Impetus writers voted on the best three players and coaches for the 2023/24 season of the A-League Women. It was a big season with some stellar performances and intriguing narratives. Here, we reveal who was voted in our top three spots for both categories, and members of our team covering the league this season explain their reasons for the choice.
2023/24 Impetus A-League Women Player of the Season
Winner: Michelle Heyman
KIERAN YAP: Michelle Heyman has had another stunning season. 17 goals in 22 games for an inexperienced team that struggled for results is a testament to her individual quality. In the process, she brought up her 100th A-League Women goal, reinforced her status as one of the greats of the game and at the age of 34 earned a Matildas call up which resulted in five goals across two games.
Heyman continues to impress and impact games. Only three sides scored more goals than Canberra United this season, and none of them were in the bottom half of the table. Her seven assists bring her direct goal contributions up to 24 in 22 matches. Her record in the final third has not slowed, and neither had her pace.
Heyman’s form is deserving of a third Julie Dolan Medal, but she will face stiff competition. As an out and out striker, she remains statistically unparalleled in this league, and as an all round player she continues to be a star.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: Michelle Heyman has simply had an astonishingly good season. The fact that she managed to break Sam Kerr’s goals in a season record, get recalled to the Matildas for the first time in years, and help keep a struggling team off of the bottom of the table is only made more incredible at the age she’s done it at. She’s proof that age is just a number in football.
BEN GILBY: It’s been a fairytale season for Michelle Heyman. If ever you want a definition of a footballer, who gets better and better with age, just like a good bottle of Australian red wine, it’s the striker who simply is Canberra United. Prior to the season’s commencement, Heyman made it very clear that she was focusing in on a return to international football. To be able to achieve it and then thrive once more at the highest table whilst playing in a team finding it hard to string wins together just highlighted when ability, experience, determination, and sheer desire can do. All adjectives you would also associate more widely with the club that the attacker plays for.
The 35-year-old outlined the reasons she believes account for her outstanding form for club and country this year when, prior to the recent Matildas international with Mexico she said: “I’m just so much smarter these days, it’s fantastic! Experience and age is a gift, and I look at my 25-year-old self, and I wish I knew everything then that I know now. I think it’s better than ever being older because I understand the game more.”
Heyman has been peerless this season, and with her part of the Canberra United family, you just know the capital city side will come back next season fighting harder than ever on and off the field with their talismanic striker leading the way.
KRIS GOMAN: Heyman has stepped up a notch this season. It was very obvious that she wanted to get back into the Matildas and go to the Olympics. Amazing what a clear goal can do. She’s been completely dominant, breaking league records left, right, and centre and it’s been so uplifting to watch. Fully deserves this top spot.
Second Place: Cortnee Vine
KIERAN YAP: Cortnee Vine entered this season with huge expectations. After achieving near global fame at the 2023 Women’s World Cup with her penalty kick against France, Vine became the face of the A-League Women and Marquee Player.
Her presence alone attracted fans in the early days of the season, and a Round One record-setting crowd could be attributed to the continued Matildas mania, for which she held the torch.
Vine’s season has not been as brutally consistent as Michelle Heyman, but she worked her way into form this season to re-establish herself as one of the outstanding wingers in this league.
Her acceleration and defensive work makes her a nightmare for many teams to defend, but her finishing has improved and in a season where Sydney FC’s attacking stocks has been heavily depleted by injuries, Vine has been the reason they contend for trophies.
10 goals and six assists across 19 games in a new-look Sydney FC team is an excellent return from a player who must have been feeling immense pressure to deliver on the hype of the World Cup.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: For a player who missed a fair chunk of the season, Cortnee Vine had a massive impact on Sydney’s season. With less than advantageous conditions for the Sky Blues, she still managed to thrive, creating and scoring many for her team.
BEN GILBY: No longer just a player with searing pace on the flank who can cut inside and lash home vital goals. This is Cortnee Vine Mark II – the new, smarter model.
The technique, advice, and confidence that the Sydney star has taken from her international experience, that culiminated in that moment in the World Cup Quarter-Final in France that none of us privileged enough to be in Australia last August will ever forget.
This season, Vine is still the red hot runner with the sensational finishing ability, but it’s now part of a player who is that bit smarter. She knows the additional channels to slot into, she knows the importance of reading both team-mates and opposition play in depth to ensure she can join or counter the moves where appropriate.
Cortnee Vine is now developing an all-round game that mark her out as someone who can be a key part of The Matildas’ drive towards gold in Paris this August.
KRIS GOMAN: Vine has matured a lot this season. She’s started playing like an experienced Matilda. The Sydney FC star always been attack minded but she’s a lot more strategic now, timing her runs, timing her crosses, reading the spaces. The Golden Boot leader board is crowded at the top but Vine is up there for both goals and assists. She’s also proven herself to be a leader both on and off the field.
Third Place: Morgan Aquino
KIERAN YAP: Morgan Aquino’s 2023/24 season established her as one of the best young goalkeepers in Australia. Perth Glory’s saviour on multiple occasions, she was outstanding when they were winning, and their best chance of making the finals when the team’s form tapered off.
The individual narrative around Aquino went from people noticing that she was playing well, to quickly accepting that she was an excellent player in great form. Glory conceded far more goals than anybody at the club would find acceptable, but any that she could humanly prevent, she did.
Aquino is still currently eligible for Australia’s Under 23 side. Another season of consistent and often eye-catching goalkeeping could see her with a senior call-up in the near future.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: Morgan Aquino is simply a brick wall. Her contributions were vital during Perth’s successful run, as well as keeping them in games during their struggle in the second half of the season. Her shot-stopping skills along with her experience and leadership make her invaluable.
BEN GILBY: Aquino has been at career-best form throughout this season. A goalkeeper that Western Australians have known for a number of years has this potential ability in her locker is now delivering it week-in-week-out.
Speaking to me back in February, the 22-year-old put her outstanding run of performances down to two factors – having a total break from the game at the end of the 2022/23 A-League Women season, and getting the confidence from being a regular starter for Perth Glory.
Aquino spent much of the off-season travelling around Europe rather than playing NPLW football which brought her back to Perth well rested and fully focussed on honing her craft to keep the starting spot between the sticks for the Western Australian side.
The two previous seasons saw Aquino competing with first Courtney Newbon and then Sarah Langman for a spot in the starting line-up, with none of those players getting a consistent run of starts. This campaign, the position in goal was handed to Aquino from the start, and she kept her performance levels sky high to ensure that head coach Alex Epakis never even considered Lilly Bailey or Sally James.
It was a situation that Aquino felt played a significant part in driving her performance levels this year to another height; the hunger and desire to get the number one slot and retain it. Repeat it in 2024/25 and international recognition could well come her way.
KRIS GOMAN: Aquino has some very impressive stats this season. One of only two players to start every match and a save percentage of 81.1% including saving two out of three penalties. Given where Glory ended up in the table, it’s doubly impressive. She was arguable her team’s most important player this season.
2023/24 Impetus A-League Women Coach of the Season
Winner: Emily Husband
KIERAN YAP: The Central Coast Mariners coach had a big task this season. Emily Husband had to assemble a team from scratch that could compete immediately and help grow and retain a fanbase. The Mariners launched in a season packed with potential but also pressure.
Following the World Cup, there was an opportunity to attract and retain fans in the second life of the A-League Women’s team.
Husband delivered a combative and attacking side. She got her international signings like Faye Bryson and Wurigumula perfect, her young players like Peta Trimis evolved into potential stars and the NPLW or experienced A-League Women recruits like Isabel Gomez or Bianca Galic delivered stellar seasons.
When teams play The Mariners, they have rarely been in for an easy afternoon. They are well organized, confident and dangerous. Husband has taken them to within one game of a Grand Final in her first season in charge. It is a terrific achievement.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: In the Central Coast Mariners first season back in the league, they absolutely thrived and it’s mostly thanks to Emily Husband. Her recruitment of local and international players was top-notch, and she managed to get the best out of each of her players. She took relatively unknown names and made them stars.
BEN GILBY: Taking over as head coach of a club returning to the A-League Women after so many years away is a tough gig. Doing it as your first coaching job in the comp just ratchets up that level of toughness and pressure even further.
The responsibility of putting together a totally new squad of players, many of whom have never played A-League Women football before either is one that can weigh heavy on the shoulders, but not only did Husband wear that pressure lightly, but she cleverly, and, initially, quietly went about her building business.
Putting together a group she was familiar with from her time at the helm of Sydney University, along with some extremely astute signings from overseas and adding the priceless experience of both Kyah Simon and Casey Dumont showed that Husband was constructing an identity for the new Mariners side which was attractive to players. It would also become one that was attractive to fans and dangerous to opponents.
Husband and her Central Coast Mariners will face a different sort of pressure next season – people know what they are capable of – and they may face fierce competition to keep hold of key players. But Husband is so astute, I have a feeling she’ll just take it in her stride.
KRIS GOMAN: Got to admit Husband really wasn’t on my radar for most of the season but the way the Mariners finished the season and made the finals she ended up on every radar in the land. From very smart recruitment to bringing the team together, it all worked very successfully, especially this being her first season as a head coach in a professional league.
Second Place: Dario Vidosic
KIERAN YAP: In his second season in charge, Melbourne City’s Dario Vidosic has delivered a top-of-the-table finish while developing as a coach and improving on 2022/23.
Vidosic’s style is most easily described as possession based. City keep the ball and are extremely patient to a degree that borders on caution. Combined with the quality of players at his disposal, this had brought more wins than losses in his two-season tenure, but changes had to be made to improve this season, and circumstances forced him to adapt. He has done both to great success.
City’s early season form was typified by the pace and invention of Holly McNamara in attack. When the star striker succumbed to another horrible knee injury, he shifted tactics and personnel. Kaitlyn Torpey moved from right back to left wing to outstanding effect.
Torpey’s form earned her a transfer to San Diego Wave, and Vidosic reshuffled again. City’s mid season form dip almost cost them the league, but despite losing Torpey and goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx to transfers, and the likes of Daniala Galic, Tijan Mckenna, and Naomi Chinnama to international duty, City continued to adapt, and get the wins that they needed to clinch the premiership.
City seemed to become more confident in attack. Young players like Shelby McMahon were trusted to win important games, and Australia Under 23 striker Bryleeh Henry was switched to full-back. They were blessed with depth in the squad, but other sides have shown that having the biggest names does not necessarily equal success. Vidosic had to try things out and see what worked while in a title race.
It is hard to find any fault in the way Vidosic has coached over the home and away season. They were deserved premiers in 2023/24.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: Dario Vidosic balanced the experience and youth of his team excellently. Perhaps his most important achievement was his coaching of young star Daniela Galic, who played a huge role in Melbourne City’s premiership. His resilience to keep going through rough patches paid off greatly as they overtook a stumbling Sydney on the final day of the regular season.
BEN GILBY: Dario Vidosic deserves real credit for the performances of his Melbourne City side this season. A raft of new players came into the squad for this campaign to gel with a number of familiar faces. They have overcome injury, a run of matches where wins proved hard to come by and international call-ups to go about their business with no little talent.
Vidosic is an exceptionally smart tactician. Whilst he may not set up his side to be the most outwardly attacking – possession is the touchstone – the Melbourne City head coach has constructed a group of highly intelligent and cultured footballers who understand their role in the system to the nth degree and what they need to do both tactically and technically to gain the results necessary. That is down to Vidosic and his influence on this squad.
They have that ability that all the best teams have of taking chances when it most matters. Slow and steady wins the race could be a phrase invented to describe Vidosic’s Melbourne City side – and when it comes to winning Finals that is a key mantra.
KRIS GOMAN: Another coach relatively early in their top-level career, Dario Vidosic is someone who has made the transition from successful playing career to a hugely promising coaching one seamlessly. A premiership win and poll position for a Grand Final success in a dramatic end to the season. Can’t really do better than that.
Third Place: Kat Smith
KIERAN YAP: After being mysteriously removed from her post at Western Sydney Wanderers, Kat Smith made a return to coaching with Western United. The former Alamein FC coach returned to Victoria to take charge of the squad while previous manager Mark Torcaso focussed on his role with the Philippines national team.
Smith managed the balancing act of continuing what Torcaso has built while revitalising a team that looked to be struggling in the early rounds and imprinting her own style.
Western United soon looked back to their best, and if not for some poorly timed injuries to Adriano Taranto, Hannah Keane, and Chloe Logarzo they could have challenged for trophies.
Smith made subtle changes. Jaclyn Sawicki played in a slightly more attacking role, as did Aimee Medwin and Stacey Papadopoulos. Western were not as defensively tight as last season, but Grace Maher and Alana Cerne became the first avenues for attack and both defended well with the team playing higher.
Ultimately injuries derailed Western United, but Smith delivered a title charge and some entertaining football. Very few things need to be changed for next season, but Smith will once again alter what needs to be, and it will be no surprise to see Western back in the hunt for silverware in 2024/25.
GENEVIEVE HENRY: Kat Smith left Western Sydney Wanderers at the beginning of the season in a controversial and dramatic fashion. No one could have expected the success she achieved when taking over as head coach part way through the season for Western United. She turned their season around.
BEN GILBY: If ever a coach has personally worked to turn a team’s fortunes around in the A-League Women this season, it is Kat Smith at Western United.
After their sensational debut season in the competition last year that saw a Grand Final appearance, the Victoria side were out to go one better – but a combination of the league knowing all about them now, and head coach Mark Torcaso’s initial job share with the Philippines national side along with injuries to a number of hugely influential players made this a very different looking campaign.
With Torcaso taking the reins with the Philippines on a full-time basis, Kat Smith was offered a role of A-League redemption. After her shock departure from Western Sydney Wanderers virtually on the eve of the season, Smith walked into a Western United side who were in a tough situation themselves.
Smith stamped her vision, knowledge and game plan on her players. This and the return from injuries from some of those key squad members, buoyed by large crowds packing into their first real home stadium towards the end of the campaign saw them finish in the top four – something that looked nigh on impossible for much of 2023/24. Smith deserves huge credit for that achievement regardless of their elimination from Finals at the first hurdle.
KRIS GOMAN: Smith arrived at Western United after being let go from the Wanderers with no explanation but has thrived at her new club taking them to third place in the premiership and making the finals once again. Unfortunately, they were knocked out at the first hurdle, but it was a strong run through the season.
Impetus A-LEAGUE WOMEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ROLL OF HONOUR:
2023/24: Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
2022/23: Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory) and Cyera Hintzen (Perth Glory)
2021/22: Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
Impetus A-LEAGUE WOMEN COACH OF THE YEAR
ROLL OF HONOUR:
2023/24: Emily Husband (Central Coast Mariners)
2022/23: Mark Torcaso (Western United)
2021/22: Alex Epakis (Perth Glory)
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