Graphic: Alesich Design
The opening round of the 2017 NPLW season brought with it a number of star performers; namely some internationals that found their feet fast, a bunch of talented youngsters, some familiar names as well as four Team of the Week debutants.
GK: Allysa Dall’oste (Box Hill United)
The 15-year-old enjoyed a memorable NPL Victoria debut against South Melbourne on the weekend. Like Shields before her, Dall’oste was plucked from obscurity – playing her junior football with Bulleen Lions without getting a senior look in – but looked more than assured at this level, making two good saves to deny Britt Thomas one-on-one and escape with a well-worked clean sheet.
RB: Claudia Fruscalzo (Calder United)
The versatile defender moved back to the position she began her football schooling in and was one of the standout performers in Calder’s big win over the NTC. Worked the flank and provided a number of good chances for her teammates.
CB: Lisa Fonua (Southern United)
It was a mixed bag for the Fonua sisters on the weekend. While Lisa and Mon shone in defence, sister Christina was sent off for a foul just outside the 18-yard-box. Lisa was noted for her comfort on the ball and her ability to win possession back with her tough tackling.
CB: Katie Lee (Bayside United)
Uncompromising in the tackle and a strong presence at centre-half for Graham Dudley’s side. Lee has come on leaps and bounds since recovering from serious injury sustained at former club Casey Comets and her start to the 2017 NPLW season suggests a big season from her and an improving Bayside United outfit.
CB: Amy Marron (Alamein FC)
Noted as one of the standouts on her Alamein debut, American import Marron was a strong performer in a backline that excelled against Southern United. Had to deal with the busy figure of Bec Saber for the opposition and were it not for an unfortunate keeper error, she’d have kept a clean sheet.
LB: Liv Ellis (Bulleen Lions)
A game changer in the second half of Bulleen’s match against Bayside. Staring down the barrel of defeat, Ellis struck with an absolute worldie to help her side claim a last-gasp score draw at Kingston Heath. She will be looking to take further strides in 2017 having also played a role in Melbourne City’s W-League triumph.
CM: Emma Meckfessel (Calder United)
Billed as a defender before making the move to Australia, the athletic American was too hot to handle for a depleted Senior NTC as she bullied her way to a hat-trick from midfield. Scored a belter to open the scoring and was the main instigator for their six goals for.
CM: Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
Last year’s breakthrough international begun the new season as she finished the last. The star American scored the second of the afternoon against South Melbourne and was a key figure in the engine room as Pythagoras stormed to a 3-0 rout. She missed out on the FFV Gold Medal due to suspension in 2016, but could this be her year?
AM: Elaina Vatcky (Box Hill United)
Another strong performer for Box Hill, former Sandringham SC winger Vatcky played in an advanced position in midfield and fed off the service around her. Was central to plenty of attacks and netted in the last few minutes to cap off a good display against South.
ST: Rebecca Saber (Southern United)
Her goal may have come in fortuitous circumstances, but it was the least Saber deserved after a busy performance in the forward third. She was noted by many as the game changer for Southern as they claimed a point against Alamein.
ST: Caitlin Pickett (Galaxy United)
Galaxy’s talented teenager played up front and opened her account for the new season from a set-piece opportunity. The youngster will be looking towards another big season on the Surf Coast.
Bench:
Ingrid Phillipe (Bayside United)
Beats out NTC youngster Sienna Gidari for a spot on the bench. Phillipe made some crucial saves, which proved the difference between a draw and defeat for Bayside United.
Mon Fonua (Southern United)
The youngest of the Fonua sisters Monica enjoyed a memorable fourth appearance in the NPL Victoria. On debut for Southern United, she helped pin down the right attacking flank and frustrated an Alamein side that enjoyed the majority of the play.
Akeisha Sandhu (Galaxy United)
Deputising for a fellow former NTC product in Annabel Martin at right back for Galaxy United, winger Sandhu showed plenty of attacking intent from a defensive position and helped curtail the effects of the Heidelberg front third. Jess Tay was also noted for her strong performance.
Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
Toiled hard in the middle of the park across the 90 minutes and helped turn the tempo up in the second half to aid Bulleen’s dramatic two goal comeback against Bayside United.
Adriana Taranto (Galaxy United)
Galaxy’s star midfielder began her season in fine form with a commanding display in midfield. Fresh off a W-League campaign with Melbourne Victory, Taranto is fast becoming one of the more experienced campaigners for Vincenzo Ierardo’s side.
Amy Malander (Bayside United)
Broke the duck for her new club after just 20 minutes with a delightful left-footed effort. A good performer in a solid team display from Graham Dudley’s side, which saw Jamie Brown and Emma Runnalls also noted for their efforts.