Back for the third season, Impetus’ team covering the A-League Women nominate their choices for player, coach, and event of the week. The votes for player and coach are tallied up and then come the end of the campaign we’ll reveal our Player and Coach of the Season once more (16/10/23).
Player of the week
BEN GILBY: Susan Phonsongkham has found it hard to consistently find her best form at Perth Glory as a result of suffering so many injuries. Yet, on Saturday night, she showed Glory fans exactly what she is capable of. It was a thrilling performance full of dancing feet, outrageous skill, beating defenders, and firing dangerous crosses right into the mix. The Perth star provided the icing on the cake with a lovely curled bouncing shot to put her side in front.
EMMA BURKE: Courtney Newbon. Announced as a signing for Central Coast Mariners only 90 minutes before kickoff, and not only makes the starting 11, but produces multiple crucial saves (including a double save in the first half) to keep the Mariners in the game. Absolutely massive performance.
KIERAN YAP: Susan Phonsongkham. The former Young Matilda has had her career at Glory hampered by injuries, but against Western United she was electric while on the pitch. Phonsongkham created chance after chance and scored the crucial first goal of Glory’s season. An effervescent talent who can do almost anything with the ball at her feet. She was a joy to watch.
BEN CAREY: Morgan Aquino. She was absolutely pivotal in Perth Glory’s massive win over last season’s runners-up, Western United. She made an incredible 8 saves and kept a clean sheet. Impressive stuff, especially for the first game of the season.
Coach of the week:
BEN GILBY: Garrath McPherson. After a hugely disappointing 2022/23 season, McPherson has rebuilt the Roar and made some impressive signings. However, a first game of the season away to a Melbourne Victory outfit who has arguably the competition’s strongest side on paper was not one too many people expected the Queenslanders to win – but McPherson guided his team to a brilliant three points.
EMMA BURKE: Garrath McPherson. Brisbane played a well-structured game to defeat Melbourne Victory 2-1 at the Victory’s new home ground. McPherson did well to control Victory through a well-set midfield that defended as well as set up attacking chances.
KIERAN YAP: Garreth McPherson has a remarkable record against Melbourne Victory, and that continued in the Round One win. Victory were the favourites on paper, but Brisbane came with a game plan and took their chances to extend The Roars unbeaten record in this fixture to four.
BEN CAREY: Garrath McPherson. What his side, Brisbane Roar, pulled off was nothing short of a miracle: taking out Melbourne Victory, the three-time champions with a team full of youngsters and new signings. The signings he made over the break turned out to be very effective. And most importantly, his team’s late-game management was far improved, and they managed to keep all three hard-earned points.
Event of the week:
BEN GILBY: Emilia Murray. A late leveller in an incredible match containing eight goals. Another stunning reaction from the youngster as it went in as well!
EMMA BURKE: Grace Kuilamu’s goal against Melbourne Victory. 16 years old, on her first scholarship contract with Brisbane, gets the start for her first game of the season, and scores an incredible goal (also a first). What more could you ask for?
KIERAN YAP: For the second season in a row, Emilia Murray has scored a dramatic late goal on opening day. This time it was to save a point for Adelaide United in a 4-4 thriller. It was an incredible way to end an amazing game.
BEN CAREY: Adelaide United v Canberra United. Eight goals. Three penalties. Horrendous errors. Moments of absolute brilliance. A total thriller from start to finish. Hard to take your eyes away from it.
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