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 (6/2/23).
Player of the Week:
BEN GILBY:
Alex Chidiac. Another superb performance in the Melbourne Victory midfield. With her loan spell edging towards its conclusion, Victory fans will be keeping everything crossed that Jeff Hopkins can persuade her NWSL club to allow his Matildas star to hang around until the end of the A-League Women season.
KIERAN YAP:
Sarah Hunter. At just 19, she easily dominated A-League Women’s midfield. Her goal was spectacular, but her all-round play was excellent. Hunter is one of the best players in the competition in this form.
JONATHAN TAY:
Alex Chidiac. It’s clear that Melbourne Victory will live and die by the performances of Chidiac. With a number of key injuries this season and a midfield that has flattered to deceive, the Matilda has raised her game to be a difference-maker for her side. The 24-year-old produced a beautiful slide-rule pass into Beattie Goad for the opening goal, before converting a late penalty in Melbourne’s 3-1 win over Western Sydney. She now leads her team with five goals and five assists, and if Victory are to have any hope of making noise this campaign, they’ll need Chidiac to continue to be their X-factor.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:
Grace Jale. Her performance for Canberra United against Newcastle Jets was crucial towards the end result for United with her presence on the pitch. For her team’s first goal, made a great one-two pass before setting up Laura Hughes.
BEN CAREY:
Cortnee Vine. A goal and an assist against Melbourne City. Another stellar performance from Vine, once again proving why she is not only essential to Sydney FC, but also a crucial part of the modern Matildas squad.
Coach of the Week:
BEN GILBY:
Alex Epakis. His Perth Glory team were without a game for three weeks, and then faced an away trip to the league leaders who had only lost once all season. The Western Australians could have been excused for appearing rusty. Instead, they were exceptionally well organised and produced their best defensive and offensive performance of the season.
KIERAN YAP:
Ante Juric. Another three-goal win against a top-four opponent can’t be ignored. This was a brutally efficient performance from Sydney FC.
JONATHAN TAY:
Certainly the most pleasing result of the campaign thus far for Perth Glory and head coach Alex Epakis, who upset current ladder leaders Western United 3-1. They were able to successfully apply pressure high up the field in the first half, before defending solidly in the second, restricting the quality of chances that United were able to muster. Perth have a much friendlier schedule for the remainder of the season, and they will have drawn confidence from Saturday’s game. Results will be vital down the stretch if they’re to stand any chance for finals contention.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:
Ante Juric. Sydney FC were especially strong against Melbourne City and, despite having less possession in the match, they were able to not only see off any threats that were made by City but seized their opportunities of scoring when it mattered the most.
BEN CAREY:
Alex Epakis. Leading his team, who were near the bottom of the table, to a convincing win over the league leaders, Western United was a huge achievement. I was impressed with his leadership and belief.
Event of the Week:
BEN GILBY:
Alana Jancevski’s free-kick goal for Perth Glory at Western United. From 25 yards, the curl and power that the young gun put on the ball was sensatational. A class goal from a class player.
KIERAN YAP:
Melbourne Victory’s third goal. Catherine Zimmerman should have run the ball to the corner, instead, she took a gamble and set up the hard-running Tiffany Eliadis for an easy finish. It was a wonderful way to celebrate her return from injury.
JONATHAN TAY:
Clare Hunt earned her first call-up to the Matildas national team squad ahead of the Cup of Nations tournament taking place later this month. It’s reward for Hunt’s impressive displays at the back during Western Sydney’s recent good run of form, with the 23-year-old holding her own against a number of international strikers this season. More than just Hunt’s call-up in isolation though, it is pleasing to see Australian head coach Tony Gustavsson and his staff continue to keep their eyes on candidates plying their trade in the A-League. Arguably, the level of competition cannot compare to what is found in the better leagues in Europe. However, there are certainly players domestically who are capable of filling in the depth of the Matildas squad, alongside the more high-profile likes of Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine, and Alex Chidiac.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:
Sarah Hunter’s goal for Sydney FC against Melbourne City. After a great lay off from Madison Haley, Hunter hit a first-time shot from outside the box going past City’s goalkeeper Sally James. Huinet made it look so effortless.
BEN CAREY:
Brisbane Roar defender Jessie Rasschaert scoring her first-ever goal in the A-League with a brilliant header against Adelaide United. It’s been five years in the making!
impetusfootball.org 