No Cortnee Vine? No Princess Ibini? No Jada Whyman?
There’s no room for the trio of Sydney FC stars in the “combined XI” of players from either side of the Big Blue divide, according to former A-Leagues stars Catherine Cannuli and Grace Gill, who joined host Campbell Johnson on this week’s episode of The Official Liberty A-League Podcast!
The Sky Blues travel to face Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Thursday afternoon in a Liberty A-League clash between third and fourth on the table. These two great rivals – who have met in the last two consecutive A-League Women Grand Finals – boast some of the best talent in the competition. But which XI players from either side make up the strongest combined XI?
On this week’s episode of The Official Liberty A-League Podcast, KEEPUP’s Johnson gave both Cannuli and Gill the tough task of coming forward with their individual selections, before both Gill and Cannuli debated their respective picks to select the ultimate Big Blue combined XI.
CANNULI & GILL’S COMBINED BIG BLUE XI
Cannuli & Gill’s individual XI’s
Before settling on a combined XI, both Cannuli and Gill submitted their individually-crafted strongest line-up of players from either side of the Big Blue divide.
Catherine Cannuli’s initial XI
GK: Casey Dumont
DEF: Jessika Nash, Natalie Tobin, Kayla Morrison, Gema Simon
MID: Sarah Hunter, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Alex Chidiac
FWD: Lia Privitelli, Madison Haley, Beattie Goad
Grace Gill’s initial XI
GK: Dumont
DEF: Fenton, Bunge, Morrison, Mclean
MID: Murphy, Chidiac, Hunter
FWD: Goad, Haley, Ayres
GOALKEEPER
There was no contention on the podcast: both Cannuli and Gill preferred Casey Dumont in between the sticks to Sydney FC’s number one Jada Whyman.
DEFENCE
Locks
Kayla Morrison
A unanimous selection. Victory’s captain and rock at the heart of defence, Kayla Morrison is a lock for the Big Blue combined XI.
The debate
Gema Simon or Kirsty Fenton?
Cannuli: “It was between Fenton and Simon. The only reason why I went for (Simon) was for the experience she has in the competition, I think she brings a lot to the team when she’s on the pitch, she works hard.
“But I think Fenton… she’s going to have a big future. I watched her last season at Newcastle and thought she was fantastic.
“I like Fenton. She’s an absolute beast.”
Gill: “It sounds like Fenton’s getting a start! Fenton’s in.
Cannuli: “Let’s go Fenton.”
Verdict: Kirsty Fenton
Jessika Nash or Charlotte Mclean?
Cannuli: “Jessika Nash, I just feel technically she gets the game a lot more. She’s on the ball, she loves to get forward, you can see she’s dictating play when she’s on there, trying to tell people where to go and what to do.
“I just feel in a young player, to see them be a player like that on the pitch is massive for me.”
Verdict: Jessika Nash
Natalia Tobin or Claudia Bunge?
Cannuli: “Nat Tobin is so calm on the ball… it’s like she plays in slo-mo because she’s so relaxed on the ball, she just gets it. She finds feet, plays simple, where I find Bunge can sometimes overcomplicate things.
“I know what you mean though, Morrison & Bunge. They’ve just created this partnership.”
Gill: I don’t want to break them up! They’re better together.
Cannuli: “I know, you don’t want to split them up. I do get that.”
Verdict: Claudia Bunge
MIDFIELD
Locks
Sarah Hunter & Alex Chidiac
No debate on either of these two Liberty A-League stars: both Cannuli and Gill selected Alex Chidiac and Sarah Hunter as part of a midfield three.
The debate
Mackenzie Hawkesby or Alana Murphy?
Gill: “I can make a really strong case for either Hawkesby or Murphy.
“Hawkesby’s a real workhorse, often in games she just gets better and better, and as people get fatigued she’s just got the engine, she keeps going. Her work rate is immense.
“I could see Hakwesby in there. The reason I went with Alana Murphy, I think it’s been her best season yet in the A-League. I think her contribution for Melbourne has granted people like Alex Chdiiac the freedom to get forward and be more creative… she loves a strike from distance, and when she hits a ball, she hits a ball sweetly.
“I could have my arm twisted on Hawkesby in that role as well.”
Verdict: Mackenzie Hawkesby
ATTACK
Locks
Madison Haley & Beattie Goad
Both Cannuli and Gill selected Sky Blues striker Madison Haley and versatile Victory winger Beattie Goad in their initial XI’s, making up two thirds of a front three.
The debate
Lia Privitelli, Cortnee Vine or Princess Ibini?
Cannuli: “For me, Princess Ibini and Cortnee Vine haven’t done enough for me this season.
“Especially players of that stature that have been in the competition for so long, and have been in and around the Matildas squad, they should be performing at a much higher level at this point in time in their careers.”
Gill: “I’ve gone for experience, and for heart in Lia Privitelli.
“What she brings to a team, she’s been in the league for a long time. She is a hard worker and will work tirelessly for her team, and she’s also one of those players that pops up in moments – and in big moments when you really need her. We saw her do that last season.
“Hasn’t played as many minutes this year so far, but she’s got my pick at right wing.”
Verdict: Lia Privitelli
