4/1/26
Above: Impetus’ choice of player of the month for December 2025 – Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara. Photo: Adrian Geremia for Impetus.
Impetus’ team of writers and photographers covering the A-League Women this season have joined together to select their Player, Young Player (aged 21 and under), and Head Coach of the Month for November. Here are our choices in each category.
Player of the Month:
Holly McNamara (Melbourne City)
by Alyce Collett
It was another strong goal scoring month for one of the brightest young attacking stars of Australian football.
Despite Melbourne City only playing two games in the month of December, McNamara scored at a rate of more than one goal a game, with a hattrick against Perth Glory propelling her to the top of the Golden Boot standings as things currently sit.
Not only is she scoring plenty of goals, but is also doing a lot of work to help set up the goals, which is not something traditionally associated with someone playing the number nine role like she is at the moment. McNamara currently sits equal third in the league for goal assists, which is just one behind current league leaders Sharn Freier and Holly Furphy.
The two pronged front line attacking partnership McNamara is developing with Chinaza Uchendu is creating a lot of headaches for opposition defences, and making an already daunting City attack even more dangerous.
Young Player of the Month:
Sasha Grove (Canberra United)
by Kieran Yap
Grove was decisive in December. The winger/fullback/sometimes forward scored two goal of the round winners, including a last minute equaliser against The Central Coast Mariners.
Grove has been highly impactful for Canberra beyond the goals. She creates chances with her explosive wing play and her versatility allows Antoni Jagarinec to move to to either full back spot if his side needs to add an extra attacker.
Canberra United ended the month on top of the table, and Sasha Grove’s performances were a huge factor in that accomplishment.
Head Coach of the Month:
Antoni Jagarinec (Canberra United)
After starting the season with only one point from their first three games, Antoni Jagarinec encouraged his talented Canberra United squad to trust in the process with huge success.
The capital city side had an unbeaten December with four wins and a draw. Three of those victories came in successive weeks against competition heavyweights Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Melbourne City.
Jagarinec has his side playing with confidence coursing through their veins. Michelle Heyman is firing the goals, Sasha Grove is in some of the best form of her career, and key arrivals Mary Stanic-Floody and Emma Robers are rising.
Canberra have entered 2026 on top of the ladder – if Jagarinec can ensure his side have the confidence and belief should a more challenging run of results come, then they could end up going deep into Finals this season.
Impetus A-League Women Monthly Award Winners 2025/26:
PLAYER:
November: Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
December: Holly McNamara (Melbourne City)
YOUNG PLAYER:
November: Pia Vlok (Wellington Phoenix)
December: Sasha Grove (Canberra United)
HEAD COACH:
November: Stephen Hoyle (Newcastle Jets)
December: Antoni Jagarinec (Canberra United)
impetusfootball.org 