‘It’s awards day on The Official A-Leagues Podcast,” said host Daniel Garb as Amy Chapman and Robbie Cornthwaite were put to the respective tasks of naming the Liberty A-League team of the season, and the best XI at the midway point of the Isuzu UTE A-League campaign.
Cornthwaite selected his goalkeeper and back four all from the same club in his Isuzu UTE A-League team of the season, whilst the Liberty A-League striker who finished second in the Golden Boot standings could only make “a big bench” in Chapman’s strongest ALW XI.
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE
Chapman says her indecisiveness means she’s got a big bench for her Liberty A-League team of the season, with plenty of names included in her “travelling squad”.
“You’re not going to have enough hotel rooms to fit everyone in on Chappy’s unlucky list,” joked Garb as Chapman rattled off the names – but there could ultimately be 11 players who made the final cut.
Chapman’s team of the season fits in a 4-3-3 formation as so:
GOALKEEPER
Jada Whyman
- Games: 14
- Clean sheets: 10
- Save percentage: 87.8%
- Goals against: 6
Chapman: “You have to go with Jada Whyman. She’s broken all the records, didn’t have a lot to do defensively, but when she did she (was) world class. I think she’s got a really bright future, she’s been a standout for me.
“Special mention to Bubs (Melissa Barbieri). At 42 years, the longest professional playing career in Australia – and actually, she doesn’t look like slowing down. She’s in incredible form.”
DEFENCE
Charlize Rule
- Games: 13
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 2
- Clean sheets (60 min or more): 6
Chapman: “The youngster from Sydney FC was my young player of the year to watch, and she’s delivered.”
Clare Hunt
- Games: 8
- Clean sheets: 3
- Duels: 74
- Aerial duel success: 81%
Chapman: “You know I’m a Clare Hunt favourite, so she’s starting at centre-back for me.”
Winonah Heatley
- Games: 13
- Goals: 1
- Clean sheets: 5
- Duels: 93
Chapman: “I think she’s been a standout, she’s an up-and-comer.”
Ally Green
- Games: 14
- Clean sheets (60 min or more): 9
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
- Recoveries: 105
Chapman: “When she’s good, she’s the best in the business at left-back for me.”
Honourable mentions in defence: Emma Checker, Nat Tobin, Kate Taylor
MIDFIELD
Katrina Gorry
- Games: 11
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 5
- Duels: 180
- Recoveries: 141
Chapman: “I still think she’s a class above. She’s excellent, she’s world class. Perhaps not consistent – I know Brisbane had a really tough season – but as an individual player I think if you had a team she’d be one of the first players you’d be trying to sign in this entire league. A no-brainer.”
Mackenzie Hawkesby
- Games: 14
- Goals: 5
- Assists: 8
- Chances created: 36
Chapman: “I think she’s had an outstanding season. Hard to go past her, she’s scoring goals, she’s top of the assists.”
Rhianna Pollicina
- Games: 14
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 3
- Chances created: 31
Chapman: “Without Holly McNamara I think she’s stepped in really well for Melbourne City. It’s been her best season by a long shot.”
Honourable mentions in midfield: Alex Chidiac, Rachel Lowe, Taylor Ray
FORWARDS
Cortnee Vine
- Games: 10
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 2
Chapman: “She’s outstanding, she’s (in) the best form of her career, that one’s an obvious pick.”
Fiona Worts
- Games: 14
- Goals: 13
- Expected goals: 9.6
- Assists: 4
Chapman: “If you look at stats and nothing else, you have to put her in as your starting number nine. She’s got the Midas touch, she is a huge reason why Adelaide have been so successful.”
Holly McNamara
- Games: 8
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 3
Chapman: “She has to come in there. Again, an absolute star. That’s a lethal front three there, I’m really happy with my three strikers.”
Honourable mentions in attack: Hannah Wilkinson, Chelsie Dawber
And as for the Julie Dolan Medal…
“I think Worts will win it,” Chapman said.
“Just based on the fact she’s played every single game, she’s consistently performed, she’s been a standout. But any of my front three could win it.”
“A small bit of context here: it’s difficult to pick out-and-out because had Cortnee Vine played the full season, it’s in her bag and had McNamara played the full season, I think it’s in her bag.”
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Robbie Cornthwaite has liked what he’s seen from the table-topping Western United through 15 games this season. So much so, that the entire back five of his team of the season at the halfway stage of the season – including the goalkeeper – hail from John Aloisi’s side.
Joining Western’s quintet are two surprise packets from Newcastle Jets, three Melbourne City stars and Adelaide’s Socceroos winger, who have all performed brightly to the midway point of the campaign.
GOALKEEPER
Jamie Young
- Games: 15
- Clean sheets: 8
- Save percentage: 79.3%
- Goals against: 12
Cornthwaite: “There’s one team that’s been a standout this year defensively, I think he’s been part of that well and truly. A couple of big saves which he’s been doing for the best part of a decade, he continues to make big saves, top of the table.”
DEFENCE
“I’ve gone for the back four of Western United,” Cornthwaite said.
- Ben Garuccio (13 games, 7 clean sheets, 2 goals, 3 assists)
- Nikolai Topor-Stanley (11 games, 6 clean sheets)
- Leo Lacroix (14 games, 7 clean sheets)
- Josh Risdon (14 games, 8 clean sheets)
Conrthwaite added: “Their defensive record at the moment, that’s all that anyone keeps talking about. The 1-0 wins, the organisation, Garrucio’s got a couple of goals, Nikolai Topor-Stanley was Newcastle Jets’ player of the year last year and they let him go, now he’s top of the table in the best defence in the league playing for trophies.
“As a unit, that’s why they’re in there. One or two you could argue could be in there over them. I think Kitty’s had a pretty good season at left-back for Adelaide United, but I’ve gone for the entire back five of Western United for my team of the season.”
MIDFIELD
Daniel Penha
- Games: 13
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 7
- Chances created: 33
Cornthwaite: “I’ve gone for a bit of creativity in the middle of the park with Penha. He’s obviously been really, really solid for Newcastle Jets, a wonderful signing from them.”
Florin Berenguer
- Games: 16
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 3
- Pass accuracy: 87.4%
Cornthwaite: “Probably one of three players who are potential Johnny Warren Medalists this season. He’s been absolutely brilliant.”
Craig Goodwin
- Games: 15
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 2
- Chances created: 49
Cornthwaite: “Super important for Adelaide. Got himself a Socceroos call-up and a goal as well.”
Mathew Leckie
- Games: 14
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 3
Cornthwaite: “Leckie has snuck in; his last month has obviously been fantastic, (he’s) scoring at will for City.”
FORWARD
Jamie Maclaren
- Games: 15
- Goals: 10
- Assists: 2
Cornthwaite: “(With) 10 goals (at the time of writing), I couldn’t look past Maclaren up top.”
Beka Mikeltadze
- Games: 12
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 1
Again, like Penha and one or two others – a guy we knew absolutely nothing about… and (he’s) delivered. He’s got eight goals for the season and a really, really high quality striker.
Johnny Warren Medal
“I’m going to stick with Florin Berenguer,” Cornthwaite said.
“I think for me at this stage he’s been one of, if not the most influential player on his team. Maybe not the numbers of a Penha, he’s got three goals and four assists which is pretty good, but it’s just his importance to the way Melbourne City play.
“He’s just grown into this league, and It think at the halfway point he’s probably been the best player.”
Young Player of the Year
“I wanted to put Brimmer but too old (being) 23. I think Nishan Velupillay has been really, really solid, Mo Toure has been doing good things recently, Marco Tilio at times, but I’m going to go with Dan Hall from Central Coast Mariners,” Cornthwaite said.
“He’s been impressive, he’s 22 years old, in a team that’s conceded a lot of late goals so obviously he’s learning his craft still, but I think he’s been impressive.”
