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 (27/2/23).
Player of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Michelle Heyman. For reasons both on and off the pitch. The A-League Women’s all-time top scorer increased her tally by another two in her side’s 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, but more than that was her integral role in the competition’s inaugural Pride Round. In her pre-game media conference, Heyman spoke openly about how she, in conjunction with Heather Reid had been campaigning for such a round for many years and how parents have come up to her after games to comment on how her status as a hugely successful openly gay has helped them to understand their own children. Heyman is an all-around legend and role model par excellence.
BEN CAREY: Adriana Taranto. Her performance for Western United against Newcastle Jets was stellar. She provided three assists for three different goalscorers and created even more opportunities. Taranto is beginning to establish herself as one of the best midfielders in the A-League.
Coach of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Njegosh Popovich. After two successive 5-0 defeats, Canberra United’s season could have fallen apart big time. But the reaction has been phenomenal. Three wins in a row with eight goals scored and just one conceded. He’s motivated his team superbly and they are in a major race for Finals.
BEN CAREY: Natalie Lawrence. Despite a tight 1-0 loss to Sydney FC, she inspired her team to perform exceptionally well for the full match. Wellington defended very well and created some fantastic opportunities. They were always in the match and made Sydney work hard for the win.
Event of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Pride Round. At last. And, how good!
BEN CAREY: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory. It was a very exciting and competitive match, one where the momentum swung back and forth. There were great moments of teams working together and moments of individual brilliance.
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