Graphics: Alesich Design
GK: Teresa Morrissey (Senior NTC)
The NTC shot stopper looked comfortable all game, plucking aerial balls from the reaches of her opposition attackers and making a number of important saves, especially in the second half when Alamein began to turn up the pressure gauge.
LB: Ashleigh Lefevre (Alamein FC)
Playing two games a week seems to suit Lefevre’s style, as her NPLW form has risen sharply since the NPLW Select started their series of mid-week matches. Another physical counter-attacking performance against NTC showed the young fullback’s ability to read the play and take on opponents
CB: Jaimee Williams (Alamein FC)
Having copped five goals against NTC last time the teams met, Alamein opted for Williams at centre back to deal with the pacy threats of their opposition forwards. An uncompromising display of tough tackling and quick backtracking from the youngster went some way to ensuring a clean sheet on Sunday.
RB: Annabel Martin (Galaxy United)
Another energetic display for the tireless fullback, who completes the backline comprised entirely of former NTC products. Martin scored once and was incredibly solid throughout, supported ably by Sadie Murphy who also impressed. She ousts South Melbourne’s Victoria Argyropoulos from the team.
CM: Adriana Taranto (Galaxy United)
The central midfielder was vital to the way in which Galaxy United executed their game plan, controlling the play from the engine room. She popped up to score a goal of her own in a game that drew praise from all corners.
CM: Emma Robers (Calder United)
Robers did the work of two midfielders in the centre of the park as her immense defensive work-rate was capped off with a stunning goal to put the game out of reach of Heidelberg. The youngster has continued to take her game to new levels with her new side.
CM: Enza Barilla (Calder United)
Barilla joins her midfield compatriot in the starting line-up after yet another workman like performance, which was capped off by one of the better strikes of 2017, chipping the Heidelberg United goalkeeper from outside the penalty area.
CM: Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
As tiresome as it may be to hear each week, Kristina Hall was yet again a standout as Box Hill conceded late to draw with Bayside United. Scored her side’s only goal – her third of the campaign – and seemed to be on a different level to the others on the park.
AM: Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne)
While Eliadis’ two Gold Medals in the WPL era were built on the back of big goal tallies, this season the midfielder continues to impact games with passing and movement that opposition teams struggle to contain, which again was on display as South accounted for Bulleen.
LF: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
A rare game in the front three, the Canadian showed her versatility by running the Bulleen defence ragged. While there’s no doubt Martineau’s first instinct is to pass rather than shoot, playing her up front may be a viable option should Lisa De Vanna (Matildas) and Melina Ayres (Young Matildas) become unavailable later in the season.
RF: Melina Ayres (South Melbourne)
In the absence of De Vanna, Ayres has once again assumed the mantle of her side’s spearhead figure, scoring a second consecutive league brace in the win over Bulleen Lions.
Bench:
Bethany Mason-Jones (Calder United)
Off the back of a W-League campaign, Mason-Jones has continued to put her name forward as one of the best goalkeepers in the league. Another solid performance against Heidelberg United saw her grab a well deserved clean sheet.
Mia Lantieri-Bartley (Senior NTC)
The defensive record of the Senior NTC has seen a big improvement over recent weeks, with defender Lantieri-Bartley at the centre of their change of fortunes. While they were unable to take a point from Alamein FC, they conceded just once in a narrow defeat. From conceding an average of three goals a game to shipping just two in their last three, if the NTC can fire on all cylinders, they’ll pick up plenty more wins before the season’s conclusion.
Caitlin Doeglas (Alamein FC)
The Alamein midfielder was a standout in the win over the NTC, with her goal enough to deliver her side an important three points. Her drive from midfield was crucial.
Candela Ferreyra Bas (Southern United)
Two exceptional goals unfortunately meant little in the end as Southern United fell to a 5-2 defeat away to Galaxy United. Regardless, it was a stellar personal performance from the Southern skipper, who can consider herself unlucky not to make the starting XI.
MelindaJ Barbieri (Calder United)
While Mindy did find the net once, she’ll perhaps reflect somewhat critically on the performance, given the amount of good chances she worked herself into that she wasn’t able to convert from. Regardless, the reigning Gold Medallist is fast finding her feet with Calder and has been a valued addition to the squad.
Jesse Kotsikas (Bayside United)
Bayside’s Kotsikas was voted as the club’s best on ground, with this one of her best performances since trading clubs in the pre-season.
Amy Malander (Bayside United)
Her last-ditch goal to secure Bayside their first point in the NPLW since Round 6 came just minutes after her introduction into the game at Kingston Heath. Were this a real line-up, she may just be the first name off the bench to help turn the tide.
Laura Spiranovic (Galaxy United)
Although the Galaxy United skipper failed to find the net herself, despite her side scoring five times, Spiranovic was noted heavily for her work around the ground in bringing her teammates into the play. She was composed on the ball and her movement off it helped unselfishly create openings for her forward compatriots.