GK: Christine Fonua (Heidelberg United)
There weren’t many goalkeeping nominations this week but Fonua gets the nod for her efforts between the sticks, which included strong efforts to cut out deliveries and make good saves – eventually contributing to the deficit staying to at most the one goal.
RB: Annabel Martin (Galaxy United)
Coming up against the ever-dangerous Calder frontline, Martin had to be constantly on guard, and was one of the reasons her opponents’ chances on goals were kept to a minimum – her concentration and determination was uncompromising as usual.
CB: Sky Jensen (Galaxy United)
Like Martin, Jensen’s defending ensured the often freescoring Calder were not only kept to a clean sheet, but were also consigned to a 3-0 defeat at home. Was everywhere at the heart of defence cleaning up danger at first calling.
CB: Maddie Richardson (Box Hill United)
Two very solid performances at the back culminated in only one goal conceded across both games. Against Heidelberg, Richardson helped keep the prolific Leigh Gray contained, while also starting the passage of play that led to the winning goal.
LB: Emma Littlewood (Box Hill United)
Has been in blistering form lately, showing an array of ability at left back, including hardly putting a foot wrong defensively while marauding up the wing to get the ball forward. That was on display for both games this week.
CM: Emma Robers (Bayside United)
As usual, Robers ran the game from midfield, passing well and winning a lot of her duels and holding her ground when being challenged – she also achieved a goal and assist to boot.
CM: Rebecca Saber (Southern United)
Was up against it in centre midfield against the likes of Robers and Shearing, but Saber was the engine room doing a lot of the battling against her counterparts, and was often the one linking up with Lines and the attackers.
CM: Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
Just her usual technically proficient display in the heart of midfield, showing a clinical touch going forward. Assisted twice to ensure Bulleen extended their lead at the top with an important win.
RW: Charlotte McGilp (Box Hill United)
Like her other teammates in the XI, McGilp’s efforts were spread over both games. While she toiled up front against Heidelberg for often little reward in terms of the final product, against the NTC she was duly rewarded with a goal and assist to cap off a productive week.
ST: Laura Spiranovic (Galaxy United)
Spiranovic’s presence and hassling in front of goal helped her earn a brace on the day. There’s not much more that you can ask of a striker, and she performed her role up front with aplomb.
LW: Beattie Goad (Bulleen Lions)
Just a class above at the moment and made a big impact on Monday night accordingly, linking well with her teammates – particularly Ellis from left back along the wing – and also scored a goal.
Substitutes:
Liv Ellis (Bulleen Lions)
It was a toss up between Ellis and Littlewood but the latter got in by the virtue of her performance across two games. However, Ellis was equally impressive in the Alamein game, just never giving an inch away while also driving the ball forward with purpose.
Courtney Conrad (Bayside United)
Another standout alongside Robers, Conrad’s role involved playing a bit deeper and having a bigger role in build-up play, but still ended up with a goal and assist.
Saphri Lines (Southern United)
A very busy performance as usual from Lines as the creative player, also scoring a really impressive goal to aid her side’s cause.
Maren Heller (Box Hill United)
Returning to her best, Heller looked sharp in Box Hill’s midfield across both games, and was particularly dominant against the NTC with a commanding display in the centre of the park, despite being subbed off in the second half.
Nicolina Bucalo (Senior NTC)
Also playing in central midfield, Bucalo only played a half but changed the game, with her goal proving an absolute treat for spectators on the sidelines.