Members of the Impetus team of contributors covering the competition unveil their choices of player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of all the votes and just before Finals, reveal which player and coach have received the most votes across the season to be named the Impetus A-League Women Player and Coach of the Season (24/12/23).
Player of the week:
BEN GILBY: Chloe Logarzo. The Matildas star put in a hugely influential display, especially in the first half of Western United’s win over Perth Glory on Friday. Logarzo lined up magnificently with Hannah Keane, making intelligent runs, and finding perfectly weighted passes, and the icing on the cake was a goal on her birthday to seal the win.
KIERAN YAP: Mariana Speckmaier. The Venezuelan is the striker that the Phoenix have been missing for the last few seasons. Against the Jets yesterday, she was an electric presence. Her confidence spread through the side and her penalty was emphatically struck.
BEN CAREY: Rylee Foster. She was crucial in Wellington Phoenix’s victory over Newcastle Jets. Six saves and a clean sheet against a very attack-minded Jets. Absolute brick wall. Macca would be proud.
Coach of the week:
BEN GILBY: Kat Smith. The new Western United head coach had certainly done her homework on Perth Glory. Smith constructed her team to ensure that Glory’s key creative midfielders Susan Phonsongkham and Sofia Sakalis were largely nullified. Grace Jale was completely wrapped up, and Millie Farrow was forced deeper and deeper to look for attacking opportunities. This, plus her dynamic attacking duo of Chloe Logarzo and Hannah Keane were key to Western United downing the league leaders.
KIERAN YAP: Dario Vidosic. It’s hard to go past a win against a local rival that he had never beaten as a coach in a match to reverse a slight blip. A strong result.
BEN CAREY: Kat Smith. Leading her team to victory over the league leaders was a huge effort. Her work at the team is finally paying off. Not only did Western United defend well, but their attacks were strong and relentless. They might be back to last season’s form before too long thanks to Smith.
Moment of the week:
BEN GILBY: Emina Ekic’s winning goal in the Melbourne derby. It ensured that City went into the holiday period three points clear at the top of the ladder. Defeat for Ekic’s side would have led to a three-way log jam between City, Victory, and Perth on 17 points. The goal and the resulting win were huge.
KIERAN YAP: Annalee Grove’s last-minute save from Sophie Harding for Adelaide United at Western Sydney Wanderers.
BEN CAREY: Ash Brodigan’s long-range strike for Brisbane Roar that beat Sydney FC keeper Jada Whyman at the near post. That doesn’t happen very often. What an effort.
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