Sydney FC, Canberra United, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory were the big winners from the latest round of matches in this thrilling Westfield W-League campaign.
There were plenty of standout performers from the teams currently ranked first, second, third and fifth on the competition ladder.
But who else made the cut for this edition of the Westfield W-League Team of the Week? Read on to find out.
READ: Westfield W-League Save of Round 6 – Teagan Micah
READ: Westfield W-League Goal of Round 6 – Michelle Heyman
Goalkeepers
Teagan Micah – Melbourne City
Shipping three goals to Brisbane Roar did not dull a brilliant outing from City goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who repelled shot after Brisbane shot in City’s narrow 3-2 defeat.
Micah made nine saves throughout the contest – including a number of jaw-dropping blocks against Westfield Matildas compatriot Emily Gielnik – as she fought valiantly to keep an increasingly ruthless Roar attack at bay.
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Defenders
Claudia Bunge – Melbourne Victory
By hook or by crook, Melbourne Victory simply needed to beat Adelaide United in Friday’s showdown to keep their Premiership bid rolling.
Jeff Hopkins’ side managed to do so, 1-0, thanks to a gutsy defensive performance led by Claudia Bunge.
The New Zealand international starred in a much-improved showing for Victory, who had conceded nine goals in their previous two matches.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227307242001
Hannah Brewer – Newcastle Jets
Hannah Brewer’s monster defensive display for the Jets in a 2-0 loss to the Sky Blues went a long way to mitigating what could have been a far worse scoreline in favour of the league leaders.
Brewer won three of four tackles, six of ten duels, made a staggering ten clearances and four interceptions.
The defender’s greatest impact on the contest came when Princess Ibini opened up the space to score late in the second half, and Brewer’s last-ditch tackle was as clean as it was committed.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227759604001
Clare Polkinghorne – Brisbane Roar
Clare Polkinghorne played a team-high 57 passes, created two chances and scored one goal in another inspiring display for Brisbane Roar against Melbourne City.
Polkinghorne started the scoring at AAMI Park with a stooping header, in a game which ended 3-2 in Brisbane’s favour. The Westfield Matildas defender led from the back as usual and won all of her five duels across the park.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227747293001
Ally Green – Sydney FC
A game-high 93 touches highlighted Ally Green’s busy shift down the left flank of Sydney’s defence against Newcastle Jets.
With three crosses and seven interceptions, Green worked tirelessly to help the Sky Blues earn a fourth consecutive win, and an audacious first-half strike almost produced a magnificent goal if not for the committed glove work of Newcastle’s Claire Coelho.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227753295001
Midfielders
Laura Hughes – Canberra United
Laura Hughes ran the show for Canberra against the Wanderers, with a midfield masterclass of poise and energy.
Leading all starters with a game-high passing accuracy of 91.1%, Hughes created four chances, made three interceptions, enjoyed a 100% tackle rate and assisted Michelle Heyman’s opener.
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READ: Heyman nets first-half brace as Canberra dominate Wanderers
READ: Zimmerman’s late goal sees Victory topple in-form Adelaide
Kendall Fletcher – Canberra United
A game-high 64 passes, three crosses, and two chances created from 82 touches made Kendall Fletcher’s presence in Canberra’s engine room truly felt against the Wanderers.
Fletcher played the key pass which unlocked the Red and Black’s defence for Canberra’s second goal; a pinpoint lofted pass from midfield found Nickoletta Flannery in behind, who in turn found Heyman to finish.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227591917001
Teresa Polias – Sydney FC
The Sky Blues captain continues to produce displays of the highest order in what has been a consistently stellar start to the 2020/21 campaign.
Her 41 passes helped Sydney tick along in midfield, whilst her six crosses and three created chances continued to ask questions of Newcastle’s backline.
Six of eight duels won accompanied four interceptions throughout Polias’ accomplished shift in midfield.
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Forwards
Emily Gielnik – Brisbane Roar
Brisbane striker Gielnik netted a crucial, assured penalty kick in the first half that helped her side remain unbeaten and beat reigning double-winners City 3-2 on Sunday.
Gielnik’s all-round play was immense at AAMI Park and she might have scored more only to be thwarted by two outstanding saves from City goalkeeper and Australian international teammate Teagan Micah.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227748205001
READ: Vine, Siemsen net for Sky Blues in routine win over Jets
READ: Late Hecher stunner seals three points for Roar in five-goal thriller against City
Catherine Zimmerman – Melbourne Victory
Catherine Zimmerman made it three goals in five Westfield W-League games as the United States international headed Melbourne Victory to a 1-0 win over Adelaide United on the road.
Victory boss Jeff Hopkins says Zimmerman only showed a glimpse of what she can offer his side going forward against the Reds, hinting at plenty more clutch moments like this one to follow this season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227303546001
Michelle Heyman – Canberra United
Michelle Heyman moved to within one goal of Sam Kerr’s all-time Westfield W-League record of 70 strikes with a magnificent brace against the Wanderers.
Two clinical finishes on either foot in the first half sent Canberra two goals ahead but the Westfield Matildas striker wasn’t done yet. Heyman thought she’d bagged her hat-trick when she contested Georgia Yeoman-Dale to connect with Grace Maher’s cross at the back post, before the Wanderers defender was ultimately credited the own goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227592946001
READ: Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse – Round 5
