There were big wins for the Melbourne clubs and an upset for the defending Champions in an pulsating Round 13 of the Westfield W-League.
The all-conquering Melbourne City started the round with a 4-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers to wrap-up their second Westfield W-League Premiership, while last year’s Premiers Melbourne Victory found consolation as they romped to a 7-0 win over Newcastle Jets.
Perth Glory continued their late season surge with a surprise 2-1 win over Sydney FC in Wollongong, while Brisbane Roar closed out the round with an impressive five goal win over Canberra United.
With so many excellent performances there were contenders in every position, but which stars made the cut for our Team of the Week for Round 13?
Read on to find out who made it in our 4-3-3 formation.
PREMIERS: Captain Catley says City are ‘even better’ than inaugural all-conquerors
Goalkeeper
Eliza Campbell (Perth Glory)
Campbell was a late inclusion for Glory at WIN Stadium and it proved an inspired decision as the shot-stopper was key to her side’s shock win.
The Glory custodian provided a calming influence at the back and was flawless when it came to collecting crosses and getting off her line quickly.
But she also produced a host of eye-catching saves, including one from Mackenzie Hawkesby late on to keep the Sky Blues at arms’ length.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134897432001
Defenders
Ellie Carpenter (Melbourne City)
What an incredible, show-stealing display this was from the Westfield Matildas and City superstar.
Carpenter was the best on ground as City convincingly wrapped up the Premiers Plate in Sydney’s west, scoring her maiden double in professional football.
The two strikes – a brilliant arching strike with her weaker left, and a neat finish from a trademark burst up the field – show that there a few fullbacks in the world with such a devastating marriage of athleticism and attacking endeavour.
“She never stops running and if we don’t look after her she’ll run herself into the ground,” hailed coach Rado Vidosic after the game.
REACTION: ‘It’s half the job’: Premiers City set sights on Westfield W-League double
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134063004001
Jamie-Lee Gale (Perth Glory)
Up against Sydney FC’s star attacker Veronica Latsko, Gale was a rock as Glory pulled off their massive win over the champions.
The 26-year-old dominated in every statistic, winning nine of her 12 duels contested, while making three clearances and winning three tackles.
Gale did all that without conceding a foul, while she also got forward when she could and made two crosses with both reaching their target.
Jenna McCormick (Melbourne Victory)
It was another consummate display in the backline from the Westfield Matildas and Victory stand-out as she delivered two assists in her side’s big win in Newcastle.
McCormick’s volley set-up Annalie Longo for a third minute opener before she again turned provider with a pin-point cross for Darian Jenkins early in the second half.
In her primary defensive role she was ruthlessly efficient as well and was a big factor in a frustrating afternoon for the Jets forward as she won seven of 10 duels.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135092467001
Carson Pickett (Brisbane Roar)
The American fullback was at her blistering best in an end-to-end performance for the Roar – stealing the headlines with a double in their big win over Canberra.
Her first was a ripping strike from just inside the penalty area that goal the ball rolling for her side in just the 11th minute, while her second put the result beyond doubt as she steered in a pin-point second-half header.
She also created three scoring chances for her teammates in her 90 minute showing – including landing four of 10 crosses – while defensively she also stifled her opponents by winning two duels and two interceptions.
REPORT: Roar smash Canberra to keep alive top four hopes
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135103820001
Midfielders
Aivi Luik (Melbourne City)
City stepped up their game in the second half of the season and have since blown the competition away. Their collective excellence make it hard to isolate individuals for praise but Westfield Matildas veteran Luik certainly stood out above her teammates on Thursday.
The 34-year-old veteran ran the show at Marconi Park, her awareness and intelligence in and out of possession a lesson in midfield mastery. She created four chances, won three interceptions, and picked up the assist for American teammate Ally Watt’s late goal on debut.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134088007001
Morgan Andrews (Perth Glory)
The American midfielder backed up her double against Brisbane Roar last weekend with another brace as Glory upset champions Sydney FC.
As well as dominating the midfield battle against the likes of Teresa Polias and Amy Sayer, Andrews lit up the match with two superbly taken goals.
While the second of those was a classy pirouette and finish, her opener just before the break direct from a free-kick was simply stunning!
REPORT: Andrews grabs a brace as Glory upset Sydney FC in Wollongong
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134884875001
Emily van Egmond (Melbourne City)
The trio of Luik, compatriot van Egmond and Japanese international Yukari Kinga might be one of the strongest midfield combinations ever assembled in competition history.
Luik and Kinga allow the mercurial van Egmond to roam in a more advanced role and when City fire on all cylinders as they inevitably always do in current times, the rangy Novocastrian strikes genuine terror in defences.
Against the Wanderers, van Egmond created five chances, passed at an accuracy of 91% and was unlucky not to get one or two goals herself.
REPORT: Carpenter scores double as City thrash Wanderers and clinch Premiership
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134097222001
Forwards
Darian Jenkins (Melbourne Victory)
The athletic American was relentless for the Victory as they put the Jets to the sword – netting her maiden Westfield W-League double in a seven goal win.
Both headed finishes highlighted her positioning after being in the right spot to capitalise on a scramble prior to half-time, before getting ahead of her marker to convert her second at close range in the second stanza.
Elsewhere on the pitch, she was tireless as she won a match-best 12 duels in her 73 minutes, while also winning all four of her attempted tackles and amassing 73 touches.
REPORT: Longo at the double as the Victory savage the Jets
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135090459001
Crystal Thomas (Perth Glory)
Playing as a lone striker, no one epitomised Glory’s battling display better than the American.
Thomas led Glory in touches with 64, while she had three shots at goal and created two chances for a teammate.
Often isolated up front, Glory often went direct to the always running Thomas, who won a joint game-high 9 duels over the 90 minutes.
Rylee Baisden (Brisbane Roar)
Returning to the starting line-up for Jake Goodship’s side, Baisden was at her blistering best for the Roar as she added an assist to her headline grabbing double.
After setting up Carson Pickett for her side’s opener, Baisden won and then converted a penalty to open her personal account before underscoring her performance with a composed, slotted finish in injury time.
Running riot on the flanks all afternoon, the American created four chances all told for the Roar with her 61 touches as she delighted the home fans at Lions Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135097534001
