GK: Christina Fonua (Heidelberg United)
A marvellous display of shot-stopping allowed Heidelberg to earn an important victory over Bulleen Lions, where she showcased her ability on multiple occasions. Her save to deny a Caitlin Friend free-kick in particular was a standout.
LCB: Emma Gunn (Sandringham SC)
While she wasn’t too stretched on the day against South Yarra, the returning left-back – who made the mid-season switch from Heidelberg United – kept things incredibly tidy on her side of the field. She hardly lost a ball on day and got forward enough to help influence proceedings in the final third.
CB: Gulcan Koca (Bundoora United)
The Bundoora centre-half swept up a number of loose deliveries against Casey and helped limit their goal scoring opportunities to basically zero. Was strong in the air and confident with the ball at her feet in a commanding display.
RCB: Lisa Fonua (Heidelberg United)
The centre-half did everything in her power to keep the attacking prowess of Racheal Quigley and Cindy Lay quiet, using her strength and her wit to out play the Bulleen pair. Not often do we get the chance to put a pair of sisters into the Team of the Week together either.
DM: Emma Checker (Ashburton United)
Checker put on another breathtaking display in the middle of the park, where her unrivalled athleticism was really allowed to flourish at a windy Knox pitch. Her ability to carry the ball with confidence helped create space, and saw her involved in four of the five goals, including a goal and an assist.
LM: Olivia Edwards (Ashburton United)
Edwards had a strong game on the left flank, and ran tirelessly across both ends of the pitch, especially given her accountability with a three-player defence behind her. She ensured little offensively got the better of her, while her interplay with Briar Palmer – especially in the first term – was quality.
CM: Sarah Verdan (South Melbourne)
There’s another new face at South Melbourne and Sarah Verdan impressed those at Wembley Park on Friday night, with a strong showing in the centre of the pitch. She showed flashes of her ability, displaying a tidy touch and good ability with the ball. Her goal – a one-on-one with Melissa Barbieri – was well taken.
CM: Emily Hulbert (Box Hill United)
Despite featuring in a losing side, Box Hill’s Emily Hulbert was a bright spark for the hosts, running ragged through the midfield. She made clever runs at the right time, and wasn’t afraid to take the game on with the ball at her feet. Took her opportunity for a goal well, taking a touch and launching home from range.
RM: Anisa Guajado (Heidelberg United)
The Heidelberg attacking force was a on fire across the flanks in their win against Bulleen Lions, where she scored one and assisted another in a frenetic opening half. Her goal was world-class and her assist for Christy Zwolski was just as good, teeing her teammate with a perfect teasing cross from the right.
ST: Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United)
Caulfield United applied the stops on Ashburton in the first half, keeping them goalless up until half-time. The second half was a different story, as Cloepfil – who started the night off on the wing – plundered four goals as a striker, including the all-important first, and laid off an assist for Emma Checker. Game breaker
ST: Nicola Westwood (Sandringham SC)
The forward has been offered more space to work with in recent weeks, having been gifted a berth up front alongside Emma Runnalls over her usual left wing position. We saw a strong performance leading the lines against South Yarra this week, as she helped assist the first two goals of the contest while being involved in the third.
BENCH:
Alysse Brusamarello (Casey Comets)
A great outing for the Comets keeper who would be disappointed to not have come away with a result. Made countless quality saves throughout the contest as well as showing plenty of bravery to come out for loose deliveries.
Stacey Papadopoulos (Bundoora United)
The winger was involved in a lot of the good things Bundoora did against Casey Comets and was one of their best performers in an attacking sense in the first half. Made a number of good contributions running in off the left and took her goal well in the second half.
Annabelle Gibney (Sandringham SC)
Annabelle Gibney was once again on song for Sandringham, as she has been all season. The attacking midfielder seems to find a knack for finding space in the forward third, and capitalised with a goal in a strong performance.
Cristina Cardaci (Box Hill United)
The effervescent Box Hill winger was a bright spark for her side, especially in the first half, where she duelled with South full-back Lisa Farquhar, wreaking havoc in the South defence. Could easily have scored or assisted to put the game beyond doubt before she went off injured in the second half. With her influence curtailed, South went about securing the victory.
Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
Were she a little more clinical with the chances she created for herself, the Bulleen midfielder would be in the starting XI for the week. Alas, much like her team, she wasn’t able to get over the line, despite her best efforts. She was creative and domineering in the midfield and was a force in the forward half. Set-pieces were on point and eventually scored one in the 93rd minute.
Hannah Charman (South Yarra)
Despite ending up on the wrong end of a 4-0 result, the South Yarra defender put in a good shift in testing conditions. Despite the pressure that Sandringham applied, Charman helped deny their forwards space and time on the ball, and made countless last ditch tackles and interceptions, and was forced into making a number of clearances under pressure.