Round 5 threw up some wild results that left the defending textbook in tatters (except, to their credit, Bundoora), with the Corner Flag receiving more midfield nominations than… usual. Yeah, I had no creative analogy there.
Disclaimer: In regards to the Casey vs Boroondara match, with result still to be determined, we’ve had to hold off nominations until the outcome is known. So apologies to fans of those clubs, and once again our best wishes to Chelsie Selleck in her recovery.
Here is your Team of the Week:
GK: Kelsey Quinn (Heidelberg United)
It wasn’t a great week for those between the sticks, with some ‘keepers facing an avalanche of goals, while others had very little to do. Quinn gets the nod then, as despite conceding a Bisby bullet, did keep Bundoora out on a number of occasions to keep Heidelberg alive, although the efforts were ultimately in vain.
RCB: Gulcan Koca (Bundoora United)
Bundoora’s defensive prowess this season – on show again to keep Heidelberg scoreless – has been in no part down to the versatile Koca’s application as a centre-back. Calm under pressure, she was able to clean up everything at her feet or over her head, restarting play with neat distribution.
CB: Emma Checker (Ashburton United)
It’s not every day that a centre back in a team that conceded four goals features in the Team of the Week, but then again this wasn’t your standard WPL fixture. It was Checker’s courage, toil, assist and goal that earns her spot, as she stepped up for Ashburton to score a wonderful long range shot that nearly secured the win.
LCB: Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (Bundoora United)
Put in the ideal fullback performance, keeping her wing quiet from a defensive perspective, whilst also getting forward to help out the attack. The type of all-round performance and work-rate that coaches love.
CM: Alison Baker (South Melbourne)
It’s not just for her two late goals, but also all the work Baker put in the midfield throughout the contest. Broke up play, distributed neatly, and also delivered assists. Mind you, that last goal, a chip from distance, was a joy to behold.
CM: Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
One of the main destroyers on the day, Friend dictated Bulleen’s forward play from midfield, notching up a brace, an assist, and was the creator of numerous other opportunities to teammates.
CM: Annabelle Gibney (Sandringham SC)
In a true box-to-box performance, Gibney was everywhere in her side’s 3-1 victory. Always energetic, getting forward and tracking back, her presence in midfield – including a crucial goal – made the difference on the night.
AM: Ellie Brush (Box Hill United)
The Matilda and W-League player continued her impeccable form this season in the WPL, scoring a cracking hat-trick in a more advanced midfield role. At this rate she’ll be making her full transition to striker soon!
AM: Cindy Lay (Bulleen Lions)
Lay may not have been one of the seven goalscorers on the day, but was one of contest’s chief architects, having the vision and foresight to create many of Bulleen’s goals. She stole the ball to tee up Quigley for her goal, and then with one one of the moves of the game, after being surrounded by three defenders played a back-heel assist to Friend. Sublime.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
Involved from the outset with a mazy run down the right wing, you could tell it was going to be Dudley-Smith’s day. Scored a classy hat-trick, was denied a few more goals, and involved in the build up for a couple other goals. A constant handful for the South Yarra defence.
ST: Melanie Cammileri (Box Hill United)
Playing as the lone forward, Cammileri could have been forgiven for thinking she was part of an attacking duo, linking up often with Brush. A threat on the ball and provided a strong target going forward, scoring as well.
Bench:
Adriana Taranto (Senior NTC)
The deep-lying playmaker was a creative force on the night, displaying great vision and an array of passes that got her side into good positions, but unfortunately did not translate on the scoreboard.
Melissa Taranto (Senior NTC)
It was a case of like sister, like sister, as Melissa emulated Adriana’s efforts the week before to score a nice long range goal. Linked-up well with the deeper lying midfielders and the front third to try claw back the deficit, which ultimately eluded the NTC.
Racheal Quigley (Bulleen Lions)
Stamped herself on the game with combination passes with Friend and Lay that bamboozled the Ashburton defensive line. Wonderful first goal and on another day could have had many more.
Fede Frew (Ashburton United)
Had the stamina of a marathon runner, working up and down the pitch to win possession and make it count – it was her stellar run that provided Ashburton the leveller in the first half.
Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne)
It’s not often a hat-trick scorer finds themselves on the bench, but with so many other honorable mentions this week, Eliadis will have to settle for a bench spot. It was a typical Eliadis performance, effortless, elegant and clinical in front of goal.
Louisa Bisby (Bundoora United)
Like a fine wine, Bisby not only gets better with age, but also has us intoxicated by her match-winning ability. This time it was with a long curler that beat Quinn.