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 (9/1/23)
Player of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Grace Maher. One of the most naturally gifted players in the entire competition unleashed her magic wand once more to land another addition to her ever-growing collection of sensational goals. Amazing Grace at her best.
KIERAN YAP: Sarina Bolden. Rarely has the influence of a new signing been so obvious. Bolden provided exactly what Western Sydney were missing. They were mobile, dangerous, and creative upfront. The Phillipines international did not score despite coming close, but their impact was exciting and decisive.
JONATHAN TAY: Full of running as always, Mackenzie Hawkesby was influential in Sydney’s hyper-quick start on Saturday, where they rattled in three goals by the 10-minute mark against Newcastle. Had a goal and an assist, played the pass that led to Princess Ibini’s penalty, and could’ve had a second herself.
BEN CAREY: Natasha Rigby. Her superhuman effort against Melbourne Victory kept the Glory in the match and earned them a valuable point against one of the top teams in the league.
Coach of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Kat Smith. Wanderers’ wait for a win stretched for a day shy of 12 months. To finally get that monkey off their back was fantastic. To achieve it against the team who went into the round as league leaders was sensational. Whilst Western Sydney have been generally strong at the back and offered some threats coming forward they have suffered badly for the last two campaigns from a lack of finisher. Sarina Bolden could well help to solve this problem. Whilst one swallow doesn’t make a summer, it’s an undeniable confidence booster.
KIERAN YAP: Kat Smith. The Wanderers did not get lucky against Melbourne City. They outplayed them across most of the pitch. Although City were not without chances, Western Sydney did not look like they were going to lose after Gallagher’s goal. Few would have tipped Western Sydney Wanderers to win this game. Even fewer would have expected them to dominate one of the league’s top sides.
JONATHAN TAY: What a way for Kat Smith’s Western Sydney Wanderers to break their year-long victory drought, upsetting league leaders Melbourne City 2-0 on Sunday. It was deserved too, as Western Sydney took their chances, battled ferociously in midfield, and stifled their opponents’ front three. The Wanderers out-competed City, whilst also limiting them to an expected goals total of just 0.55, and will look to build on the massive win for the rest of the campaign.
BEN CAREY: Kat Smith. Leading the Western Sydney Wanderers, who were equal bottom of the table, to a huge win over Melbourne City, one of the best teams in the league, is such a big achievement.
Event of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Alana Jancevski’s goal for Perth Glory against Melbourne Victory. Jancevski hasn’t had the amount of game time that I honestly expected after a strong season in purple last time round and a fantastic showing in the NPLW Victoria with Bulleen Lions. For me, Jancevski is someone who deserves to be the first pick in the starting XI each week. She is one of those generational players who can create something from nothing. Outrageous skill and stunning finishes are what you get with Jancevski in the side. May Friday’s strike be the first of many. The fact that this strike came against her old side, and in front of her Victorian-based family made it even more special.
KIERAN YAP: Alana Jancevski’s equaliser for Perth Glory against Melbourne Victory. In her home town, against her old side with Perth Glory up against the ropes, Jancevski scored a brilliantly taken goal. It was a huge moment for the player and could be vital for the Glory’s season.
JONATHAN TAY: Negative event of the week, unfortunately, but Rylee Baisden’s injury has Perth Glory fearing the worst. Head coach Alex Epakis described it as “heartbreaking”, and whilst it hasn’t been confirmed to be an ACL injury, he stated, “it doesn’t look good”. It’s a tough blow for Baisden, who currently sits as the joint top goalscorer in the Liberty A-League. If the American is out for the season, it also puts a real dent in Glory’s hopes of making the top four this campaign, especially having shown they can compete with the best, having come from behind to earn a point against Melbourne Victory.
BEN CAREY: This one was tough, but I think it has to be Western United’s Hannah Keane being denied three times by Brianna Edwards and the Wellington Phoenix defence in the 36th minute. I have to give a shout-out to Grace Maher’s incredible long-range goal against Adelaide United as well though.
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