Above: Leticia McKenna in action for Melbourne City against Brisbane Roar earlier this season. Photo: Melbourne City.
Each month, Impetus‘ team of writers and photographers who cover the competition will vote to decide their best player, head coach, and young player in the A-League Women. Here are the winners from December.
Player of the month
Leticia McKenna
The Melbourne City conductor had some close competition for January’s award. Caitlin Doeglas’s latest exploits caught the eye, while Erin Healy has been talismanic for Adelaide United. However, McKenna has simply been excellent in the competition’s top team.
The versatile midfielder has links play from deep, creates chances, finishes close to goal and has scored one terrific free kick. City have many strong performers, but McKenna, in a month that saw her bring up her 100th A-League Women game has simply been the most consistent, dangerous and perhaps important player in a side that is still undefeated after 13 games.
Young Player of the month:
Alyssa Whinham
Whinham is a player expected to feature regularly in this column in the years to come. The Wellington Phoenix playmaker has been in eye catching form for much of this season, but in January has added a goal of the season contender to growing highlight reel
Whinham is an entertainer, a dazzling and gifted dribbler who is as composed as she is unpredictable. Wellington coach Paul Temple has entrusted the youngster with a key creative role. She provides the x-factor in a side that has proven hard to beat. Wellington are a finals chance, and the 21 year old Alyssa Whinham is a crucial reason for that.
Head Coach of the Month
Jeff Hopkins
This month was a tough one, Michael Matricciani continued City’s undefeated run in January, Emily Husband remained hard to beat and Adrian Stenta’s Adelaide United established themselves as genuine contenders.
Despite that tough competition it was Jeff Hopkins who took out Manager of the Month for January.
Victory have not been as impervious as City, or as exciting as Roar, but they have been getting results. Hopkins has kept the side hot on the tails of the local rivals despite losing Beattie Goad to retirement and Ellie Wilson to injury by bringing through a number of young or inexperienced players.
Victory only lost once in January, and Hopkins has added to Victory’s depth by trusting in a fast improving Laura Pickett and Rosie Curtis while introducing an immediately impactful Holly Furphy.
He has compromised his preferred game plan by using Alana Jancevski as an attacking full back to make use of her experience and delivery.
Coming in to this season, Victory’s biggest concern was defensive depth. For January at least, Hopkins looks to have found solutions while keeping his side on the hunt for silverware.
Impetus‘ A-League Award Winners 2024/25:
November 2024:
Player: Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar).
Young Player: Sarah O’Donoghue (Perth Glory).
Head Coach: Alex Smith (Brisbane Roar).
December 2024:
Player: Laini Freier (Brisbane Roar).
Young Player: Tiana Fuller (Central Coast Mariners).
Head Coach: Michael Matricciani (Melbourne City).
January 2025:
Player: Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City).
Young Player: Alyssa Whinham (Wellington Phoenix).
Head Coach: Jeff Hopkins (Melbourne Victory).
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