Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Denise O’Sullivan has claimed the Westfield W-League Player of the Month award after a series of outstanding displays in December.
The key cog in a Wanderers side firing on all cylinders, 25-year-old Ireland international O’Sullivan started in all of her side’s December exploits, missing just eight minutes.
Her month began with a somewhat underwhelming 1-1 draw with reigning Premiers Melbourne Victory, a contest that saw O’Sullivan pushed forward in a more advanced midfield role.
Coach Dean Heffernan re-instated the 2019 NWSL winner to the base of the Wanderers midfield for the next-up derby clash with Sydney FC, and what followed was one of the most dominant displays in recent Westfield W-League memory.
With O’Sullivan bossing the midfield, the Wanderers ran out unprecedented 5-0 winners after bombarding 23 shots at Sydney’s goal.
O’Sullivan would back that up by starring in the Red and Black’s next-up demolition of Canberra United, with the midfielder scoring a lovely goal to help sink her former employers in a 4-0 rout.
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More impressive than that cleanly-dispatched strike was her defensive contribution – an immense eight tackles, 18 duels and four interceptions indicative of the solid platform O’Sullivan has established for the Wanderers’ attackers to wreak havoc this season.
She ousted teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross (43%) to the December prize by a matter of votes.
Fellow Wanderer Lynn Williams (6%), Brisbane Roar attacker (6%) and Melbourne City stalwart Rebekah Stott (2%) were the other nominees.
Wanderers boss Dean Heffernan was awarded the Coach of the Month gong for December.
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Round 9
Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, 12 January 2020
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
Venue: Marconi Stadium
Broadcast: ABC TV, FOX Sports
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports, ABC iView
