Despite failing to defend its maiden Westfield W-League crown, Melbourne Victory still enjoyed a stellar 2014.
The 2013-14 champs bowed out in the Semi-Finals following a dramatic penalty shootout against Canberra United, missing out on a third consecutive Grand Final appearance. Victory completed the 2014 regular season in second spot – its highest ever finish – tallying 20 points and booting 26 goals.
Amongst a busy 2014 calendar, Melbourne jetted off to Japan in November for the 2014 International Women’s Club Championship, competing on the international stage for the first time. All of that occured under the stewardship of a new coach in Joe Montemurro, who had the arduous job of succeeding championship winning coach Dave Edmonson and left a resounding mark on the team in one of Melbourne’s most successful season’s to date.
With the W-League season now done and dusted, we take a look at Melbourne’s season in review.
THE GOOD
Highest ever finish
One must remember Melbourne won last season’s championship from third place and made it all the way to the Grand Final the year before from the same position.
Montemurro and Co. should take plenty away from a season, which delivered Melbourne’s highest ever placing since the league’s inception.
The Coach
Montemurro’s philosophy saw some of the best football played all year.
The UEFA Pro-License accredited coach delivered an entertaining brand of football, which saw heads turn and players excel under the popular character.
Melbourne enjoyed a six game undefeated streak following a shock opening round loss to Newcastle Jets and capped off the regular season with three wins of the trot.
Goals, Goals, Goals, and Goals
26 to be exact – the second most in the competition. Racheal Quigley lead the way with eight of her own during her first season in a blue shirt, equaling Jodi Taylor’s record which was set in the 2011-12 campaign.
The striker contributed with a handful of stunning goals all in contention for goal of the year, topping off the season with sublime hat-trick.
Amy Jackson followed suit, completing the season with five goals, which included a hat-trick of her own against Adelaide United.
W-League Top Scorers Charts
Christine Nairn
The W-league was introduced to American sensation Christine Nairn for season seven.
The 24-year-old marked her home debut of Victorian soil with a casual five assists and continued to the pull the strings and lead the way throughout the middle of the park.
Technically gifted and clinically sound, the twice-capped international dazzled on Australian soil, showing her class with a screamer from long range against Adelaide United.
Read More > Nairn: The Dossier
A Record Crowd!
Melbourne entertained Canberra United in the Melbourne Derby’s curtain raiser in Round Seven.
Despite losing by a goal to nil, 14,068 fans turned out for the historic occasion.
Match Report > Midfield battle telling as Victory falter
THE BAD
Inconsistency
Inconsistency plagued Melbourne at times throughout the 2014 campaign and a poor run of mid-season results almost jeopardised Melbourne’s finals charge.
Montemurro’s side went four weeks without victory, registering one point from a possible 12.
Three consecutive defeats to Canberra, Adelaide and Perth saw Melbourne fall well off the pace with three games to play.
The Defence
It might come off a little harsh but defensively, it just didn’t quite work for Melbourne this season.
Montemurro was forced to chop and change the back four more often than he’d have liked, which saw the starting eleven rotate from a back four to three and visa-versa throughout the season.
But youth is on their side, with Emma Checker a tender 18 years old, Hannah Brewer 21, and skipper Steph Catley – as hard to believe as it is – only 20. Individually they all had decent years, but as a unit shipped goals they perhaps shouldn’t have.
THE UGLY
There weren’t too many ugly moments for the year but we couldn’t look past these.
International Women’s Club Championship
We’ve been assured the performance wasn’t as bad as the score line reflects but to be on the receiving end of a 5-0 demolition on the International stage is hardly anything to commemorate.
Melbourne were eliminated from the 2014 International Women’s Club Championship via the hands of Japanese side Yunogo Belle, missing out on a date with English powerhouse Arsenal Ladies.
Club Imposed Suspensions
Rumours broke out disharmony amongst the playing group following an incident, which saw Checker and Lisa De Vanna suspended for one and two weeks respectively.