2/2/26
Above: Annalise Rasmussen (left) has had a superb January for the Central Coast Mariners. Photo: A-Leagues
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 January Here are our choices in each category.
Player of the Month:
Annalise Rasmussen (Central Coast Mariners)
by Kieran Yap
Rasmussen goals feel inevitable right now. In January, the Mariners forward scored four goals to bring her season tally to 11 and keep her in the Golden Boot race.
This is a player who leads the line for Central Coast, defends from the front with an aggressive and relentless pressing energy and uses her hold-up ability to create space for the Mariners’ other attackers.
But the most impressive improvement in Rasmussen’s game this season has been her finishing. She’s always been a worker, and a presence, now she’s deadly.
Rasmussen’s pace and timing of her runs usually means she has made time for herself, and that means she can pick her spot and use her powerful strike to leave goalkeeper’s with little to save them.
Pure number nine’s are rare in this game. One who excel with their back to goal and when running at it are even more so. Long term Australian fans have compared her to Kate Gill and she is in the sort of form that should really see her in Matildas contention if any places in the squad’s attack open up.
Rasmussen’s last month was her best in her career so far. It was the best in the league.
Young Player of the Month:
Ilona Melegh (Adelaide United)
by Alyce Collett
January was a big month for Adelaide United, but in particular for its young goal keeper Illona Melegh.
Merely 17 years old, January was the month where Melegh – who had taken the first choice keeper spot from Claudia Jenkins in the last game of December – really cemented her ownership of the role and proved why she is so deserving of it.
The swap in goal keepers has had a telling affect on the results that the Reds have produced.
Before Melegh became the starting goal keeper, they only won one game, drew one and lost four. After Melegh assumed the starting keeper role, they have only lost once and won five games, really rejuvenating their lagging season.
On an individual level Melegh is already in the top 10 in the entire league this season for saved shots and clean sheets, and has conceded less goals than Claudia Jenkins despite playing fewer games than her.
Anyone watching Adelaide games would be forgiven for thinking Melegh is far more experienced than the eight starts to her name or her age would suggest.
She plays with a level of assertiveness far beyond her age or experience would suggest, and that confidence rubs off on the rest of the team. She can confidently crash packs and has strong agility to get down to or across to just about any shot that comes her way.
Head Coach of the Month:
Bev Priestman (Wellington Phoenix)
by Ben Gilby
Bev Priestman moved to the A-League Women in a bid to launch redemption for a coaching career that had become mired in controversy after her ignominious exit from the Canadian national team job. She’s certainly well on the way to that.
Priestman’s Wellington Phoenix side is a combination of experienced players who have represented the club since they came into the competition in 2021, a pack of exceptionally talented local youngsters and astute signings.
Wellington’s Achilles heel in previous seasons has been an inability to make territorial pressure count on the scoreboard, and inconsistent results on the road.
This is now a thing of the past. Priestman has her side playing with real belief, and has given them the confidence to try things. Their outrageous collection of teen talent are able to assert themselves on matches and give it a go without fear of making an error. That can only come with the support and empathy of the head coach.
A playing style which on the front foot sees rapier passing and surging runs with the ball, all because so many of Priestman’s squad have the ability to deliver pinpoint accuracy, mixes with a strong defensive line.
This has led to a stunning January which built on the firm foundations of their end to December. During the opening month of 2026, the Nix won two, drew one and lost one. Those wins came at Canberra United – a notoriously tricky ground to get anything from, and at home to an Adelaide United side who went into the match at Porirua Park unbeaten in five matches.
Priestman is close to not only securing Wellington Phoenix their first finals berth, but potentially a top two spot as well.
Impetus A-League Women Monthly Award Winners 2025/26:
PLAYER:
November: Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
December: Holly McNamara (Melbourne City)
January: Annalise Rasmussen (Central Coast Mariners)
YOUNG PLAYER:
November: Pia Vlok (Wellington Phoenix)
December: Sasha Grove (Canberra United)
January: Ilona Melegh (Adelaide United)
HEAD COACH:
November: Stephen Hoyle (Newcastle Jets)
December: Antoni Jagarinec (Canberra United)
January: Bev Priestman (Wellington Phoenix)
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