Graphics: Alesich Design
It was a strange old week for the NPLW Victoria, with six fixtures playing out in the match-week and a title-contender getting knocked off by lower placed opposition. We also saw the finals positions shored up, with players from each of those four clubs featuring in the Round 19 Team of the Week
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GK: Emily Shields (Box Hill United)
The Box Hill United shot stopper was once again a standout for her side, as she did her best to nullify the attacking threat of Calder attackers such as Cindy Lay, Jess Au and Rachel Alonso. Made a couple saves throughout and earned a clean sheet for her troubles. Kept her defence well organised throughout.
LB: Emma Heckenberg (Box Hill United)
Cleaned up everything on her left flank against Calder United, with her direct opponents Jess Au, Cindy Lay and then Aliesha Newman having little luck against her. Another professional performance from the incredibly reliable fullback, who shifted from centre midfield the week prior.
CB: Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
A clean sheet in the hard-fought win over Galaxy United was richly deserved for Iaconis and co. who battled hard to suppress Galaxy United’s attacking outlets. Lulu Al-Huneidi enjoyed no luck against her, while she patrolled left and right to assist her fullbacks.
RB: Amelia Spiranovic (Galaxy United)
The right-back was amongst the best on ground against Bulleen Lions despite not being able to nab a result in that fixture, where she did well to deal with the double act of Natasha Lusi and Dani Gudelj. She was good aerially from set-pieces and added plenty of intent driving forward, as she did in the 3-0 win over Senior NTC that secured finals football, as she grabbed a goal and helped contribute to a clean sheet.
LM: Cindy Lay (Calder United)
Quiet against Box Hill United like many of her teammates, but Lay was blistering in the win over Heidelberg United mid-week. Grabbed two goals in a bright performance down the right wing, including the all-important opener. Looked creative and poised, and has hit peak form at the right time of season.
CM: Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
Up against Calder United’s stacked midfield of W-League quality players, it was Kristina Hall and her charges that won the battle through the centre. The American combined brilliantly with her teammates around her and added a great run and finish in the second half to seal the result.
CM: Emily Hulbert (Box Hill United)
Hulbert, much like Hall, was paramount to Box Hill’s win over Calder United with the pair accounting for their counterparts Enza Barilla and Gulcan Koca with a tenacious display in the engine room. Helped create a large amount of attacking opportunities in the first half, and then provided the cutting edge that was lacking in the first half by opening the scoring with an arrowing strike into the bottom corner.
RM: Kariah White (Galaxy United)
One of Galaxy United’s best performers across both fixtures; bright in their loss to Bulleen Lions, with a number of telling runs past her markers, then once more in the best-on’s in their win over the Senior NTC. Provided plenty of width and attacking intent with the ball at feet.
LW: Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
The American is looking more and more each week like a real W-League prospect this season, such has been her ability to take games away from opponents. This weekend, the unlucky recipient was Bayside United, as she grabbed two goals in the first half to effectively seal the game, before assisting Amy Malander for her side’s third.
ST: Emily Coppock (Bulleen Lions)
Scored the goal that separated the Lions from Galaxy United and it could prove a vital one in the race for the Minor Premiership. Worked hard all day leading the lines for Bulleen and got her just reward by just scraping in an effort in the second half.
RW: Cristina Cardaci (Alamein FC)
On the other side to Keane was the diminutive Cardaci, who was full of running and always seemed to have a bag of tricks. Helped set up the first goal, as her shot was cleared off the line into the path of Keane to place home, before her cross earned the penalty for Keane’s second.
Bench:
Keeley Lockhart (Bulleen Lions)
Put in a great display as a makeshift keeper, and while she didn’t have too much to do in regards to making stops, she did come off her line several times and did plenty of sweeper work. Will likely line up in goals again versus Heidelberg United.
Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill United)
The converted right-back had to be on her game to lock out the rotating Calder United wingers, and was tested a fair bit when Aliesha Newman was introduced in the second half. However she stood firm the the challenge and denied a number of promising moments for Calder.
Hannah Ryan (Heidelberg United)
In a tight-fought game against Southern United, Hannah Ryan added plenty of steel in the midfield and was combative throughout. She was crucial to the Bergers locking down their 1-0 lead. Was the brave one to don the gloves in the mid-week game against Calder United after Melissa Barbiere went off injured and did her best despite conceding three goals. Samantha Black was another bright performer down the right flank for Heidelberg.
Saphri Lines (Southern United)
Not the best game she’s played all year by any means, but she was still the best for Southern in a game where the majority of chances were fashioned by her. Put herself into good positions without finishing and played in Brittany Dudley-Smith on a number of occasions without luck.
Melissa Taranto (Galaxy United)
Having a great season to date and was once again a shining light for Galaxy United in their mid-week win over the NTC. Created plenty from deep midfield and was instrumental in keeping her side ticking over. Tried hard in the loss to Bulleen Lions.
Stacey Papadopoulos (Calder United)
A rare spark for Calder United in their loss to Box Hill where she tried all afternoon to impact the result. Earned more reward for effort in the mid-week game, where she netted a goal and almost had a clean sheet, were it not for a late penalty.
Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
It was a 60 minute display that encapsulated the footballing career of the Bulleen winger. Looked incredibly bright at times, then nigh on unplayable at others. However her night came to a close through injury, with Bulleen closing out the result in her absence.