As expected, Alamein’s week, which bore gold with two wins by a combined 12-1 margin, means the club occupies almost half of the TOTW starting XI. It was quite an incredible week for Sinisa Cohadzic’s side. Elsewhere, it was a difficult side to compile, with plenty of midfield nominations and no out-and-out striker.
***
GK: Bethany Mason-Jones (Calder United)
Produced some important saves to ensure Calder preserved their lead against Bayside and didn’t drop points to a fast-finishing outfit following Bronte James’ goal.
RCB: Maria Patrikis (Alamein FC)
In the side for the game against Southern, Patrikis’ well taken goal, and a clean sheet to boot, epitomised the kind of day it was for her and her teammates.
CB: Christine Pfeiffer (Alamein FC)
On her return from injury, Pfeiffer hardly put a wrong. Despite the lopsided result, Southern’s forwards are no slouches, and the captain ensured there were no slip ups at her end while her side’s forwards did the damage up the other.
LCB: Sadie Murphy (Galaxy United)
Murphy, alongside compatriot fullback Annabel Martin – who is also unlucky to miss out on a spot – was constantly averting Box Hill’s danger and then did well to get forward and support her side’s attacks.
CM: Megan Fish (Alamein FC)
Despite the team scoring goals in abundance, it’s not always about the individual tallies. Fish may not have featured on the scoresheet, but she did run the midfield both games, providing plenty of quality moments that led to opportunities.
CM: Maren Heller (Box Hill United)
Her vision and energy in midfield proved difficult for Galaxy to cope with, and she toiled all day in hopes to spark her side to victory, which just didn’t eventuate in the end.
CM: Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
Did lots of the so-called donkey work in midfield, mopping up any Heidelberg danger before it became a goal-threat. Provided an important link between defence and attack.
RM: Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
On her day, Keane can be one of the most destructive players in the league. Was at her best against Southern, leaving her opposition’s defence stunned with her trickery and clinical finishing, netting a hat-trick.
LM: Aliesha Newman (Calder United)
Was generally lively going forward and scored what proved to be the winner after half an hour. Proved difficult for defenders with her pace and trickery on the wing.
LF: Kariah White (Galaxy United)
The diminutive figure of White proved elusive for Box Hill to handle, buzzing around the forward line and netting the winning goal – her first of the season.
RF: Melina Ayres (Alamein FC)
An impressive couple of performances from the youngster, who has continued on from her stellar form of 2015. She backed-up a worthy contribution in the Southern game with a double against NTC.
Substitutes:
Elly Torre (Heidelberg United)
A sound defensive performance from Torre, who did well to restricted the ever-dangerous and freescoring Bulleen’s chances from her wing throughout the contest.
Dani Gudelj (Bulleen Lions)
Gudelj provided a spark going forward, linking well with the forwards and providing some good deliveries to her teammates.
Britt Thomas (Alamein FC)
Who knew what to expect when Thomas came off the bench in the 52nd minute. With Alamein breezing to victory, perhaps a low-key half to save some legs for the midweek NTC game? Nope, in the end Thomas compounded the visitors’ misery with a hat-trick off the bench, complete with some neat finishes.
Bronte James (Bayside United)
The 17-year-old continued her bright start to the season with her fourth goal of the campaign to get her side back in the game. It wasn’t to be, but her performances certainly haven’t gone unnoticed in the NPLW world.