Late winning goals, heroic defensive plays and some shock results. Round 2 of the Westfield W-League had a little bit of everything.
And now we reveal the players that earned their spot in the Team of the Week, powered by Bunnings Warehouse.
Canberra United shocked defending champions Melbourne City in the standout result, with the women in green dominating this week’s 11.
But there were impressive performers in both of the other matches, which saw the Western Sydney Wanderers edge past Newcastle Jets, while Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory finished all square.
Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse – Round 2
Goalkeeper
Courtney Newbon (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The young shot-stopper was a big factor in why the Wanderers notched their first win of the campaign, making seven saves in the win over the Jets. Who outstanding stop to keep out Tara Andrews’ free-kick also won her the Westfield W-League save of the week.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6219935647001
Defence
Angela Beard (Melbourne Victory)
In a match where both defences were excellent we simply had to find a spot in the back-four for Beard. She didn’t put a foot wrong on the left-side of Victory’s defence and got forward when she could also, swinging in four crosses from open play.
Caitlin Cooper (Western Sydney Wanderers)
A true captain’s display from the Wanderers skipper, who was a defensive rock for Dean Heffernan’s side. Cooper made a game-high 10 clearances for the match, including a courageous one on the goalline that stopped a certain Jets goal.
Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar)
The Roar skipper continues to show why she’s one of the best defenders in the competition with a near faultless display in the goalless draw with Victory. Had the most tackles, three clearances, played almost 70% of her passes forward while she won her one-on-one duels 86% of the time.
Lauren Keir (Canberra United)
A superb all-round display from Keir as United pulled off a huge upset win over the defending champions. Strong in defence and excellent with her passing, Keir also produced a sensational assist for Michelle Heyman’s goal.
NEWS: Newcastle Jets change of ownership
READ: Australian Professional Leagues to be unbundled from Football Australia
Midfield
Rhianna Pollicina (Newcastle Jets)
Pollicina was everywhere for the Jets, having five shots on goal while also creating two scoring chances. No player on the pitch contested or won more duels than the talented youngster.
Nikki Flannery (Canberra United)
Flannery’s return to the nation’s capital is certainly paying off, with the 21-year-old producing another brilliant display for the Green Machine. And it was her long-range stunner in stoppage-time which secured the 2-1 win over City (see the goal in the player above).
Laura Hughes (Canberra United)
Instrumental to Canberra’s win, controlling the tempo of the match in the middle of the park. Her ability to link the play between defence and attack was outstanding and most of the good things Canberra did came through the feet of the teenager.
READ: Flannery’s last-gasp stunner ends City streak and sends Canberra top
REPORT: Victory and Roar locked in scoreless arm wrestle
Attack
Rosie Galea (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The 20-year-old was the star of the show at the Wanderers’ Centre of Football. Galea showed her predatory instincts with two clinical finishes.
Tara Andrews (Newcastle Jets)
The striker didn’t deserve to finish on the losing side for her industrious display against the Wanderers. Not only did Andrews find the back of the net, she also had the most shots (seven) and created the most chances (seven) for the match.
Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
The former Westfield Matildas star earns a spot in the Team of the Week for a second straight time. And it’s hard to argue after another excellent performance, scoring Canberra’s opener while causing the City defence problems all afternoon.
READ: Heyman feels ‘better than ever’ and eyes Westfield Matildas return
REPORT: Galea brace inspires Wanderers win over relentless Jets
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6219790175001
