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 14/2/24.
Player of the week
Kieran Yap
Melissa Barbieri. At 43 her legend is still being written and was the standout player when City held on for a 0-0 draw with Sydney FC.
There was no way past the former Matildas skipper and current Melbourne City assistant coach even though Sydney tried everything including a penalty kick.
Ben Carey
Michelle Heyman’s two goals and Sharn Freier’s two assists were certainly up there as top performances this round, but for me its impossible to go past Melissa Barbieri as the very best of the round. Her performance against Sydney FC was out of this world. Seven saves and a penalty save to single handedly keep Melbourne City in the game. At 43 years old, she’s proving that age is just a number.
Coach of the week
Kieran Yap
Robbie Hooker. It wasn’t the Wanderers best performance of this season, but it was essential that they win to maintain their finals push. They were able to avoid a slump in form with a first win in three games.
Ben Carey
Kat Smith. Her team, Western United, were down 2-1 against a spirited Brisbane Roar at halftime. Smith was able to inspire her players and employ different tactics to not only reclaim a point, but to snatch all three at the death.
Moment of the week
Kieran Yap
Chloe Largazo’s late winner from the penalty spot was the perfect way to celebrate her return to the national team. It also signalled that Western United are approaching peak form as the season nears its final stages.
Ben Carey
Barbieri’s penalty save against Princess Ibini in the 57th minute. The penalty was placed in the bottom left corner of the goals. Barbieri read it perfectly and pulled out a spectacular diving save to deny Sydney the go-ahead goal.
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