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 (13/2/23).
Player of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Cyera Hintzen. Perth Glory’s American striker may have scored two sensational goals, but she delivers far for the team. Physically strong, Hintzen is adept and links up the play superbly. She is just one of several of the club’s attackers who have stepped up to the plate after Rylee Baisden’s season-ending injury.
KIERAN YAP: Cyera Hintzen was outstanding for Perth Glory. Her two goals were brilliant individual efforts, but she played an almost complete centre forward’s game. Perth has a varied array of weapons, but when Hintzen is in this sort of form, she unlocks all of them.
BEN CAREY: Morgan Aquino. While Cyera Hintzen’s two goals and an assist was an incredible achievement, Newcastle Jets have not exactly had the strongest defence this season. For me, Aquino was even more impressive. She made nine saves. Nine. Her perfomance ensured that Glory always had the momentum. And even more impressive, it was her first start in two months!
Coach of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Mark Torcaso. Western United did it the hard way against Melbourne City in the battle of the top two. Without Jess McDonald and Chloe Logarzo, and defeats in their last two outings, there were concerns that Torcaso’s side were slipping, but they certainly put those fears to rest.
KIERAN YAP: Mark Torcaso. The Western United squad looks a little different to the one that last defeated Melbourne City, but he masterminded another victory after two consecutive losses. It kept Western on top of the table and shook off any worries they might be slipping.
BEN CAREY: Gary van Egmond. First week on the job and he leads his team, Newcastle Jets, who have really been suffering lately, to a huge upset victory over the league leaders, Western United. That’s one way to announce yourself as head coach.
Event of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Canberra United’s win over Sydney FC. On a landmark day for club icon Michelle Heyman, the capital city side delivered a sensational win over Sydney FC, one which was long awaited by their fans. Those two successive 5-0 defeats seem a long time ago all of a sudden.
KIERAN YAP: Grace Maher’s corner in the dying minutes helping Canberra United to a brilliant win against the much-favoured Sydney FC. She could not have placed it better. Canberra’s star playmaker always delivers when the pressure is on.
BEN CAREY: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory. On a scorcher of a day this match had it all. A penalty. A masterful goal from Shea Connors. A midfield battle between two of the best in the league, Katrina Gorry and Alex Chidiac. Incredible saves up both ends. 15 minutes of stoppage time all up. It was enthralling to watch live.
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