Compiling a Team of the Week for the catch-up round seemed like a great concept at first. Hey, why not give teams the representation that they would have missed out on earlier in the season? Sure. Instead, what we got was a headache in trying to compile the team, with some clubs playing twice and a really unbalanced selection of players, making life difficult.
GK: Teresa Morrisey (Senior NTC)
Was the pick of the round, pulling off a few solid saves against Box Hill and then contributing to the draw against Boroondara with a proactive display. Did concede two goals each game
RB: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne)
Makes the team based on her performance against Bulleen Lions. Back at right-back, where coach Socrates Nicolaidis has often deployed her this season, the Canadian was on top of her opponents, troubling Dani Gudelj to no end.
RCB: Alex Natoli (Bulleen Lions)
Like Martineau, had a top game at right-back for Bulleen, but, well, will have to make-do with a centre-back spot to accommodate the team imbalance. One of the more prominent contributors for her side, who deserved more than a defeat for her performance.
LCB: Alex Gummer (Boroondara Eagles)
One clean sheet and an important goal caps off a busy week for Gummer, who has been a rock at the back for Boroondara. While Amy Jackson was also a contender for a midfield spot, defenders don’t often get the praise they deserve, so we opted for Gummer in TOTW.
LB: Aimee Medwin (Boroondara Eagles)
A top effort in both games, filling in at left-back for Liv Ellis. Showed brilliant attacking flair against Yarra, running forward from defence to assist Boudreau, before scoring a maiden goal herself for the Eagles. Also did well against the NTC.
RM: Lucy Johnstone (Boroondara Eagles)
Like her fellow Tasmanian, Johnstone also impressed against South Yarra with two assists and a first goal for the club. Has been threatening on the right wing as she looks to make an impact ahead of the finals.
CM: Alison Baker (South Melbourne)
Two top performances from the returning Baker will leave team selection headaches in South Melbourne’s midfield. Bossed the game against Yarra and played her part in the win over Bulleen, netting a crucial 18th minute equaliser.
LM: Elaina Vatcky (Box Hill United)
Back on the wing, Vatcky was at her tricky best against the NTC, scoring with a neat finish after being played through on goal. One of the standouts in a game Box HIll would feel they shouldn’t have let slip.
ST: Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
Boudrau’s tally of five goals over two games leaves her as one of the standout players of the round. Four of those came in the destruction against South Yarra, while she also scored an important comeback goal against NTC to seal the point that confirmed Boroondara would be the WPL premiers in 2015.
ST: Joey Cartwright (Senior NTC)
Earns her spot in the team following a blistering display against Box Hill, in which she tore apart the defence with a brace, and could have had a couple more, such was her threat in the forward line.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
Polled votes in both her games this week as South Melbourne took maximum points. Whilst she didn’t score a bag of goals to keep up in the Golden Boot race, it was her link-up play and presence in the front third that was duly noted.