From Craig Goodwin to Nestory Irankunda, Cortnee Vine and Vesna Milivojevic, there’s a star cast for you to pick from when voting for March’s Liberty A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League Player of the Month!
THE MARCH NOMINEES: LIBERTY A-LEAGUE
Brianna Edwards – Wellington Phoenix
Wellington notched two of their three wins for the season in March, and goalkeeper Brianna Edwards was at the heart of the late Phoenix resurgence.
Edwards kept a clean sheet against eventual premiers Sydney FC on March 11; it was the highlight performance of a month in which Edwards made 15 saves across five games (W2,D1,L2).
Mackenzie Barry – Wellington Phoenix
Joining Edwards in contributing in a major way to Wellington’s end-of-season form was Mackenzie Barry, the superb Phoenix centre-half who, at just 21 years of age, has emerged as one of the most impressive young talents in the A-League Women.
Barry played in all five of Wellington’s March fixtures, helping Edwards retain that impressive clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Sydney FC.
Isabella Foletta – Perth Glory
A deserved nomination for a defender who played a pivotal role in Perth Glory’s relentless pursuit of a spot in the top four. Isabella Foletta grew into her first campaign back at Perth Glory, ending the season as one of the side’s most important players.
Foletta made five appearances in purple throughout March (W2, D1, L2).
Tash Rigby – Perth Glory
The Glory captain began March in style, scoring her very first A-League Women goal in a 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers. She went on to lead her side to the brink of the finals; a desperate tackle high up the field which led to Hana Lowry’s goal in an incredible 4-2 win over Melbourne City late in the campaign typified the Glory captain’s determined form throughout March.
Cortnee Vine – Sydney FC
One goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over Perth Glory on March 29 saw Cortnee Vine end the month in fine form; the Sydney FC winger would go on to add another two goals to her tally in the final game of the season on April 4, helping her side en route to clinching the premiership.
Fiona Worts – Adelaide United
After a disappointing start to the season, reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Fiona Worts finished the season on song.
The Adelaide United forward scored just three goals for the season; two of those came in March, with her only assist of the campaign coming in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle on March 17.
Princess Ibini – Sydney FC
Princess Ibini kicked off March with a goal in a 3-0 win over Western United, and her form throughout the month helped the Sky Blues notch three wins, one draw and one loss throughout the month en route to the premiership. Ibini added a second goal and an assist to her name throughout her five appearances in March.
Casey Dumont – Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory went unbeaten through March. Goalkeeper Casey Dumont kept a Melbourne Derby clean sheet against Melbourne City on March 13, making 11 saves – a season-high. She went on to make eight saves across two 1-1 draws with Brisbane and Canberra to help Victory scrape into the top four.
Vesna Milivojevic – Canberra United
Not many players have the skill, poise, eye for goal and class that Vesna Milivojevic does and that amalgamation of skill made her one of the league’s most dangerous players.
Her late season form helped lead Canberra’s charge towards a finals berth, scoring three goals in March including a two brilliant strikes against Western United.
Shea Connors – Brisbane Roar
Shea Connors finished the season like a house on fire, scoring four goals in four games throughout March.
The American forward terrorised defenders with her speed and played with an incredible amount of confidence in the Roar attack.
THE MARCH NOMINEES: ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Craig Goodwin – Adelaide United
The Socceroos midfielder was incredible during the month of March, playing an integral role in all four of Adelaide United’s wins.
Goodwin scored three goals to go with four assists, taking his tally to an unprecedented 10 goals and ten assists for the entire campaign – something only two players have done before him.
Aiden O’Neill – Melbourne City
Aiden O’Neill was sensational all month in the heart of midfield for Melbourne City – holding things together brilliantly in wake of a number of key injuries.
The former Burnley man opened up his account for the season with a stunning goal vs Brisbane Roar and was rewarded for his solid form with a maiden Socceroos call-up.
Bruno Fornaroli – Melbourne Victory
Bruno is back!
The Melbourne Victory forward has hit a purple patch as of late, scoring in five of his last six games including two goals in March – coming against Western United and Central Coast Mariners.
His goalscoring form alone has helped Victory close in on the top six, heading into the final stretch of the season.
Jay O’Shea – Brisbane Roar
It’s been a tough season for Brisbane Roar, but Jay O’Shea has been one of the few shining lights.
The Irishman has stood out under new boss Nick Green and his more attacking style, playing with extra freedom in the heart of midfield – scoring in all three games in March.
O’Shea capped off a brilliant month with a tremendous winner against Western United before the international break.
Nestory Irankunda – Adelaide United
It was a month to remember for Nestory Irankunda.
The 17-year-old wunderkind tore it up throughout March, scoring two incredible goals off the bench for Adelaide United. So impressive has his form been that he was rewarded with a Socceroos call-up, but unfortunately was unable to receive his maiden cap.
Amor Layouni – Western Sydney Wanderers
Layouni has been nothing short of integral for Western Sydney Wanderers since arriving in February.
The 30-year-old has taken like a fish to water at the Wanderers and has slot seamlessly in their attack. His highlight came in the Sydney Derby, where he scored twice and tallied an assist in a 4-0 romping.
In fact, his form has been so impressive that he even earned a re-call to the Tunisian national team at the end of March.
Luke Brattan – Sydney FC
Brattan has been a metronome in the heart of Sydney’s midfield, putting together a really solid month for the Sky Blues.
He’s been the one constant throughout a difficult March, which only saw Sydney FC win once in three games.
Lawrence Thomas – Western Sydney Wanderers
It’s been a brilliant month between the sticks for Lawrence Thomas.
The Wanderers shot-stopper kept two clean sheets in four games throughout March and now stands head and shoulders above all other keepers in the league for clean sheets with nine (three clear of second placed Tom Glover).
His form has been so good that his coach Marko Rudan believes he should be re-called to the Socceroos squad.
Romain Amalfitano – Western Sydney Wanderers
One of the Wanderers’ smooth movers in midfield, Romain Amalfitano has thrived as of late.
The Frenchman has been solid in a myriad of different roles, playing as a deep-lying and attacking midfielder and even at right-back against Perth Glory. His best showing came against the Central Coast Mariners – where he scored his side’s second to wrap up the three points.
Luka Jovanovic – Adelaide United
17-year-old Luka Jovanovic burst onto the scene with an incredible month – scoring two goals in four appearances.
Both came in his maiden starts for the club, where he showcased all the hallmarks of being a player to watch in the future.
