GK: Erin Hudson (Alamein FC)
One of the winning custodians this week that didn’t necessarily require a match-winning showing. Though defending against the wind in the second half gave a bit of an added challenge for Hudson and a clean sheet is always welcome for a keeper.
RB: Aimee Medwin (South Melbourne)
Much of the South defence went untroubled throughout the 90 but Medwin also showed plenty of endeavour going forward, getting a few crosses and shots away which might not always have been on target but added another dimension to her side’s forward forays.
CB: Aneta Komijat (Galaxy United)
Not only was Komijat solid in her defensive responsibilities, her vision, composure and distribution were important factors that allowed Galaxy to maintain possession and break through lines of opposition defence.
CB: Kasha Meyer (Calder United)
An emphatic clean sheet for Calder, rarely troubled by Box Hill, it could have been any of the defenders making Team of the Week. Meyer gets the nod for her long ball that broke to become an assist.
LB: Alex Gummer (South Melbourne)
While it was a comfortable day for the South Melbourne defence, Gummer’s ability to identify the chance to break forward was no better reflected than her lung-busting run which ended with a striker’s finish for the goal, showing plenty of poise to round the keeper and find the back of the net.
CM: Amy Jackson (Alamein FC)
Dominant in the air throughout, Jackson could just have easily been named at centre back in this Team of the Week but gets the nod in midfield to reflect Alamein’s greater attacking threat after she moved up the pitch in the second half.
CM: Jess Kenyon (Galaxy United)
With a string of solid performances in the middle of the park, supporting her perhaps more well-known teammates, Kenyon has grown into a capable and reliable player who is displaying good knowledge of the role and responsibilities within Galaxy’s system, repeating the dose after coming off the bench early in the first half against Bayside.
RAM: MelindaJ Barbieri (Calder United)
Two goals and plenty of involvement in the build-up to other attacking chances, it was a prolific day in the front third for the Calder young gun.
CAM: Mari Pastor (Alamein FC)
In a game far more about misses than goals, it was Pastor’s finishing touch that made the difference on Sunday. Nicking in to convert on a tight angle for the opener, Pastor put the game beyond Bulleen with a clinical penalty eight minutes later.
LAM: Aleksandra Sinclair (Calder United)
Winning a penalty and giving off an assist, Sinclair’s return from the top flight has certainly not been to make up the numbers. With Calder desperate to break through against South Melbourne this weekend, could Sinclair give the edge?
ST: Lisa De Vanna (South Melbourne)
Two goals, winning her own penalty for the second, was the game-breaker. Off the back of Matildas camp midweek, while strike partner Melina Ayres was busy with Young Matildas duty, both still had a spring to their step against Heidelberg.
Bench:
Ash Lefevre (Alamein FC)
Unlucky to miss on a starting berth, the fullback enjoyed a productive day at the office, most notably helping restrict Bulleen opportunities down her side
Isabella Gee (Bulleen Lions)
Not at fault for either goal Bulleen conceded, the deadline-day addition to Bulleen’s team already looks fit and confident on the ball and capable of producing her best football sooner rather than later. One to watch in the final 7 weeks of the season.
Annabel Martin (Galaxy United)
No rest for Martin off the back of a week in Canberra and three games with the Young Matildas. A typically dynamic and attacking display from the right back meant constant counter-attacking threat for Galaxy
Rebecca Dempster (Calder United)
The Scottish import has flown under the radar in her start to life in NPLW but regular involvement in passing chains that ended in shots on goal for Calder on Saturday says more than enough about her integration into the title contender.