Melbourne City’s Larissa Crummer is still shaking her head in disbelief following a remarkable 12 months that now includes winning the Westfield W-League golden boot.
Crummer scored a double on her debut for City and hit the ten-goal mark after just six matches, before ending the campaign on 11 goals to sit three clear of teammate Kim Little. Yet, incredibly, Crummer had previously scored just twice in three full seasons.
The youngster made the move to Melbourne in the knowledge it was an opportunity to be the No9 for the new glamour club. “It (playing striker) was one of the main reasons I came to Melbourne,” says Crummer, who hailed the influence of City coach Joe Montemurro over the past few months.
Crummer has typically been used as something of a utility throughout her young career. The raw 16-year-old was transformed into a fullback in 2012 by then Sydney FC boss Alen Stajcic for her debut season. The Sunshine Coast raised Crummer subsequently featured in numerous positions for Brisbane Roar over the past two seasons.
“To be honest, no,” says Crummer when asked if she imagined the season going so well both personally and for the team. “It has been my best season and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“I have learnt so much from Joe (Montemurro), and playing alongside Kim Little and Jess Fishlock. It has helped me a lot, even training with them, I learn something every day.”
Crummer follows in the footsteps of some of the competition’s great goalscorers, a list that includes Leena Khamis, Michelle Heyman, Kyah Simon, Kate Gill and England’s Jodie Taylor.
At one stage Crummer appeared on track to overhaul Heyman’s record tally of 15 goals set in Canberra United’s all-conquering 2011/12 campaign. She ultimately fell short of that target but is understandably delighted at an impressive achievement for someone that only turned 20 a few weeks back.
“Golden Boot kind of just happened, it is not something I really set out to do,” Crummer said.
Crummer hopes to be a key figure when the Westfield Matildas open their 2016 Rio Olympics campaign next month. But firstly there is the small matter of City’s debut Westfield W-League finals match when Brisbane Roar visit AAMI Park on Monday (kick-off 4.30pm).
“I’m buzzing about the game, and can’t wait to get out there,” says Crummer about facing her old club. “I’m really, really looking forward to it.”
Westfield W-League 2015/16 top goalscorers
11 – Larissa Crummer (Melbourne City)
8 – Kim Little (Melbourne City)
7 – Ashleigh Sykes (Canberra United), Marianna Tabain (Melbourne City)
6 – Vanessa DiBernardo (Perth Glory)
5 – Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Abby Dahlkemper, Rosie Sutton (both Adelaide United), Kyah Simon (Sydney FC)
