For the final time this season, the Impetus team of writers and photographers covering the A-League Women select their player, coach, and event of the week. This week’s votes will be tallied up with all of the others this season, and we’ll be announcing the player and coach who has received the most weekly votes across the season ahead of the Grand Final (3/4/23).
Player of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Cortnee Vine. What a week – a great performance against Perth Glory in midweek, and then two goals on Saturday to put the icing on Sydney FC’s Premiers Plate cake. It’s going to be hugely enjoyable to see how she can trouble the Lionesses net week.
KIERAN YAP: Holly McNamara. The Matildas prodigy was the best play on the field between Canberra United and Melbourne City. She scored a spectacular goal and set up City’s other two. Her pace, and control are impressive, but her decision-making sets her apart. A special player.
BEN CAREY: Cortnee Vine. She went Super Sayan against Perth Glory. She scored a goal and bagged two assists. She played with confidence, pace, and real vision. Her performance was an essential part of Sydney winning the match and allowing them to keep one hand on the premiership.
Coach of the Week:
BEN GILBY: A third successive Premiers Plate for Sydney FC which is a stunning achievement. It can only be Ante Juric.
KIERAN YAP: Ante Juric. It was a ruthless, entertaining, and brilliant display from Sydney FC. Juric did not take the Newcastle Jets lightly, and his team delivered a third straight Premiership.
BEN CAREY: Nat Lawrence. Once again she led Wellington Phoenix to an inspired comeback against one of the league’s most established teams in Melbourne Victory. If the Phoenix can make some good signings in the off-season, I believe Lawrence’s team can have a very good campaign next season.
Event of the Week:
BEN GILBY: Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory. A great effort from the Nix who gained a point at the death from Grace Wisnewski. It emphasised the huge spirit in the team. It also set up a highly dramatic winner takes all clash the following day between Melbourne City and Canberra United.
KIERAN YAP: Grace Wisnewski’s late equaliser for Wellington Phoenix looked to have ended Melbourne Victory’s season. It came through persistence and opportunism. In the closing seconds of the game, she gave Phoenix fans something to celebrate and hope for the future.
BEN CAREY: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix. This game was exciting and chaotic. The two early goals from Victory, followed by an hour-long power struggle, the Phoenix desperate to claw their way back and avoid the wooden spoon. A stunner from Pritchard in the 75th minute, and then absolute chaos as Wisnewski slotted in the equaliser in the ninth and final minute of stoppage time. Edge of the seat stuff.
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