Three players that had a big impact in the chase for the Westfield W-League Finals Series have been nominated to be February’s Player of the Month.
Perth Glory star Morgan Andrews, Melbourne Victory’s flying winger Darian Jenkins and Melbourne City playmaker Emily van Egmond are on this month’s shortlist.
You can have your say and vote for who you think should take out the prize for February by voting in the poll below – but before that, catch up on the trio’s achievements over the past month below.
VOTE: Westfield W-League Coach of the Month – February
NOVEMBER: Sydney FC striker Remy Siemsen named Player of the Month
DECEMBER: Wanderers stalwart Denise O’Sullivan named Player of the Month
JANUARY: Victory sharpshooter Natasha Dowies takes Player of the Month award
Morgan Andrews (Perth Glory)
The 24-year-old American attacker hit her straps in the closing stages of her debut 2019/20 Season, securing a share of Westfield W-League Golden Boot honours with five goals in three games in February.
And it was not like Andrews was writing her name on the scoreboard in a series of dead rubbers. The Reign FC loanee led seventh-placed Perth to stunning upsets against Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC to take her total season’s goal tally to seven from 11 matches.
Her double in the 4-2 win against Roar derailed the Queenslander’s Finals Series bid and Andrews grabbed another brace in a shock 2-1 result against champions Sydney FC in Wollongong. Glory threatened the end the finals dreams of another contender, Western Sydney Wanderers, as Andrews’ strike led a late comeback attempt but Perth ultimately fell to a 3-2 reverse.
REPORT: Andrews grabs a brace as Glory upset Sydney FC in Wollongong
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135637830001
Darian Jenkins (Melbourne Victory)
When the going got tough, Melbourne Victory got going – and Darian Jenkins was the star of the show as last season’s Premiers finished the campaign strongly to claim their place as Premiership runners-up.
Victory suffered the ignominy of watching their Premiers’ Plate pass into the hands of crosstown rivals City following a 4-0 loss, but Jeff Hopkins’ side responded in the best possible way – with a 7-0 win on the road against Newcastle Jets, where Jenkins netted either side of half-time in a sparkling display.
The 25-year-old, on loan from Reign FC, stepped up again in the crunch season closer against Sydney FC. Starting in a right-wing back role, Jenkins was in equally as destructive form, scoring another double in a 3-1 win, and shutting down the Champions to secure second place and a home Semi Final.
REPORT: Jenkins’ double downs Sydney to seal second place for the Victory
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6137179472001
Emily van Egmond (Melbourne City)
City’s star playmaker started the month of February scoring her first Westfield Matildas hat-trick and netting the goal which sealed first place in their Olympic Games qualifying group, and she carried that dazzling form back into the Westfield W-League.
Van Egmond produced a passing masterclass and opened the scoring in the 4-0 Melbourne Derby destruction of Victory which saw City pull away at the top of the ladder, before delivering a dominant display in the title-sealing 4-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers – where she created five chances and hit five shots on goal.
The 26-year-old ended up a goal short of a share in the Westfield W-League Golden Boot, although it was not for the want of trying. Van Egmond’s late effort against Brisbane Roar crashed back off the crossbar as she put in another solid showing in the 3-1 win, wrapping up Melbourne City’s unbeaten Premiership season as perhaps their most influential player
REPORT: van Egmond keeps up stellar form in City’s Derby triumph
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132916811001
