GK: Bethany Mason-Jones (Calder United)
The Calder shot stopper may have been on the losing side, but was certainly to thank for her side running South so close. A day of saves where the attacker was odds-on to score showed Mason-Jones’ ability to save any situation. It’s easy to forget that Mason-Jones is only 19 and still very much on the improve.
CB: Mikhaila Bowden (Southern United)
At the heart of Southern’s success on Saturday, Bowden was aerially dominant and rarely beaten on the ground as her team returned to the top four. A freak long shot and goal late in stoppage time with the game already won in no way diminishes another stellar showing from the American centre back. Was well complemented by the endeavour of left-back Tayla Evans, who has been a real work horse in Southern’s charge up the table.
CB: Marianna Anthony (Alamein FC)
Another stellar performance from the maturing defender who has found her feet with Alamein this season. The centre half did a spectacular role on the ever-dangerous Leigh Gray and was largely responsible for shutting out a Galaxy defence that until last weekend, had netted at least twice in every fixture to date.
CB: Mia Lantieri-Bartley (Senior NTC)
An aerial barrage could not find a way past NTC’s defensive pairing of Lantieri-Bartley and Claudia Mihocic, with the former particularly disciplined after an early yellow card. Bulleen struggled to penetrate an NTC defence that continues to grow its reputation.
CM: Courtney Hueston (Southern United)
A goal and an assist for the American central midfielder who continues to tick over impressive displays of passing and dribbling. A perfectly weighted long shot capped a day out for Hueston as she battled the normally unstoppable Kristina Hall of Box Hill.
CM: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
The Canadian withstood the midfield challenge of Enza Barilla, Emma Robers and MelindaJ Barberi to stand alone as the premier ball player come full time on Sunday. With midfield partner Jamie Pollock dropping to centre back at half time, Martineau and Julia Nicolaci were left to turn the game squarely in South’s favour.
AM: Sarah Richardson (Heidelberg United)
The former WPL Gold Medallist was in fine touch yet again for Heidelberg and has been one of the form players in the competition. Forced to defend from the front with Rita Mankowska going down early and was able to curb her instinctive attacking intent to provide a solid midfield display.
AM: Candela Ferreyra Bas (Southern United)
The attacking midfielder in full flight is a dazzling sight and Saturday may have been her best showing of the season. A top-10 goal of the season contender was followed by a typically busy and creative performance from the Southern playmaker
AM: Francesca Iermano (Senior NTC)
The attacking midfielder is featuring in the current series of girls’ national team trials against boys teams, and why not given her current form. With the ball glued to her feet, Iermano had the Bulleen midfield chasing her in desperation for much of Monday night’s match.
ST: Kyra Cooney-Cross (Senior NTC)
Another goal and assist for Cooney-Cross whose hot streak shows no sign of slowing down. In a game where both teams had dominant spells, it was the killer touch from the NTC forward that set up Nia Stamatopoulos’ equaliser, before she netted a late winner for herself.
ST: Cortnee Vine (Heidelberg United)
Bayside proved a welcome opponent for Vine, who put aside her recent struggles to find the target with two goals of the highest class on Saturday. The first a near full-field run after defending a corner, the second a volley that showed the striker’s reaction time and technique.
Bench:
Emily Kenshole (Galaxy United)
It was an incredibly tough decision to split the two best performing keepers of the week with Emily Kenshole in inspired form to shut out Alamein on the weekend. Retained a clean sheet and made a number of stellar stops. Will harbour further W-League ambitions after getting a taste with Melbourne Victory at the back end of 2016.
Alex Gummer (South Melbourne)
The South left back remains in peak form with another Team of the Week nomination after a sound defensive showing and a well-measured assist for Tiffany Eliadis’ opener on Sunday. The fullback was a key pillar in how South closed down the Calder attack after half-time
Caitlin Doeglas (Alamein FC)
Alamein were unlucky not to claim all three points against Galaxy in an impressive team performance. Much of this was down to the role that Caitlin Doeglas played in midfield, putting herself about and effectively shutting out the creative outlet of Adriana Taranto, while also not afraid to try her luck from distance, although proved no match for the heroics of Kenshole.
Lisa De Vanna (South Melbourne)
It didn’t look to be De Vanna’s day after seeing chance after chance go begging. The experienced campaigner was however able to get her own back with a trademark opportunistic finish to claim a crucial three points against title rivals Calder.
Alex Amore (Bulleen Lions)
The forward was a bright spark in a losing Bulleen outfit and directly contributed with her third goal of the year. It was a well taken effort too, with the winger showing a turn of pace to burst free, before finishing on a tight angle. Has adapted well since making the step up to NPLW level from Eltham Redbacks in the State Leagues.
Kendra Jones (Bayside United)
The American was voted best on for Bayside and the attacker had a few tricks hidden up her sleeve that her former side may not have seen. Had a killer ball in her locker and was the creative force as Bayside scored three goals.
Maja Markovski (Heidelberg United)
In her first 90 minute performance at senior level for Heidelberg, young forward Maja Markovski put herself about and provided ample support to Cortnee Vine. Having scored goals for fun at U18 level, Markovski has made a seamless transition into the first team and won a crucial penalty for her side as they registered a win over Bayside.