There were many young talents on show in the WPL season, but which ones dazzled the most and sparkled the brightest?
In the last piece for this WPL season just past, Zee Ko picks out ten players aged 20 and under from ten clubs and lists their contributions this season, while Michael Alesich works his magic and immortalises them in trading card form.
| Ashburton Womens SC – Azize Erenli |
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Age: 20
Appearances (Starts): 16 (13) | Goals: 0
Not content with playing in the shadow of older sister Seyma, Azize Erenli bustles around the Ashburton midfield creating chances.
Azize is one of the most skilful players in Victoria, once she gets going it’s very hard to get the ball off her. She’s very dedicated and serious about her football.
– Ashburton coach Chris Michail
Not to be left out: Jesse Kotsikas, Maria Patrikis, Harriet Cordner
| Box Hill United – Emma Heckenberg |
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Age: 15
Appearances (Starts): 9 (2) | Goals: 1
Originally a bench player, Emma Heckenberg impressed in her first start against Preston in mid-season and never looked back.
I play anywhere on the left, my favourite position is on the left wing but the coaches prefer me at left back!
– Emma Heckenberg
Not to be left out: Elaina Vatcky, Emily Hulbert, Ebru Efe
| Bundoora United FC – Melissa Missailidis |
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Age: 19
Appearances (Starts): 18 (18) | Goals: 1
The only player to start every league game this season, Melissa Missailidis shows a maturity and poise beyond her tender years.
I think Mel’s been our most consistent player over the last two years. Her speed and agility is among the best in the league.
– Bundoora coach Mark Torcaso
Not to be left out: Kariah White, Stephanie Galea, Matilda Ford
| Cairnlea – Ebru Hasan |
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Age: 17
Appearances (Starts): 15 (15) | Goals: 1
In what was a disappointing season for the club, Ebru Hasan shone in her defensive midfield position in front of the two stoppers.
Ebru can always be relied on to do the job. She’s ruthless with her tackles and never lets the team down.
– Cairnlea teammate Lucrèce Laverdure
Not to be left out: Christie Graham
| Casey Comets WPL – Brittany Dudley-Smith |
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Age: 19
Appearances (Starts): 17 (15) | Goals: 4
Casey Comets might have missed out narrowly on a Finals spot, but Brittany Dudley-Smith acquitted herself well with fine performances across the season.
Brit’s a very dynamic player, she has very good vision and isn’t afraid to take on players. She adds a good element to the way we play at the club.
– Casey teammate Jessica Calder
Not to be left out: Alexandra Gummer, Elsie Hibbert, Taryn Browne
| EAP Country – Jessica Pitts |
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Age: 15
Appearances (Starts): 14 (14) | Goals: 3
Jessica Pitts started the season as an attacking midfielder, and ended it in a defensive midfield position, but hardly missed a step in between.
Jess is the captain of the U16 state side, her development has been really good this season. If she keeps playing well and training under the right coach, she’ll go far.
– EAP assistant coach Christian Layland
Not to be left out: Isabella Scott, Phoebe Parker, Kari Gulson
| Heidelberg United – Demi Mihaloudis |
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Age: 18
Appearances (Starts): 16 (14) | Goals: 0
If there’s one constant in this year’s Heidelberg side, it’s the sight of Demi Mihaloudis bombing up and down the right flank for her club.
Demi’s done really good this season, the way she takes possession of the ball and when she sees any space in the centre of the field, she doesn’t hesitate to go into it and look for options.
– Heidelberg teammate Stacey Papadopoulos
Not to be left out: Caitlin Friend, Eleni Fakos, Stacey Papadopoulos
| Preston Lions – Antonia Boljesic |
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Age: 19
Appearances (Starts): 13 (10) | Goals: 0
She may not be the most skilful player on the ball at the moment, but you can always count on Antonia Boljesic to run herself into the ground for the cause.
A lot of players when they don’t get picked. their attitude tends to change. The one thing that impressed me about Antonia was how she kept fighting and fighting till she cracked the first team.
– Preston assistant coach Zivko Kolevski
Not to be left out: Elizabeth Eyar, Chole Cosentino, Iole Avenoso
| Sandringham – Emma Gunn |
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Age: 17
Appearances (Starts): 17 (16) | Goals: 0
The spotlight might have been on Sandringham’s attackers, but Emma Gunn was a tenacious presence at full back.
Emma came to us at the start of the year, I think she’s enjoyed her season here at Sandringham. She’s played with some good players here, and hopefully some of their abilities have rubbed off on her.
– Sandringham coach Shaun Parton
Not to be left out: Ashley Brown, Stephanie Tanti, Candela Ferreyra Bas
| South Melbourne Womens – Adriana Durakovic |
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Age: 15
Appearances (Starts): 18 (17) | Goals: 0
The daughter of Australian international defender and South Melbourne alumni Mehmet Durakovic, Adriana shows that she might just be a chip off the old block.
Adriana’s been very consistent, very reliable. She’s been good coming out of left back, not many people beat her so it was a very good season for her.
– South Melbourne team manager Pat Egan
Not to be left out: Sacha Philippou, Helina Vunderl-Messis, Drew Egan