The final round presented the challenge of all games held at the same time and difficulty getting some nominations together. That, coupled with some close and low-scoring encounters made standouts a difficult pick. Nonetheless, the final XI manages to squeeze in a representative from each four sides.
***
GK: Melissa Maizels (Alamein FC)
Hitting the right form and confidence just ahead of finals. Made a couple of important saves that preserved her side the clean sheet, three points and its winning streak ahead of the finals series.
RB: Charlee West (Bulleen Lions)
A solid performance from West, who for the most part ensured a tidy defensive showing and didn’t let much get past her on the right side of defence – a good warm-up for her personally for the finals series.
CB: Katie Lee (Bayside United)
Put in a valiant shift against prolific striker Leigh Gray, who was said to have noted the Bayside defence was the toughest she’d come up against. Was solid at the back and contributed to a deserved point.
LB: Bonnie Barnes (Heidelberg United)
An industrious shift by Barnes who continued to enjoy a strong end to the season defensively – a goal in the Team App Cup final and now a final TOTW placing.
CM: Holly Boldiston (Calder United)
Really strong influence in the game from a defensive workhorse. Work extremely hard to win the ball back when her side lost possession and was involved in some positive attacking plays.
CM: Maren Heller (Box Hill United)
A glimpse of the season that could have been if not injury interrupted. A dominant performance from the towering German that included a goal as her side recorded a last win of the campaign against finals-bound opposition.
CM: Saphri Lines (Southern United)
A creative and troublesome shift as usual for her opponents, Lines provided the type of attacking outlet going forward that has defined her season as one of Southern’s best.
CM: Selin Kurulay (Galaxy United)
A touch of class to Galaxy’s midfield, the former Matilda showed what she was capable of – her ability and influence in the middle of the park shone despite her horror run since returning to the game for Melbourne Victory
RF: Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
A big finals series is on the horizon for Keane after another dominant performance in the front third, troubling her opponents to no end with her physicality and ability with the ball at her feet.
CF: Leigh Gray (Heidelberg United)
Had a big battle against the Bayside backline, but like she has for most of the season, the American persisted and was able to reward herself by netting a trademark goal, which took to her to over 20 for the season.
LF: Brittany Dudley-Smith (Southern United)
Raced out of the blocks with a quickfire goal, and once again exemplified her impact up front for Southern, combining to provide that deadly combination with Lines.
Substitutes
Kasha Meyer (Calder United)
Great in the air from an attacking and defensive point of view. Also created some attacking opportunities from the back with her long range of passes. Almost got on the scoresheet with a few headers.
Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
Will almost certainly end the season as one of Box Hill’s best, her comfort on the ball and ability to pick a good pass and pose a goalscoring threat showcased once more in 2016 in the final round.
Kendra Jones (Bayside United)
Jones came back from injury very well and caused a lot of headaches for Heidelberg – while not featuring on the scoresheet her forward endeavour could not be faulted.
Melina Ayres (Alamein FC)
A final involvement of the regular season that summed up her season – another goal to seal the golden boot and cap off a prolific year for the young star whose stocks keep rising.