The amount of nominations we received this week saw us take on a few extra players in the Round Nine WPL Team of the Week, testament to the quality that the league has produced thus far. Read on to find out who makes the cut for their stellar performances on the weekend.
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GK: Bethany Mason-Jones (Bundoora United)
Came to the rescue on a number of occasions for Bundoora United who were put to the test against Boroondara Eagles. They may have gone home without the three points they craved, but on a personal note, Mason-Jones was superb throughout. She notably denied Amy Jackson and Taryne Boudreau with super saves in the first half, but was also confident coming off her line and strong in the air.
RB: Alex Natoli (Bulleen Lions)
Despite being forced wide due to the Dolzan/Stockdale partnership through the middle, 19-year-old Alex Natoli was superb on the right of defence, showcasing the technical side of her game with some good counter attacking runs down the flank. She was as expected defensively sound and helped shut down that wing as an attacking avenue for Caulfield.
CB: Sienna Fogarty (Sandringham SC)
It was an unfamiliar role in defence for Sandringham’s skipper who had a stellar outing despite conceding an early goal. She expertly distributed out from the back and was a collected figure in the heart of defence next to Steph Parton, who has seen more time on the right of defence this year. The highest praise that can be offered is that she didn’t look like a midfielder doing a defenders job.
LB: Liv Ellis (Boroondara Eagles)
A performance that we’ve come to expect from the ever-talented fullback, Ellis was one of Boroondara’s star performers and has been stellar since making the switch from the NTC program. She commanded the left back flank with a good balance of attacking flair and defensive stability and is fast becoming one of the premier fullbacks in the competition, if she wasn’t already. Was up against Jess Au, who also had moments of brilliance, and against a lesser fullback would have threatened the goals.
DM: Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton United)
The Ashburton United skipper made herself busy across the length of the pitch to not only shield her defence, but also offer penetration in her passing forward. Made some blinding passes, with her vision to pick out a teammate superb on the weekend. Helped steady the ship when South Melbourne came charging home late.
CM: Ash Callaghan (Boroondara Eagles)
Midfielder Ash Callaghan has played the role defensive midfielder to perfection since coming back into the side with Shaun Ontong at the helm. Her game against Bundoora – where she displayed Xavi-esque vision and an ability to clean up entries into the final third which belies her stature – went a long way towards earning her side the three points and with it top spot.
CM: Melissa Taranto (Senior NTC)
Taranto absolutely bossed the midfield, playing centrally and seeing plenty of the ball against South Yarra. When the game needed a little spark, she provided it and was at the centre of what NTC did well, whether she was taking on the shot or assisting a teammate.
AM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
The form midfielder of the competition this season, Nicolaci just knows where the goals are. She has forced herself into double figures already this season in her role behind the strikers, little surprise after a blistering pre-season which lead to many predicting a big year. Opened the scoring with a beautiful chip and added a second soon after.
LW: Dani Gudelj (Bulleen Lions)
The Bulleen Lions winger was dangerous in a forward role across both flanks. She grabbed two assists in the first half to help Bulleen take an unassailable lead in a bright display of wing play. She also looked a constant threat to do more damage than she’d already done.
ST: Luda Laverdure (Caulfield United Cobras)
The Caulfield United striker equalised against Heidelberg with a well-taken goal, giving the Cobras a big boost in the first half. They did unfortunately go into the break 4-1 down at half-time, but when she secured a second with another classy finish, the comeback looked on. Despite eventually going down, she makes the Team of the Week for her consistent threat.
RW: Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United)
An absolute animal on the park, Cloepfil’s athleticism is nearly unrivalled in the WPL. She monstered the right flank with her pace and strength giving the South defence a multitude of problems. Put in two telling crosses to set up the opening two goals.
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Bench:
Ashleigh Bellman (South Yarra)
Another keeper that finished the game on the wrong end of a 2-0 result, but Ashleigh Bellman came away with plenty of pride as she took the place of Claire Imray who missed with a finger injury. She made a number of important stops against the NTC to keep them at bay for the most part, despite being breached twice.
Brittany Thomas (Ashburton United)
Thomas gets her second straight Team of the Week appearance on the back of a second brace in the league. Her movement off the ball was first class in the first half, as she got into the right place at the right time for two tap-ins.
Steph Tanti (Sandringham SC)
When we see that dogged will to chase down the ball from Steph Tanti, we see a truly class midfielder. That energy and work rate manifested itself as a stellar performance from the playmaker. She pulled the strings for Sandy and was the main attacking force both in a central role and on the right wing, while also contributing with two goals from set-pieces.
Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
She’s been a consistent performer for Bulleen in the engine room and on the weekend we saw yet another commanding display from the Melbourne Victory forward. Controlled the tempo of the game from central midfield and played a number of defence splitting through balls that gave Bulleen the advantage in the first half. Scored her sides third with a tidy finish.
Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill United)
The Box Hill midfielder was a force to be reckoned with, as she looked incredibly likely to either grab an assist, or grab a goal for herself. She rattled the crossbar early with a driven free-kick and showed plenty of energy in the middle in a dynamic display.
Christie Zwolski (Heidelberg United)
Heidelberg United’s new forward had a cracking game against Caulfield United Cobras, a sign of things to come from her in this league. She created plenty of chances for herself and could have on another day walked away with a hat-trick rather than the single she did get.
Lauren Didulszko (Sandringham SC)
Earning her first start of the 2015 season, Lauren Didulszko managed to keep the Box Hill left wing quiet throughout the contest. She was a surprise inclusion at the back given a recent spell away from the club on holiday but did plenty to bolster her stocks with a rock-solid display at right-back.
Akeisha Sandhu (Senior NTC)
Finds herself on the bench of the Team of the Week for a second bright cameo in as many weeks. While she may not have gotten as much game time as some of the other players, Sandhu threatened with her direct running and pace. She made a strong impact off the bench, scoring a goal that was ruled offside as well as putting in a number of quality passes.