It was a truly quality round this week, with most teams in the competition – including the strugglers – putting on spirited displays. Some just did it better than others, and we found ourselves with a whole heap of nominations to sift through. So kudos to the league for giving us a headache – a good one at that – in compiling the Round 7 Team of the Week
GK: Teresa Morissey (Senior NTC)
NTC may have conceded four, but it could have been more if not for the efforts of Morissey between the sticks, who on various occasions denied strong shots on goal from Taryne Boudreau, Amy Jackson and Emma Hubbard, whilst also being proactive in coming off her line to sweep up dangerous through balls.
CB: Samantha Tighe (South Yarra SC)
Giving away a penalty and an own goal may sum up a central defender who’s had a disastrous game. However, the handball call was dubious at best, the own goal damn unlucky, and it won’t prevent Tighe from making the Team of the Week, as she had a brilliant night cleaning up Sandringham’s attacks with aplomb, frustrating the hosts to the very end.
CB: Emma Littlewood (Boroondara Eagles)
There were times in the contest when the NTC looked threatening in possession, but for the majority were nullified up front by Littlewood and central defensive parnter Sky Jensen. Impressive at intercepting passes, heading away aerial balls and also distributing, Littlewood helped make sure for the most part Anna Lanning had little work to do.
CB: Laura Phillips (Heidelberg United)
The usually freescoring Bulleen were, for the most part, subdued on Monday, and it was in no small part due to Phillips’ efforts at the back, marking her opponents tightly and making strong challenges to prevent goalkeeper Kelsey Quinn facing too many efforts at her goal.
CM: Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles)
Another professional performance in midfield from Jacobs, who may not have scored, but was involved in the majority of the Eagles’ play going forward, including a delightful run down the wing and cross for Hubbard’s goal. Her passing and vision was superb and kept NTC’s defence on their toes all night.
CM: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
It’s a bit of an exaggerated cliche to say a player was ‘everywhere’ on the pitch, but Martineau comes as close as possible to actually fulfilling that cliche, having been deployed as a fullback on both sides and a midfielder against Box Hill. She was as busy as a bee, playing pinpoint passes and pushing up the ground to aide South Melbourne’s cause in attack
RW: Jess Au (Bundoora United)
Au was superb everywhere up and down the flank. While she didn’t notch up a goal or assist, she was still the most dangerous player on the park, effective at both ends with a silky display of skills.
CAM: Claudia Dimasi (Bundoora United)
The super-sub is a starter in our Team of the Week. Coming off the bench early to replace the injured Rachel Alonso, she had a say in three of the four goals. She won the ball with some dogged chasing to allow Bisby to cross to Barilla for one goal, earned a free-kick for Bisby to convert another, and scored her own goal with a beautiful chip.
LW: Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United)
As two right-wingers did huge damage this week, we’ve had to shift Cloepfil onto the opposite flank. With speed and precision on show, the winger was in fine form, often breaking through the Caulfield lines. Her deep runs into the box were always piercing, providing cut backs from dangerous positions, leading to one goal and many more that were not converted. Add two goals in eight minutes to her list of contributions and you get a performance of the highest order.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
A goal and an assist is almost becoming the norm for the Kiwi, who was again instrumental in her side’s narrow 3-2 win over Box Hill United. The goal was fashioned through clever interplay with Eliadis, while the assist was a pinpoint cross to youngster Rhea Schreuder. A constant threat all day.
ST: Dani Jackson (Caulfield United Cobras)
A standout in a losing side, Jackson provided great leadership from the front, earning the lead in the first half and continuing to fight well into the match. Finishing the game in an advanced midfield role behind substitute Bree Gurr, Jackson’s versatility was also on display – she’s essentially played every outfield position on the park this season.
Bench:
Claire Imray (South Yarra)
The player with the coolest nickname – The Stingray – was also cool, calm and collected in South Yarra’s goals, blocking, palming and holding shots fired at her. She was again immense and in fact, it took a penalty and a wicked deflection just to beat her on the night.
Sienna Fogarty (Sandringham SC)
Consistent as always, Fogarty has progressed well over the last two seasons. Always has a presence in midfield and on Monday, her tenacity, set-piece delivery and general link-up play was terrific.
Melanie Camilleri (Box Hill United)
Provided a good focal point for Box Hill United, and was quite dangerous without hitting the heights she has over the last month. Didn’t get on the scoreboard but made clever runs, and created chances out of a short supply of service.
Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
Praising Boudreau may sound like a broken record, but Boudreau’s record in the WPL is anything but broken, with her form earning her the recent player of the month and another strong showing against the NTC. Looked like doing something amazing every time she received the ball, either dribbling past players or going on mazy runs. Scored a late goal but could have had many more if not for Morissey’s good work in goals, which is why the ‘keeper makes the starting and XI and the Canadian has to settle for a bench spot.
Laura Croft (Casey Comets)
The best player for the Comets was also the best on the field in the first half, though she faded a bit in the second along with the rest of the team. Broke up the play often and had plenty of pressure applied on her, though she dealt well with Bundoora and minimised their impact through midfield.
Laura Spiranovic (Ashburton United)
The forward provided a strong target through the middle of the park, holding up the ball well and creating space and time for her team-mates fending off multiple opponents regularly. Linking up very well with Cloepfil throughout the match, equalising with a beautifully placed ball from her team-mate and returning the favour 11 minutes later.