Some weeks we get hardly any goalkeeper nominations, but all of a sudden we’re becoming inundated with about seven in the past two weeks. Meanwhile, Casey Comets are showing some promise again, with two players in the team, and it was back to business as usual for Boroondara, with a big win accompanied by three nominations.
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Teresa Morrissey (Senior NTC)
Morrissey was immense in helping the NTC stave off Bulleen for 90 minutes, earning one of her most deserved clean sheets all season. Was quick off her line, dispayed cat-like reflexes, and pulled off some top saves.
RB: Demi Mihaloudis (Heidelberg United)
Showed an instinctive positional awareness to deny any Yarra any chances of a counterattack down her wing, whilst being proactive in streaming up the pitch to help her forwards break down the defence (as was left-back Murphy). Dangerous on set-piece delivery as well.
CB: Jess Tay (Boroondara Eagles)
Out of position in CB, but you wouldn’t know it. Barely anything from South Melbourne got through her and Jensen at the back, and she was a big part of why the Eagles kept up the pressure on South.
LB: Anouk Meereboer (Casey Comets)
All the attributes expected of a standout fullback performance. Executed her defensive duties with conviction, contributing to a frustrating night out for Sandringham’s front third, whilst also linked up well in attacking play with her teammates.
DM: Laura Croft (Casey Comets)
A monster shift screening the back four, Casey’s captain Laura Croft led by example, breaking up Sandringham’s forward momentum before it could materialise into a goal-threat, whilst launching her own side’s forays forward.
CM: Claudia Dimasi (Bundoora United)
A top performance for Bundoora, Dimasi helped her side gain ascendancy in their contest against Caulfield United Cobras and was a constant threat throughout the contest. Also popped up to score a well-timed goal and was dangerous down the wing.
CM: Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles)
Energy, energy, energy. One of the reasons South couldn’t cope with the Eagles’ midfield. Jacobs seemed to be everywhere, constantly involved in Boroondara’s passages of attacking play. Scored a goal from the top drawer and could have had more.
CM: Melissa Taranto (Senior NTC)
One of the main reasons NTC defeated Bulleen Lions was because of its ability to win the midfield battle, and at the heart of the victory was Melissa Taranto, who was able to pressure Bulleen off the ball and find her teammates in advanced positions with precise passes.
RW: Stacey Papadopoulos (Bundoora United)
It’s been a difficult season at times for the winger, who’s had to deal with injuries curtailing her game time. However, she showed her class after coming on early for Jess Au on Sunday, constantly threatening the Caulfield defence with her trickery and vision – assisting Dimasi with a neat cross.
ST: Melina Ayres (Ashburton United)
The striker scored the all important first goal to spoil Melissa Barbieri’s homecoming from the World Cup, sending Ashburton on their way to victory. Kept Box Hill on their toes all game, leading the line with aplomb.
LW: Anisa Guajardo (Heidelberg United)
We’ll plonk her on the left side, but Guajardo was absolutely buzzing all along the front third, always itching to have the ball at her feet. Capable of doing the incredible with her dangerous turns, close ball control, quick dribbles, pinpoint deliveries and goal sense.
BENCH:
Frances Land (South Melbourne)
Shaky at her feet causing some frightening moments, but they weren’t the reasons the Eagles scored. She actually made up for her own errors and did everything to repel Boroondara’s double digit shot tally.
Emily Dolzan (Bulleen Lions)
A fantastic effort by Dozan in a losing side. She kept running up and down the park all day and was unlucky that not one of her marauding runs resulted in a score involvement for her team.
Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
A usual creative spark for her team, Nicolaci was constantly involved in Heidelberg’s goalscoring situations. Struck a header from close range and a rocket from distance.
Britt Thomas (Ashburton United)
Unlucky to miss out on a starting berth with a plethora of midfield nominations this week, Thomas put in another serviceable shift in Ashy’s engine room, scoring a well taken goal and always tracking back to help out her team.
Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
Almost a travesty not to have Boudreau in the team following her double against South, but with so many good performances around her, a bench spot will have to make do. The undoubted highlight was an amazing goal that could have featured on highlight reels around the world.