One less game, along with plenty of wide forwards/wingers being picked, made for a challenging task to put together a TOTW (but we always say that it’s a challenge to put together a TOTW, so enough whinging from us!)
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GK: Freya Crocker (Southern United)
There was lots of deliberation about a goalkeeper this week given there were no clean sheets, and many potential candidates backing up some good saves with conceding untimely goals. Crocker gets the nod as making numerous saves to conserve a result for Southern, who troubled Bulleen not for the first time this season.
RB: Hayley Richmond (Senior NTC)
Prominent throughout the whole contest, Richmond ran her flank with aplomb. Coming up against the likes of Goad and Ellis, she was no pushover and looked comfortable in battle – potentially highlighting a big future ahead.
CB: Mia Lantieri-Bartley (Senior NTC)
A cumulative pick based on a good recent run of games, capped by a good performance against a potent and physical Bulleen forward line consisting of Coppock and Privitelli/Goad attacking from the left and Gudelj/Lockhart from the right – very composed on the ball and good in the tackle led to a good centre-back performance.
CB: Jess Tay (Galaxy United)
Scored the equaliser and also put in the corner for the winner – not at fault for the goal Geelong conceded and was always busy dealing with the attacks from wide – mainly Bronte James on the right and Harbis from the left.
LB: Annabelle Martin (Galaxy United)
Shifted to the left for TOTW, Martin was ever-present up and down the right flank all game in a great battle with her former NTC teammate Emily Harbis. Showed she is also developing an end product to complement her defensive game, both with good crosses and by forcing saves from Erin Hudson in goals.
RCM: Maggie Eudes (Box Hill United)
Linked up well with Koutrouvelis before the latter was subbed off – Eudes then continued the good work with Jaimee Williams in the second half. She ran at the defence and challenged Anita Les all game in a well-fought contest between the two.
CM: Emily Hulbert (Box Hill United)
While both Box Hill midfielders deserve mention, Hulbert edges it on the basis of scoring and having a few touches of class to turn out of trouble and keep possession, continuing her promising form in recent times
LCM: Nikolina Bucalo (Senior NTC)
Bucalo played an important tactical role in driving Bulleen back as part of NTC’s pressing. Was busy in midfield and won numerous challenges against a more experienced midfield.
RF: Hannah Keane (Alamein NTC)
The hat-trick picks itself, really. The first goal especially was a classy effort. It may not even have been her best or most prominent game in an injury-riddled season, but still scored three in a real warning shot for the rest of the competition.
CF: Em Coppock (Bulleen Lions)
A cumulative pick over the two games. In a week that Bulleen would rather forget, Coppock at least was able to hold the fort in attack by scoring in both fixtures and provide some cheer up front.
LF: Caitlin Pickett (Galaxy United)
Scored a goal and was an ever-present threat to the Bayside defence. Exploited her speed to good effect to challenge Emily Heijden and the Bayside centre-backs throughout the night. Capped it off with the winner.
Substitutes:
Jaimee Williams (Box Hill United)
A bench pick as a genuine super-sub this week, Williams was subbed on as a bit of a floating mid effectively as Box Hill chased the game (Jade Feakes was also up forward and scored, if that’s any indication). Combined really well with Eudes and Hulbert to drive her side’s comeback and was a big reason why they finished strongly against Alamein, and all things considered were unlucky not to draw.
Emily Harbis (Bayside United)
Raring back into form post-injury, Harbis provided her usual threat in the forward line, standing out amongst her teammates and helping create opportunities that only she is able to.
Adriana Taranto (Galaxy United)
A positive performance as usual that didn’t allow Bayside to gain an ascendancy in the middle of the park. With Galaxy defenders and an attacker already in TOTW this week, Taranto formed part of that midfield link that complemented her teammates at both ends of the park.
Brittany Dudley-Smith (Southern United)
Would have to be one of the most-picked TOTW players of late as she continues to be a standout in her side. Dudley-Smith threatened the Bulleen defence and wasn’t afraid of taking on her opponents, scoring a crucial goal in her side’s comeback.
Harriet Cordner (Alamein FC)
What started as a breezy day for Cordner and co. turned into withstanding a late surge from Box Hill, which meant having to be on guard to see off waves of attacks and unconventional routes on goal. In the end, the three points came much harder-by than would have been anticipated after quarter of an hour.