This week saw agony for South Yarra and Casey, elation for Shaun Ontong as Boroondara’s new coach, and 25 goals spread over the six fixtures – at a rate of over four goals per game. With attacking brilliance the flavour of this week, here is your WPL Victoria Team of the Week:
GK: Claire Imray (South Yarra S.C)
The South Yarra ‘keeper was on song the whole game. Almost everything that was thrown at her she’d block, parry, catch or bounce away, keeping South Yarra in the lead almost single-handedly. Alas it wasn’t meant to be as Yarra copped two late goals, but Imray’s contribution on the day is duly noted.
RCB: Claudia Fruscalzo (Bundoora United)
While the Bundoora defensive pair of Gulcan Koca and Fruscazo didn’t have too much to do Saturday afternoon, the pair did it well as they dictated the play from a defensive area. Fruscazo played just ahead of her compatriot, often sweeping up danger and used the ball well to start swift counter attacks, including getting forward for an assist. Looks the goods in a more central defensive role.
CB: Emma Checker (Ashburton United)
Solid at the back, Checker ensured nothing got past Ashy’s defence, whilst also kickstarting play quickly with her distribution out of the back. Should’ve scored with a late chance, but otherwise a solid outing.
LCB: Annabel Martin (Senior NTC)
Martin bossed the left side of defence, putting consistent pressure on Bulleen’s forwards when she could, and getting forward to overlap Lefevre and Knight to challenge the Bulleen’s right flank. A top all-round performance.
CM: Jess Pitts (Bundoora United)
Young Pitts was Bundy’s midfield enforcer against Caulfield, helping unlock the Cobras’ tight defence and then breaking up play well when her opponents had the ball and were looking to counter-attack. A true box-to-box performance that had everything but a goal.
CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
Jackson was once again outstanding for Boroondara, notching her second hat-trick of the season and playing a key part in a fourth goal that eventually counted as an own-goal. It was all the more impressive considering the opponent was South Melbourne.
CM: Adriana Taranto (Senior NTC)
Taranto worked tirelessly all night, distributing neatly and scoring a scorching goal from 30 yards out. She passed accurately, kept a high tempo, and fed the ball constantly to attacking outlets Lefevre, Knight and Richmond.
AM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
Heidelberg’s late hero scored her second brace in as many games. Her first goal was a neat finish, while the second was a distant shot right at the end of the contest to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
AM: Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles)
Call Jacobs the architect because four assists says it all, really. Blink an eye and you’d have missed it, as Jacobs was lightning quick with the transition ball, playing in the likes of Boudreau and Jackson in on goal all night.
LF: Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
The Canadian import, who is adept anywhere along the front third, has already made an impression down under and had a scintillating first half against South Melbourne. She scored the opener and continually kept South on their toes with her runs in behind the defence, also assisting Aliesha Newman for her goal.
RF: Whitney Knight (Senior NTC)
Noted as the player of the match against Bulleen, Knight was instrumental in her side’s win, scoring almost from the corner post for the third goal and providing the assist for the second goal, whilst constantly threatening the Lions’ backline.
Bench:
Jaye Todd (Caulfield Cobras)
Todd may have conceded in four goals, but she prevented many more and made crucial saves to frustrate Bundoora for the first 40 minutes. A standout for Caulfield who put in an honorable effort on the day.
Sara Alberici (South Yarra S.C)
Another standout performer for South Yarra, Alberici assisted one goal and scored another to give Yarra their best chance of a first WPL victory. Combining well with Marques and Mealin, she stood out at the front of South Yarra.
Adelyn Ayton (Heidelberg United)
Ayton was everywhere in midfield, keeping pressure up high and feeding the ball through to various forwards. She never seemed to rest throughout the whole game and was a key contributor in the win.
Louisa Bisby (Bundoora United)
Bisby’s set piece delivery was immense all day, and she scored two goals to boot. The first was the opener just before the break and essentially the nerve settler for the hosts, while her second goal was straight from the corner spot.
Emma Runnalls (Sandringham SC)
In a game of few standouts, Sandringham’s Emma Runnalls put in a bright shift before going down with a leg injury. Looked destined to score as she saw several shots, headers and glances all stopped by the Casey defence. The work-rate she displayed was at the highest so far in her career.
Rachael Binning (Casey Comets)
It was a tough loss to take for Casey Comets on Monday night, who saw Sandringham strike twice in quick time to salvage an impossible three points. Had they claimed the win, Binning’s position in the starting XI would’ve come with no questions asked. She was hard working – as was the entirety of the back four – and applied pressure at the right times to keep the Sandy strikers at bay for 90 minutes. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough for the win.
Monique Ianella (Bundoora United)
As a right back, Ianella also offered plenty going forward, so much so that she played almost as a winger at times. Scored a top goal at the end, running forward and beating three defenders before hitting the back of the net.