Five players have been nominated for the Westfield W-League’s Player of the Month award for December.
Denise O’Sullivan (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kristen Hamilton (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Western Sydney Wanderers), Hayley Raso (Brisbane Roar) and Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City) are the nominated players.
You can vote for who you believe should take out the December prize in the poll below – but firstly, read on as we recap each player’s star-studded contributions.
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Denise O’Sullivan – Western Sydney Wanderers
It is hard to single out one player from a Wanderers team firing on all cylinders at the moment but Irish international O’Sullivan deserves her name up in lights for December exploits.
If the month began with a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw with reigning Premiers Melbourne Victory, the next saw O’Sullivan play an integral role in a record-breaking 5-0 win over Sydney FC.
She was arguably the best on ground in that unbelievable derby win, and followed that up with another near-flawless display against Canberra, in which the former United player fired home her maiden Westfield W-League goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6118234287001
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Lynn Williams – Western Sydney Wanderers
Williams bagged her side’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Victory at the start of the month before turning in one of the most memorable attacking displays ever seen in the Westfield W-League in the Wanderers’ 5-0 rout of Sydney.
Williams notched a double against the Sky Blues but could well have had many more to her name – she unleashed 10 shots at goal – only to find compatriot Aubrey Bledsoe in fine form in goals.
Another goal against Canberra in the Red and Black’s 4-0 drubbing showed the United States international is reaching the peak of her powers.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117257050001
Kyra Cooney-Cross – Western Sydney Wanderers
December 2019 may be remembered as month Cooney-Cross truly announced herself as a player to watch for years to come.
The third Wanderer nominated for the monthly prize, the Australian youth international burst onto the scene with three goals, including a double against Sydney FC.
Cooney-Cross, still only 17, had experienced players chasing at shadows on that memorable derby thrashing and she also found the net one week later against Canberra.
Hayley Raso – Brisbane Roar
The Westfield Matildas star was another who left opposition defenders terrorised throughout December.
Raso notched an assist and scored the winning goal in Roar’s vital 2-1 win over Canberra at the start of the month, before following that up with a match-winning double in a 3-2 triumph over Adelaide United.
She starred again in a 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory and a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets, helping Brisbane into the top four courtesy of a four matches unbeaten.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6115808179001
Rebekah Stott – Melbourne City
City are grinding their way to the Premiership – five consecutive victories by a one-goal margin is testament to that – and New Zealand international Stott is the integral part of their assault.
Stott played crucial roles in all three of City’s December wins over Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory, and the Kiwi broke a long-scoring drought by popping up with the winner herself against Glory.
