Impetus Achievers Awards

Our A-League Women writing team of Ben Gilby, Kieran Yap, and Kris Goman hand out their weekly player, coach, and event of the week awards. Whilst there was a general consensus for the player and coach awards, there were diverging views for the event award! (13/12/21).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Ben: Honourable mentions have to go to the Sydney FC pair of Remy Siemsen and Taylor Ray. Siemsen’s two-goal haul showed both sides of her goalscoring prowess – the penalty box predator and a glorious long-range curling effort. Ray absolutely bossed the midfield against Western Sydney Wanderers. But for me, this weekend’s stand-out was Adelaide United’s Nanako Sasaki. A sensational 20 yarder to level the scores against Canberra United followed by a sensational dink over Allyson Haran into the path of Emily Condon who slotted the Reds’ late winner.

Kieran: Adelaide needed a response after they had conceded their sixth goal of the season and they got it through Nanako Sasaki who stepped up with a great goal and a brilliant assist. 

Kris: It’s got to be Nanako Sasaki. An incredible goal and absolutely inspired assist. It was really something for her to read that play so well.

COACH OF THE WEEK:

Ben: When you started the season having not won a match for just under two years and then manage to win two in a row thanks to last gasp winners, something is clearly going in the right direction. Alex Epakis has undoubtedly instilled a deep belief and desire into his young team. There were also signs of learning from the less impressive areas of the previous week’s performance when the Glory midfield was bettered by Brisbane – that was not the case on Friday. Whatever happens over the next few weeks due to border issues, Alex Epakis is doing a superb job in Western Australia.

Kieran: It’s Alex Epakis for me. His Perth Glory team had to embark on the longest distance away trip in Australian sport and he had to manage injuries and fatigue to experienced players. Epakis made the right moves at the right time and secured another late win.

Kris: Perth Glory earning two clutch wins in two weeks to remain undefeated, especially against Brisbane Roar is something to write home about. Alex Epakis earns it, for me.

EVENT OF THE WEEK:

Ben: The arrival of two 15 year-olds onto the pitch from the substitutes bench in the Sydney derby. Young Matildas Mary Stanic-Floody (Sydney FC) and Alexia Apostolakis (Western Sydney Wanderers) gave a glimpse of the future and in their respective short spells on the pitch, certainly didn’t look out of place.

Kieran: Wellington Phoenix’s first goal. Ava Pritchard will go down in dub history as the first player to net for the club. They’re off the mark and deserved it for their endeavour over two games. 

Kris: Amy Jackson for scoring a spectacular own goal then getting sent off. She had quite the day despite putting in a bloody good effort.