The big story from Round 20 was Casey falling to an agonisingly loss to Sandringham on Monday evening, the Comets now desperately hoping that fast finishing Heidelberg will somehow trip up in the last two rounds of the season.
It will have been quite a turnaround for the team from Olympic Park, but meanwhile Bundoora refused to let South Melbourne dictate play at Lakeside. The girls in yellow almost grabbed the win with a late fight back, but had to settle for a share of the points as Laura Spiranovic scored a 90th minute penalty.
Altona’s encouraging run continued with yet another win, the once toothless outfit now unbeaten in four weeks as they dispatched a sorry looking Cairnlea. No such luck for Preston or Bulleen though, as both plucky sides just failed to hang on in one goal losses to Heidelberg and Box Hill respectively.
Without further ado, we give you the best performers from the weekend that was.
Starting Eleven
Melissa Maizels: Unlucky to miss selection last week after letting in two late goals from South Melbourne, the Bulleen goalkeeper bounced back with a commanding display at home to Box Hill. For 84 minutes, Maizels repelled everything that was thrown at her, unafraid to come off her line when needed. A massive performance, even when she had her head stepped on once while making a save low down. There was nothing she could have done about the goal when it did came, and it took nothing away from one of her best performances this season.
Emma Gunn: Yet another splendid performance from the young Sandringham full back against Casey Comets as the back four shone. Gunn has been a model of consistency whenever she’s taken to the field this season, a sign perhaps that she’s finally living up to some of that potential shown when she first appeared on the scene as a VCL Country prospect. It can’t be easy juggling studies and football, but she seems to be managing just fine.
Alex Cheal: Far and away South Melbourne’s most outstanding defender this season, Cheal was at it again on Saturday as she kept the Bundoora attackers honest for most of the game. Whenever one did get through the net, it was usually Cheal who could be found hot on her heels to make the interception before they could unduly trouble Cassie Dimovski in goal. Mobile and a fierce tackler, Cheal is more than a match for most strikers in the division.
Emily Dolzan: Part of the credit for Bulleen’s strong defensive display against Box Hill has to go down to their defenders and Dolzan was more than serviceable on the night. Ellvana Curo and Amanda Lawless had a frustrating night in front of goal, as Dolzan and co. made sure they had to work for every inch of ground in the final third. It took till the late introduction of Stacey Papadopoulos to finally settle matters, but her second chance effort would probably have gone in even with four extra defenders given the way it sneaked through a crowded penalty box.
Sophia Dimitriou: Another morale boosting win for the ladies from Altona but Dimitriou will have been happy with her own personal contribution as the defence kept a clean sheet against Cairnlea. The central defender won crucial tackles and kept things tight at the back in an excellent defensive display. Altona’s fine form and collective shape has perhaps come a little too late this season, but it bodes well for their chances of bouncing back up next year.
Michelle Duffy: Another player who’s willing to put in the hard yards every week, Duffy was a tireless presence in midfield for Altona. The central midfielder closed down space and provided most of the creativity for her team as they hit Cairnlea on the counter. It’s been a solid season for Duffy despite all the turmoil at Kim Reserve this season, and their recent results will go some way to making the weekly sacrifices all the more worthwhile for the team.
Enza Barilla: She might not have scored this time round, but Barilla will more often than not be a handful for opposing teams. Such was the case again on Saturday as the Bundoora captain posed questions for the South Melbourne defence all afternoon. Popping up on the wing as well as up front, Barilla was more than happy to forage for the ball and take defenders on, allowing striker Caitlin Friend to make use of the spaces opening up as a result.
Alexandra Gummer: Once more a familiar face, Gummer’s had a ripsnorter of a season judging by the number of times she’s appeared in our Team of the Week. Despite things not going Casey’s way on Monday, Gummer played like a footballer possessed, contributing both offensively and defensively. A determined performance included plenty of efforts on goal, as well as some great challenges.
Tahlia Tisocco: Heidelberg’s Finals hopes are in their own hands now, after a scrappy come from behind win against Preston. Tisocco caught the eye playing on the right wing, looking dangerous and setting up countless opportunities with her lightning pace. The winger ran all day to secure the result and also had a shot cleared off the line.
Caitlin Friend: There were fears for the Bundoora striker after having to undergo surgery on a troublesome knee early in the season, but she’s showing few ill effects these days with goals aplenty. Friend might have only scored a single goal against South Melbourne, but was a constant menace all game, getting plenty of the ball and smashing one of the best volleys this writer has seen onto the crossbar in the first half.
Stacey Papadopoulos: This might be a controversial choice considering the amount of time that the winger spent on the field, but young Papadopoulos’ 20 minute cameo was a game-winning one. Bulleen looked to have done more than enough for a share of the points, but on came the pacey youngster to break Veneto hearts as she spun and drove home the only goal of the contest in the 84th minute. The way the entire Box Hill team leapt on her (including goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri running the length of the field) is indicative of how much the goal meant.
Substitutes
Elizabeth Eyar: Not the best of seasons in the outfield for Eyar, but she showed her ability between the sticks once again for Preston in Alexandra Bogdanovski’s continued absence.
Renee Zairis: The Heidelberg defender made several important clearances and was rock solid all day as they gained an important win over Preston.
Antonia Boljesic: A much improved performance from the Preston right back, making some key passes and helping to check some of the opposition’s forward runs.
Gulcan Koca: Feisty in midfield and working hard all game, Koca had the presence of mind to react fastest to a loose ball in the box for Bundoora’s second goal.
Emma Runnalls: A goal and an assist to the Sandringham forward, as she displayed good footwork, dribbling and control against the Comets.
Just Missing Out
Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne), Sky Jensen (Altona), Christine Fonua (Altona), Emily Thomas (Cairnlea), Laura Croft (Casey), Christie Parton (Sandringham), Sienna Fogarty (Sandringham), Tessa Sernio (Bulleen), Olivia Ellis (Bulleen), Mariana Rajcic (Box Hill)
Team of the Week XI: Maizels (Bulleen); Gunn (Sandringham), Cheal (South Melbourne), Dolzan (Bulleen), Dimitriou (Altona); Duffy (Altona), Barilla (Bundoora), Gummer (Casey); Tisocco (Heidelberg), Friend (Bundoora), Papadopoulos (Box Hill)
Substitutes: Eyar (Preston), Zairis (Heidelberg), Boljesic (Preston), Koca (Bundoora), Runnalls (Sandringham)
Many thanks to all those who contributed to this week’s edition of the Team of the Week, including reporters Tomasz Ng, Tim McGlone, Katie Lambeski, Sean Ellicott and Andrew Bishara as well as numerous match and club officials and players.