Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the A-League Women will nominate a player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of the player and coach votes as the weeks go by, and just before the Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (5/12/22).
Player of the Week:
KIERAN YAP: Alex Chidiac. The Victory playmaker looked back to her best in very challenging conditions. She ran tirelessly defensively and attacked Wellington relentlessly. It was an extremely hot day in Melbourne, and Chidiac’s effort was extraordinary. She ended the game with one assist and a shot that hit the post.
BEN GILBY: Can you give a player of the week award to someone who only played 45 minutes? Normally I’d hesitate, but not after watching Shay Hollman’s efforts in the first half of the Sydney derby. The 17-year-old was absolutely sensational, working hard in the transitions and showing superb vision to link up with her teammates in the face of a Wanderers high press. Only withdrawn for tactical reasons after Nat Tobin’s second yellow, Hollman was superb.
JONATHAN TAY: This could’ve gone to any of a host of Melbourne City players this week, after a real whole-team effort against Brisbane Roar. Emina Ekic though, was right in the thick of all of City’s action, notching their third goal, and the American’s first tally of the season. She didn’t have an assist but was involved in an impressive 11 shot-creating actions, including winning a penalty. The 23-year-old shone from her left-wing position, also having involvement in the Melbournians’ first two goals as well; her cross found Bryleeh Henry (via a deflection off Maria Rojas’ back) to open the scoring, with another pullback creating Daniela Galic’s initial shot, after which Rojas nodded in the rebound. It’s been a great start to life in the A-League so far for Ekic.
BEN CAREY: Emina Ekic’s efforts against Brisbane Roar were paramount to Melbourne City’s emphatic victory. Ekic scored a goal, won a penalty kick, and created several more goal-scoring opportunities.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Shay Hollman for Sydney FC against Western Sydney Wanderers, played as if she was an A-League Women’s veteran despite the fact that it was only her second competitive match in the league. The ways in which she was getting involved in the action and the chances she made as well as just how comfortable she looked out there was truly something else. Withdrawn at the break due to Natalie Tobin’s sending off, for tactical reasons by Deborah-Ann de la Harpe, Hollman stood out.
KIERAN CHEA: Emina Ekic of Melbourne City was energetic all game against Brisbane Roar and always looked like a threat when she was attacking.
Coach of the Week:
KIERAN YAP: Newcastle Jets were playing well, but had gone down by a goal for a second time in the game. Wilson responded decisively and made changes off the bench. On came Ash Brodigan and her calm finish rescued a point. The Jets shifted personnel and game plan slightly, but it made a huge difference.
BEN GILBY: Mark Torcaso’s Western United team were down on the scoreboard in Adelaide. No shame in that at all. But the belief he has instilled in this new squad, and the clever recruitment of NPL players he knew well from Calder United, along with other young names from around Victoria, plus the marquee signings of Jess McDonald and Chloe Logarzo came together to create a sensational comeback. Something really special could well be brewing down there. Their derby in a fortnight with Melbourne City after having the bye this coming weekend looks set to be a must-see clash.
JONATHAN TAY: Melbourne City look like they haven’t missed a beat, transitioning from father, Rado Vidosic, to son, Dario, as head coach. They put in a dominant display in their 3-0 win against top-four hopefuls Brisbane, showing them what real title challengers look like. After missing out on the Grand Final last year, it’s clear City have taken their performance to another level, Vidosic going with a new look 4-3-3 formation to start the campaign. Their influential midfield of Rhianna Pollicina, Daniela Galic, and Leah Davidson has been superb, allowing City to control games and rack up 6.3 expected goals (xG) from just two games. Last week Vidosic emphasised, “My mentality is that we always want to win, the trophies are there to be won – that’s why we play.” Still early days, but they look to already be the team to beat this season.
BEN CAREY: Mark Torcaso leading his expansion team Western United to victory against yet another strong, in-form team in Adelaide United was another great achievement on his resume.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Like with the first game of City’s season against Wellington, Dario Vidosic, despite only temporarily being in the role as Melbourne City Women’s head coach, Dario has looked so at home coaching the side and it really feels like nothing has changed in the setup of the club. Should he not stay on permanently with Melbourne City, he will be hotly sought after for any head-coach roles that may become available in the A-League Women in the near future.
KIERAN CHEA: Dario Vidosic. A convincing and relentless Melbourne City side reinforcing Vidosic’s winning mentality.
Event of the Week:
KIERAN YAP: Emma Robers late winner for Western United. It was a terrific goal by any standard. That she could strike it so perfectly in the 97th-minute was incredible. It put Western United on top of the table with three wins. They are the only team remaining with a perfect record.
BEN GILBY: Western United’s superb comeback at Adelaide United. Chloe Logarzo took control of the midfield after coming on as a substitute and gave her side renewed control. Throw in an absolute stunner of a winner at the death from Emma Robers and you get one of those magic Dub moments.
JONATHAN TAY: The Western United train keeps on rolling, though not without some drama this gameweek. Down 1-0 in a tight contest with Adelaide United and entering stoppage time, a long throw from Jess McDonald led to Sydney Cummings’ deflected equaliser seemingly salvaging a point for Western United. However, they went one step further, Emma Robers smashing home a 97th-minute corner from the edge of the box to give the Western Melbourne team the win and maintain a perfect record after three games.
BEN CAREY: It’s a close one this week but for me, it’s Emma Robers’ incredible 97th-minute goal from just outside the 18-yard box to give Western United a thrilling last-second win against Adelaide United. Special shoutout to Remy Siemsen though for her amazing high-looping goal from the far right side of the field in the 82nd minute to give Sydney FC the win over the Wanderers.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: There are not enough superlatives that can fully describe just how amazing and incredible Remy Siemsen’s match-winning goal in the Sydney Derby for Sydney FC truly was. From turning herself outside the box, then setting up the chance just right with her shot then going over the head of Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer and into the back of the net, what a way to not only make an impact off the bench but to score such a goal as the one she did in just her second match back with Sydney FC.
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