Caulfield United Cobras (10th, 2-0-9 -39)
The good: Yanni Galanis’ fledglings – including a number of 15-year-olds Kane, McDonald and Argyropoulos – are performing nobly in their first season of the WPL, notching up two wins now and pushing some bigger teams the full 90 minutes.
READ MORE > Learning curve for Captain Jackson and the Cobras
The bad: A few bad thrashings, brought about by key player injuries and departures, has meant the team has rarely been able to put out the same XI on the park two weeks in a row. Being underdone is the last thing a newly promoted team can afford in its first season at the top.
Verdict: It’s been a tough initiation into the WPL, but the players and staff look like they’re enjoying the challenge, and that’s the most important thing. C+
Heidelberg United (6th 6-0-5 +2)
The good: In terms of playing stocks, Heidelberg’s list is one of the healthiest in the competition. The standout of their hearty roster has been Julia Nicolaci who has arguably been the best midfielder in the WPL this season. Lisa Fonua and Laura Phillips has been one of the leagues more unheralded centre-back pairings.
READ MORE > Mihaloudis to bring the goals to Heidelberg
The bad: Their football has been scrappy at times this year, with an over reliance on long shots and moments of magic to win games. The Bergers have rectified their lack of width with internationals Elise Mamanu-Gray and Christy Zwolski who have both slotted in well.
Verdict: They sit ahead of the ledger at 6-5, siting a spot outside of finals but most importantly, the football and the structure has improved as each week goes by. They’ll be disappointed with their ladder position, but in equal measures optimistic because they look like they can be a finals team in the future. C+
Sandringham SC (5th, 7-0-4 +9)
The good: Somewhat flying under the radar, picking up points regularly. They don’t often score hatfuls, but neither do they concede goals in abundance. The progression of youngsters Emily Morris-Krause, Emma Robers and the like point towards a sturdy future. Sienna Fogarty has led from the front with consistent showings wherever she plays.
READ MORE > Nichols defends team sportsmanship
The bad: We’ll let this telling quote from Sandringham’s coach tell the story of season 2015. Long-term injuries to Emma Runnalls and Hannah Stuart haven’t helped.
“Inconsistent. The game [against Ashburton, 1-0 win] and the game against Heidelberg [2-0 win] earlier in the year are the two extremes on how well we’ve played. Yet you go to the Boroondara game, or the Bulleen game [4-1 and 3-1 loss] and that’s how poorly we’ve played.” – Deb Nichols.
Verdict: Eliminate the inconsistencies and you have a team that looks like they could return to their 2013 heights. The aim was finals, and they’re right on track but the next step is to cement themselves as a team that can go on and win the competition. B
Senior NTC (9th, 3-2-6 -6)
The good: We expect these youngsters to progress, but they have all made massive strides in 2015 so far. Bar one blowout, they haven’t looked easy beats and are a side capable of matching it with any team in the comp. They’ve unravelled a star in Teresa Morrissey who cuts an assured figure in goals for such a young player, while their defence has been crucial to the side so far this year.
READ MORE > Q&A with Joe Montemurro
The bad: Coaching uncertainty marred the early stages of the season, as Joe Montemurro started the season helping out in charge before Stefan Busso – brought in as an assistant – took charge. That didn’t affect the team too much however, with very few negatives to single out. As mentioned, a 8-1 loss to Ashburton was their season low point, perhaps also the couple of players that have left the program thus far.
Verdict: It’s all about development, and if we’re grading them purely on that, they’d get an A for the progress that has been made. Natasha Dakic, Hayley Richmond and Teresa Morrissey amongst others have made massive strides in their first year in the program, while we’ve seen improvement from the likes of captain Annabel Martin who has focused her energy into a good year in defence. Football results incorporated and it’s still been a promising start to the season for the youngsters. B
South Melbourne (3rd, 8-0-3 +17)
The good: A nice style of play under Socrates Nicolaidis, and fairly good chemistry despite a big turnover of players in the off-season. Brittany Dudley-Smith has been a standout with 14 goals.
READ MORE > Round 1-3 Player of the Month: Tiffany Eliadis
The bad: A few defeats, particularly against the teams around them on the ladder in Bundoora and Boroondara – most significantly a 6-2 trouncing by the latter. Injuries have also left the squad thin at times, shown by Lauren Farrugia being forced to wear ‘keepers gloves for the first time in her South Melbourne career.
Verdict: An impressive first season so far for Nicolaidis, who seems to be slowly building a better culture at Lakeside whilst maintaining good results on the pitch. A
South Yarra (11th, 1-0-10 -39)
The good: South Yarra have more than shown that they’re capable of competing in this league, putting in solid performances in losses against Heidelberg, Sandringham and Caulfield. They could easily have another three or so points in the bank. Their highlight by far was a 5-0 trouncing of Casey Comets.
The bad: The blowouts. They’ve struggled to contain clubs, with four, six goal or more results going against them this season. It’s all about consistency between game to game, which coach Danny Hall has admitted is a big aim for the club.
Verdict: Much like Caulfield, it’s been a tough start to life in the WPL, and more often than not they’ve been forced to contain rather than play football. But the evidence is there that they can do just that, so let’s see the shackles released in the second half of the season. D+