With two games left uncovered – FFV versus Bulleen and Ashburton versus Casey – it was a little bit of a struggle to fill a team this time round, but with a little digging, we managed to compile our XI, complete with a trio of Bundy outfielders and two Cairnlea representatives
It was also perhaps a bit harsh on South Melbourne who had less representatives than their opponents despite prevailing 1-0, but it pays testament to the steely resolve Cairnlea showed in their survival bid, right until the final minute.
Formation: 3-5-2
GK: Diarna Cartwright (Cairnlea FC)
One of her sides best, Cartwright denied South Melbourne on a number of occasions to prevent a repeat of the pair’s last encounter, where seven flew into the net. She made a host of crucial saves to take Cairnlea’s safety battle right to the wire.
RCB: Alex Cheal (South Melbourne)
The captain was tasked with organising a young South Melbourne side and was kept very busy by a plucky Cairnlea fighting for their WPL status. While it wasn’t their best afternoon as a team, the centre-back toiled hard in a surprisingly back’s to the wall performance. Escaped with a clean sheet which saw her side wrap up the minor premiership.
CB: Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton WSC)
Superb as she’s been all year, Pfeiffer managed to keep together Ashy’s defence to hang on for a tight 1-0 win against Casey Comets. Kept together her side’s WPL status too.
LCB: Emma Robers (Sandringham SC)
With Sandringham playing a three at the back formation in Wednesday night’s crucial clash against Heidelberg, it was Robers’ role as a marauding left wing-back that saw her push up to open the scoring, setting up Sandy for an unlikely finals berth. I know, it’s a fair bit of a stretch fitting her in at centre-back, but it was a tough week for defensive stand out’s so we’ll make do.
LM: Ellen Turner (Boroondara Eagles)
Was the best afield for Boroondara who succumbed to a Michelle Verzi led Heidelberg outfit. She laid on the assist for Hubbard before rounding the keeper in the 90th minute to add one of her own.
CM: Louisa Bisby (Bundoora United)
The towering midfielder put in a player of the match performance in midfield as she systematically dismantled Box Hill with her concise delivery. She slotted home a delightful free-kick to get the ball rolling in the 7th minute. The veteran then had her say in another three goals, laying on a pair of assists for Elly Curo as well as seeing her shot cannon off the crossbar into the path of Stacey Papadopoulos.
CM: Zoe Stamatopoulos (Cairnlea FC)
Was best on in Cairnlea’s narrow 1-0 loss to South Melbourne which ultimately saw Ric Marchioli’s girls relegated into State League 1. Her best work came in the front third, where she came close on a number of occasions to scoring a crucial goal.
CM: Michelle Verzi (Heidelberg United)
Arguably the best performer of the round, it was the Michelle Verzi show against Boroondara Eagles in what proved to be an all-important three points for the Bergers. She was absolutely everywhere for her side, and put the strong defensive unit that the Eagles possess to the sword.
RM: Padiki Dade (Bundoora United)
Dade – like Bisby – tormented her former club, running riot as she’s done all season on the right flank. Power, pace and quality delivery were all delivered in spades by the imposing winger, and she was one to really make a difference on Saturday. She also netted one herself to put the icing on the cake.
ST: Emily Coppock (FC Bulleen Lions)
The centre forward has finished the home and away season in inspiring fashion, piling on two goals against the NTC girls. With finals now here for the Lions, can the cup winners complete the double?
ST: Elly Curo (Bundoora United)
The Albanian international started Saturday off in an unpromising manner but managed to shake that off to net a clinical hat-trick. It came in quick time too, netting three in the first half, all within 15 minutes.
Thank you to Shaun Moran (@MoranShaun), Jason Turner (@jaseangelo) Bryce Clayton and Sean Ellicott (@SeanEllicott) for their input.