserved clean sheet.
CB: Rita Mankowska (Heidelberg United)
Led from the back with distinction to deliver the Warriors a second clean sheet of the season against Bulleen Lions and break a four game losing streak. Her performance coincides perfectly with the announcement of a second beyondblue Bash to take place at Olympic Village this weekend, an event she helped found last year.
READ MORE > Olympic Village to host beyondblue Bash
CB: Kasha Meyer (Calder United)
The American is starting to find her straps again and put in what was arguably her best performance of the season so far. Meyer was a rock at the heart of defence and was able to round off a good display with a towering header to give her side a 2-0 lead.
CB: Claudia Mihocic (Senior NTC)
The young centre-half was given the unenviable task of man-marking the dangerous and powerful Melanie Camilleri, but she passed the test with flying colours. Mihocic was able to help her side to a clean sheet and put in the most assured performance of the NTC backline, who were all impressive in keeping their opponent to nil.
RB: Claudia Fruscalzo (Calder United)
Did a stellar job restricting the impact of crafty Alamein FC winger Rhea Schreuder, and her ability to shut out her wing went a long way towards a clean sheet and three points for her side. Fruscalzo has been one of Calder’s most consistent players to start the season.
CM: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
It’s a strong return to form for the Canadian who has been one of the Victorian top-flight’s best over a number of years. Martineau has been great over the last few rounds as South made their return to Lakeside and scored her first of the season with the opening goal against Galaxy.
CM: Elisabeth Robers (Southern United)
The Southern United pre-season signing did the business against her former side Bayside United, putting in a best-on-ground display and netting the only goal of the game in the process. The youngster looks to have a promising future ahead of her if she continues to develop the way she has this season.
CM: Adriana Taranto (Galaxy United)
The playmaker has really stepped up to the plate in 2017 and has been proactive in her approach to football. Once again, she was noted for her positive play in moving the ball forward and was able to get on the scoresheet herself – albeit fortuitously from a free-kick.
RW: Cindy Lay (Calder United)
One of the form players of the competition at the moment, the Timorese-Australian forward netted her fourth goal of the season on the weekend and looked to be Calder’s most potent attacking option against Alamein FC.
LW: Lia Muldeary (Senior NTC)
Lia Muldeary backed up her first senior goal last weekend with another in her last fixture. She was dangerous throughout and took her chance extremely well to net what proved to be the deciding goal.
Bench:
Bethany Mason-Jones (Calder United)
While there were a number of decent keeper displays – Emily Shields and Christina Fonua put in good shot-stopping performances, while Erin Hudson was solid before going off injured – it’s Mason-Jones who gets the nod. The Melbourne Victory stopper was forced into action to deny Cristina Cardaci’s cross from sneaking into her far post in the first half, then in a one-on-one in the second half.
Mikhaila Bowden (Southern United)
It’s been a number of consistent performances in a row for Bowden who has led Southern’s charge up the NPLW ladder after three consecutive wins. Grabbed the assist for Southern’s winning goal and was again commanding from the back to help limit Bayside’s output.
Annabel Martin (Galaxy United)
The returning Galaxy fullback can consider herself very unlucky not to be in the starting XI after an industrious performance down the right flank. She worked tirelessly down the flank and grabbed an assist for Pickett’s goal on the stroke of half time.
Emma Littlewood (Box Hill United)
Another defender that can consider herself stiff to miss out on a starting berth. Littlewood was Box Hill’s best in a tight contest, which saw the coin fall the way of the NTC.
Jamie Pollock (South Melbourne)
It’s yet another solid performance from Pollock who excelled in a defensive midfield role to earn a second consecutive Team of the Week nomination. The midfielder was combative in the engine room and cut off a number of promising attacks that Galaxy looked to launch.
India Tait (Bayside United)
The former under 18’s captain at Bayside United was given a starting opportunity for the first time in the NPLW era, having made 12 appearances off the bench over the last season and a half. Tait showed she was more than capable at this level by putting in a memorable performance in defence for Bayside as they fell to a narrow defeat. ‘Indi’ will be hoping to get more opportunities at senior level this season.
Christina Cardaci (Alamein FC)
Utilised as a striker on the weekend, the fleet-footed forward caused problems for the Calder defence, although she was unable to penetrate for a game-changing goal. The nimble Cardaci provided plenty of excitement and was a bright spark for the Dashers.