CLUB-BY-CLUB SEASON REVIEW: WNPL

WNPL: CLUB-BY-CLUB SEASON REVIEW

Snapshot, results, appearances, goals, and discipline for each National Premier League Club in Capital Football for the 2021 season. Jeremy Magan reports with statistics from Russ Gibbs.

BELCONNEN UNITED ……………………………………………………………… 192 CANBERRA CROATIA ……………………………………………………………… 194 CANBERRA OLYMPIC ……………………………………………………………... 196 CANBERRA UNITED ACADEMY ………………………………………………. 198 GUNGAHLIN UNITED ……………………………………………………………… 200 TUGGERANONG UNITED…………………………………………………………. 202 WAGGA CITY WANDERERS ……………………………………………………… 204 WEST CANBERRA WANDERERS ………………………………………………. 206

BELCONNEN UNITED Head Coach: Michael ZAKOSKI Position: 2nd Finals Series: CANCELLED

The Blue Devils came into 2021 with real title ambitions and, with a new coach and arguably the most successful off-season, all changes seem positive. They may have fallen short and end up runners-up for the second year in a row, but the team coached by Michael Zakoski was ramping up for what could have been a thrilling Grand Final. The appointment of Zakoski on the bench and the addition of 2020’s best goalkeeper Cristina Esposito, NSW players Sarah Johnston, Olivia Bomford, the return in form of Talia Backhouse and Keira Bobbin were all winning moves for Belconnen United.

The season started with a bang, a win in the Charity Shield against arch-rivals Canberra Croatia, and until they met the Deakin side again, the team led by Michaela Thornton had scored 22 goals and conceded only two in their first four games. The team mainly played in their usual 4-3-3, albeit with Vanessa Ryan and Leah Carnegie as very offensive minded full back, but Zakoski also experimented with 3-5-2 on a couple of occasions.

The firepower upfront, with the “Killer B’s”, Keira Bobbin (9 goals), Bomford (13) and Backhouse (17) supported by their captain Thornton (11), was undoubtedly the strength of the Blue Devils once again. With Nicole Jalocha and Alexia Forner back from injury, picking the line-up would have been a headache for the Head Coach! Defensively, Belconnen seemed exposed against the better teams. They lost three times against Canberra Croatia, in the Federation Cup semi-finals (0-2) and in the league (1-3, 1-3), yet only conceded eight times in fifteen games otherwise.

The experience needed for the big games arrived half-way through the season, in the form of Tiana Jaber. The W-League player and former Wanderer added composure and physicality to an already performing back-line. The standout this season at McKellar was once again Michaela Thornton. The captain was in amazing form in 2021, adding last minute screamers to an already complete arsenal. Her leadership, character, technique, work rate, and mere presence in the midfield were all keys to the new Blue Devils gelling together.

GOALS

17 Talia BACKHOUSE, 14 Olivia BOMFORD, 11 Michaela THORNTON, 10 Keira BOBBIN, Reilly YUEN, 5 Vanessa RYAN, 4 Leah CARNEGIE, 3 Sarah JOHNSTON, 2 Nicole JALOCHA, Cassia MCGLASHAN, Sam PRICE, Nina ZAREVAC, Own GOALS 1 Karen CLARKE

APPEARANCES

17 Talia BACKHOUSE, Olivia BOMFORD, Leah CARNEGIE, 16 Sarah JOHNSTON, Vanessa RYAN, Michaela THORNTON, 15 Cristina ESPOSITO, 13(1) Isabella TAMMARO, 12(2) Keira BOBBIN, 12(1) Tiana JABER*, 11(4) Reilly YUEN, 9(3) Katie WOODMAN, 8(1) Karen CLARKE, 4(4) Samantha PRICE, 4 Jazmine ZABEL, 3(4) Cassia MCGLASHAN 2(1) Nicole JALOCHA, 1(11) Bianca KIMPTON, 1(5) Maria PACHI, (6) Monique MCGLYNN, (5) Mia GIORGI, (4) Nina ZAVAREC, (1) Sophia DOUMOS, Rhiannon DAVIES, Alexia FORNER

*Jaber 7 for West Canberra Wanderers

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 1 (Jaber) Yellow Cards: 7 (Jaber (4), Johnston (4), Thornton (4), Backhouse (2), Bobbin (1), Clarke (1)) Temporary Dismissals: 0

RESULTS

Charity Shield: Canberra Croatia (a) W 3-1 (Yuen 30’, 60, Bobbin 53’) R1: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 8-1 (Johnston 7’, Backhouse 41’, 90+1’, Bobbin 49’, 52’, Tuksar 63’ (og), Bomford 79’, Jalocha 83’) R2: Canberra United Academy (h) W 7-1 (Bobbin 10’, 15’, 36’, Thornton 25’, 55’, 60’, Bomford 38’) FCQF: ANU WFC (h) W 6-0 (Ryan 30’, Backhouse 32’, Zarevac 77’, 89’, Thornton 83’, Bomford 90’) R3: Canberra Olympic (a) W 5-0 (Jalocha 5’, Backhouse 25’, 62’, Ryan 26’, Thornton 84’) R4: Gungahlin United (a) W 3-0 (Johnston 21’, Bomford 74’, 88’) R5: Canberra Croatia (h) L 1-3 (Bomford 76’) FCSF: Canberra Croatia (a) L 0-2 R6: Tuggeranong United (a) W 6-0 (Clarke 32’, Backhouse 36’, McGlashan 40’, Thornton 51’, 84’, Ryan 73’) R7: West Canberra Wanderers (h) D 1-1 (Backhouse 56’) R8: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 4-0 (Yuen 2’, Bomford 47’, 75’, Backhouse 87’) R9: Canberra United Academy (a) W 2-0 (Yuen 11’, Ryan 49’) R10: Canberra Olympic (h) W 4-2 (Bobbin 5’, 53’, Yuen 9’, Thornton 10’) R11: Gungahlin United (h) W 3-2 (Bomford 21’, Thornton 58’, 90+1’) R12: Canberra Croatia (a) L 1-3 (Backhouse 24’) R13: Tuggeranong United (h) W 9-1 (Yuen 12’, Backhouse 15’, 37’, Carnegie 21’, 28’, 48’, Bomford 52’, Thornton 59’, Hewen 87’ (og)) R14: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 3-0 (Bobbin 30’, 47’, Backhouse 35’) R15: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 12-0 (Bomford 7’, 49’, Backhouse 10’, 13’, 23’, Price 24’, Yuen 27’, 59’, 82’, Carnegie 73’, Ryan 73’, McGlashan 87’) R16: Canberra United Academy (a) W 2-0 (Backhouse 28’, 52’) R17: Canberra Olympic (h) W 6-0 (Price 4’, Yuen 18’, Thornton 45’, Johnston 57’, Bomford 65’, 78’) R18: Gungahlin United (a) – CANCELLED R19: Canberra Croatia (a) – CANCELLED R20: Tuggeranong United (a) – CANCELLED R21: West Canberra Wanderers (h) – CANCELLED

CANBERRA CROATIA Head Coach: Nik BROZINIC Position: 1st Finals Series: CANCELLED

After the perfect season of 2020, there were high expectations for Canberra Croatia, and the players with the chequered outfit lived up to it with one dominating performance after the other. Rising to the top is feat, staying there is much harder, and Grace Gill, Brittany Palombi and co knew that well. There was an ounce of a doubt, seeing the latter starting her goal tally with an injury-time leveller against Canberra United Academy, but from there on, there would only be one more faux-pas, against the Academy again.

The attacking duo shone Palombi earning a second consecutive Golden Boot with an impressive 23 goals in 15 appearances, and now full-time striker Gill followed suit with 14 in 14 games. There was help coming from everywhere, with Fogarty (9) and Jones (6) upfront, but also a prolific midfield, Krista Hagen and Jamie Berkeley scoring 7 apiece. With Bisset, the trio was undoubtedly the best midfield of the competition, from smothering the opposition to consistently offering passing solution for their back four, to venturing in their opponents’ box any chance they got, they were everywhere on the pitch.

Behind them, Ally Hinson gained in maturity between the sticks, Cecilia Matic-Rhiannon Fensom combined enough size, pace and technique to contain any forwards, and Amy McLachlan, when back from injury, offered Brozinic the rare chance, and the headache, to have three potential starters at centre- back. Alice Churchill celebrated her 200th NPLW match with another stellar exercise at left back, and a year after witnessing the coming of age of Lara Agnew, another right back exploded on the capital’s scene, Renée Junna, her rarely matched speed and relentless work rate.

What Nik Brozinic and his troops offered, in both 3-1 wins against Belconnen, in their narrow success against Gungahlin and Olympic but also their more comfortable ones, is an impression of total, and constant, control. No matter the circumstances, a goal could come from anywhere. The Deakin side, crowned in NPLW two years in a row, added the Federation Cup for the first time in their already packed trophy cabinet. Those are the signs of a real dynasty in the inner-South, and living up to it, again, will be the biggest challenge of 2022 for all involved.

GOALS

28 Brittany PALOMBI, 15 Grace GILL, 10 Olivia FOGARTY, 9 Jamie BERKELEY, 7 Krista HAGEN, Chantel JONES, 2 Jennifer BISSET, Sharron CHAO, Rhiannon FENSOM, Cecilija MATIC, Own GOALS, 1 Isabella BARAC, Alice CHURCHILL, Renee JUNNA

APPEARANCES

17 Jennifer BISSET, 15 Brittany PALOMBI, 16(1) Jamie BERKELEY, Alice CHURCHILL, Rhiannon FENSOM, 14(2) Olivia FOGARTY, Krista HAGEN, Cecilija MATIC, 14 Ally HINSON, 13(1) Grace GILL, 12(3) Renee JUNNA, 7(9) Sharron CHAO, 6(8) Lara AGNEW, 4(3) Amy MCLACHLAN, 4(2) Isabella BARAC, 3(11) Chantel JONES

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 7 (Hagen (3), Bisset, Fensom, Jones, Junna) Temporary Dismissals:1 (Jones)

RESULTS

Charity Shield: Belconnen United (h) L 1-3 (Fogarty 64’) R1: Canberra United Academy (h) D 2-2 (Palombi 73’, 90+2’) FCQF: Canberra United Academy (h) W 5-2 (Gill 30’, Palombi 57’, Matic 65’, Berkeley 78’, Chao 81’) R2: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 5-0 (Palombi 7’, Berkeley 38’, Gill 47’, 68’, Jones 75’) R3: Tuggeranong United (a) W 6-0 (Fogarty 15’, Gill 30’, Jones 80’, 90+1’, Bisset 83’, Junna 90+2’) R4: Canberra Olympic (h) W 7-2 (Fogarty 19’, 51’ (p), Palombi 27’, 37’, 39’ (p), 89’, Hagen 76’) R5: Belconnen United (a) W 3-1 (Palombi 3’, Gill 30’, Fogarty 81’) FCSF: Belconnen United (h) W 2-0 (Berkley 65’, Palombi 78’) R6: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 6-0 (Palombi 14’, 86’, Barac 52’, Jones 74’, Hagen 76’, Bisset 82’) R7: Gungahlin United (h) W 2-1 (Palombi 28’, Jones 82’) R8: Canberra United Academy (a) L 1-3 (Palombi 65’ (p)) FCF: West Canberra Wanderers (n) W 4-1 (Palombi 6’, 78’, 90’, Jones 87’) R9: West Canberra Wanderers (h) W 4-1 (Berkeley 19’, Gill 45’, 56’ (p), Jones 63’) R10: Tuggeranong United (h) W 12- 1 (Palombi 5’, 67’, Fogarty 19’, 23’ 44’, Fensom 27’, 38’, Matic 31’, Berkeley 68’, 71’, R. Daisley 72’ (og), Hagen 89’) R11: Canberra Olympic (a) W 1-0 (Palombi 45’) R12: Belconnen United (h) W 3-1 (Hagen 5’, Gill 23’, 38’) R13: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 8-0 (Palombi 11’, 23’, 41’, 43’, 58’, Chao 56’, Berkeley 62’, Fogarty 65’) R14: Gungahlin United (a) – Match Postponed R15: Canberra United Academy (h) W 4-0 (Gill 21’, 37’, Nikias 26’ (og), Hagen 83’) R14: Gungahlin United (a) W 3-2 (Berkeley 60’, Palombi 72’, Gill 87’) R16: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 4-0 (Churchill 6’, Palombi 28’, Berkeley 72’, Gill 90+3’) R17: Tuggeranong United (a) W 6-0 (Palombi 41’, Gill 70’, 72’, Hagen 75’, 85’, Fogarty 79’) R18: Canberra Olympic (a) – CANCELLED R19: Belconnen United (h) – CANCELLED R20: Wagga City Wanderers (a) – CANCELLED R21: Gungahlin United (h) – CANCELLED

CANBERRA OLYMPIC Head Coach: Nicole BEGG Position: 5th Finals Series: CANCELLED

The season at O’Connor was a successful one, given the circumstances. Nicole Begg, taking over as Head Coach not long before the season commenced brought new tactics, tons of goals and two Julie Dolan winners to the competition. In the midst of all the 4-3-3 line-ups around the fields in the Capital, the 3-5-2 setup by Begg at Canberra Olympic was a breath of fresh air, and an opportunity for everyone to rethink their tactics.

The back three, formed by Brittany Fiorese, Courtney Halse and Alexandra Cook displayed a great understanding of the formation early on, and a real ability to keep possession of the ball and build up from the back. Cook, of course, sprinkled her magic from set pieces for good measure, recording nine goals in 2021, with a couple of stunning free kicks. The signings of Rachael Hardwicke, Anna Vandenbroucke, but also Heather Garriock, added a layer of experience necessary for a team that had essentially lost their leader and playmaker in the off-season, now giving orders from the bench.

Canberra Olympic scored 43 goals this season in NPLW, and almost half of them expectedly came from one of the best forwards in Australian football, Ashleigh Sykes. The striker was her twin sister’s best asset, her speed, clinical finishing, and instant chemistry with Hardwicke, Vandenbroucke and Garriock offered the O’Connor side many goals. Nicole Begg’s team was involved in some of the most entertaining games of 2021. Thrillers against the Academy (4-4, 2-3) and Gungahlin (3-2, 4-5) were all decided on the wire.

The resilience shown by the Blues was second to none, even if their inexperience/lack of focus on some key moments cost them points. Canberra Olympic stayed in the race for the Finals all season in 2021. Nicole Begg can be commended for her first gig on a NPLW bench, building a solid side despite a team mainly renewed. The key to a better result in 2022 surely lies in conceding less. With 42 goals against, Olympic were the third worst defence in the league.

GOALS

21 Ashleigh SYKES, 9 Alexandra COOK, 7 Anna VANDENBROUCKE, 2 Rachael HARDWICKE, 1 Anna BENENTT, Heather GARRIOCK, Courtney HALSE, Own GOALS

APPEARANCES

17 Sienna FARRER, Ashleigh SYKES, 16(1) Alexandra COOK, Aurelia HAYNES, 16 Victoria JAMIESON, 14(3) Brittany FIORESE, 14(1) Rachael HARDWICKE, 13(1) Courtney HALSE, 11(2) Anna VANDENBROUCKE, 11(1) Lara BURDETT, 9(2) Tianah MIRO*, 6(4) Jordan UJDUR**, 6(3) Lucy D’ARCY, 6(2) Heather GARRICOK, 5(5) Anna BENNETT, 4(3) Iesha DE ANDRADE, 3(7) Jemima MILLER-CARTON, 2(3) Ella HEMMINGS, 1(5) Tarah MANTHONGSY, 1(2) Ellie SUMMERS, (11) Emma CROKER, (3) Audrey MCLAREN, (2) Gaby JORDAN, (1) Olivia FARRELL, Zoe SZEREMET, Isabella WALLACE

*Miro 1 for Gungahlin United, ** Ujdur 3(2) for Canberra Croatia

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 7 (Cook (2), Bennett, Burdett, Garriock, Jamieson, Vandenbroucke) Temporary Dismissals: 0

RESULTS

R1: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 2-1 (Vandenbroucke 15’, Sykes 90’) R2: Gungahlin United (h) L 1-3 (Sykes 21’) FCQF: Gungahlin United (a) L 0-3 R3: Belconnen United (h) L 0-5 R4: Canberra Croatia (a) L 2-7 (Cook 19’, Sykes 79’) R5: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 6-0 (Sykes 11’, 21’, 24’, 56’, Cook 69’ (p), Bennett 75’) R6: Canberra United Academy (h) D 4-4 (Hardwicke 39’, Sykes 50’, Cook 78’, 86’) R7: Tuggeranong United (a) W 4-0 (Cook 7’ (p), 33’ (p), Sykes 49’, Garriock 90+2’) R8: West Canberra Wanderers (h) W 1-0 (Sykes 56’) R9: Gungahlin United (a) W 3-2 (Vandenbroucke 23’, Sykes 27’, Halse 80’) R10: Belconnen United (a) L 2-4 (Cook 41’, Sykes 64’) R11: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-1 R12: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 6-0 (Sykes 4’, 56’, Hardwicke 49’, Vandenbroucke 29’, Cook 70’ (p), Cary 87’ (og)) R13: Canberra United Academy (a)L 2-3 (Vandenbroucke 58’, Sykes 64’) R14: Tuggeranong United (h) W 4-0 (Vandenbroucke 12’, 40’, 87’, Sykes 51’) R15: West Canberra Wanderers (a) W 2-1 (Sykes 10’, 20’) R16: Gungahlin United (h) L 4-5 (Sykes 17’, 23’, 25’, Cook 60’) R17: Belconnen United (a) L 0-6 R18: Canberra Croatia (h) – CANCELLED R19: Wagga City Wanderers (h) – CANCELLED R20: Canberra United Academy (a) – CANCELLED R21: Tuggeranong United (h) – CANCELLED

CANBERRA UNITED ACADEMY Head Coach: Vicki LINTON Position: 4th Finals Series: CANCELLED

The Academy started 2021 with an ‘experienced young’ squad, as besides Hayley Taylor-Young and Isobel Davy, most 2020 players were back for another round. The impact of Vicki Linton for her first season on the Academy’s bench, after leading Canberra United to the WLeague semi-finals, cannot be understated. The focus of Canberra United Academy is always player development and preparing them for the next step. They were lining up, like their elders, in a 4-3-3 with focus on ball possession and alternating full pitch and half pitch press.

If Jayla Murphy started the season in goal, the signing and the rise of goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln was one of the stories on 2021. She frustrated, almost on her own, the Canberra Croatia firepower in Round 2, a game that ended in a 3-1 win for her side. Quality was also found throughout the park, as expected for the Academy. The right wing powered by Nadia Zakman and Nikita Perry can be commended. Their tireless work and chemistry allowed the latter to score four goals this season and established the former as one of the toughest full backs in the competition.

Hard work was also the keyword upfront, with Anna Hunt and Sofia Christopherson confirming their ability in front of goal (8 and 11 respectively) while being constant threats for defences. The success of the program can be seen this season through the Grove sisters, with Sasha getting some W-League experience during the summer and adapting to her playmaker role in NPLW, while Annie being a rock in defence before leaving midway through the season for the University of Baltimore to play US College Football.

The presence of the W-League coach was undoubtedly another motivation for the young players, who only twice conceded the defeat with more than two goals difference proof, if need be, that they always fought to the final whistle. Of course, we have also seen our fair share of new talent coming through the ranks. Eliza-Jane Norris, Bessie Reithmuller and Stephanie Nikias some of the pleasant surprises of 2021. There are bright days ahead for the Academy who caused a few upsets this season, despite a couple of players “graduating”.

GOALS

13 Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, 7 Anna HUNT, 5 Sasha GROVE, 4 Nikita PERRY, 2 Latisha BABIC, Bessie REITHMULLER, Meg RODEN, 1 Annie GROVE, Alyse JENSEN, Eliza-Jane NORRIS, Nadia ZAKMAN, Own GOALS

APPEARANCES

17 Alyse JENSEN, 16(1) Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, Tayla HAMPSON, Nadia ZAKMAN, 15(1) Stephanie NIKIAS, 15 Nikita PERRY, 14(2) Meg RODEN, 13(1) Sasha GROVE, 13 Chloe LINCOLN, 11(1) Annie GROVE, 10(2) Anna HUNT, 8(6) Latisha BABIC, 6(2) Eliza-Jane NORRIS, 4(1) Jayla MURPHY, 2(8) Bessie REITHMULLER, 2(2) Jaya BOWMAN, 2(1) Alicia BAMFORTH, Maia CAMERON, (2) Isabella HINDMARSH, Riley MCQUEENIE, Maya OSMOND, (1) Daisy CANAVAN, Luella COLEMAN

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 6 (Nikias (2), Christopherson, A. Grove, Hampson, Hunt) Temporary Dismissals: 0

RESULTS

R1: Canberra Croatia (a) D 2-2 (Hunt 26, 82’ (p)) FC2: Canberra Croatia (a) L 2-5 (Christopherson 45’, 82’) R2: Belconnen United (a) L 1-7 (Christopherson 43’) R3: West Canberra Wanderers (h) W 2-1 (Hunt 30’, Perry 67’) R4: Tuggeranong United (h) W 2-0 (Christopherson 13’, Hunt 20’) R5: Gungahlin United (h) W 3-2 (Perceval (og) 39’, Christopherson 73’, Jensen 87’) R6: Canberra Olympic (a) D 4-4 (Hunt 7’, Christopherson 45+1’, 62’, 84’) R7: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 6-2 (Roden (2), Hunt, Christopherson, A. Grove, S. Grove) R8: Canberra Croatia (h) W 3-1 (Babic 3’, S. Grove 29’, Zakman 55’) R9: Belconnen United (h) L 0-2 R10: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 0-1 R11: Tuggeranong United (a) D 1-1 (S. Grove 82’) R12: Gungahlin United (a) L 2-3 (Christopherson 9’, Perry 56’) R13: Canberra Olympic (h) W 3-2 (S. Grove 9’, Hunt 26’, Perry 28’) R14: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 6-0 (Reithmuller 11’, 29, Perry 13’, Christopherson 46’, 58’, S. Grove 62’) R15: Canberra Croatia (a) L 0-4 R16: Belconnen United (h) L 0-2 R17: West Canberra Wanderers (h) W 3-2 (Norris 27’, Christopherson 80’, Babic 90’) R18: Tuggeranong United (h) – CANCELLED R19: Gungahlin United (a) – CANCELLED R20: Canberra Olympic (h) – CANCELLED R21: Wagga City Wanderers (a) – CANCELLED

GUNGAHLIN UNITED Head Coach: Diego IGLESIAS Position: 3rd Finals Series: CANCELLED

Ultimately 2021 mat be seen as a disappointment for Gungahlin United because, undoubtedly, there is brilliance in this squad, even if they found themselves on the wrong side of tight games too many times. But it could be that their third spot in the end might just be the luck of the calendar, Gungahlin being the only outfit in the top six to have faced the bottom two teams three times each.

Diego Iglesias’ team started with three convincing wins, eleven goals for and only one against. The usual 4-3-3 was in place, and the only change in the squad was Natalie De Marco basically replacing Tianah Miro. Yet from week four onwards, the lush and silkysmooth possession and passing football played by Gungahlin yesteryear was only seen in bursts. Most games were a real 90-minute battle and nine of them were decided by a single goal. Kayley Tonini and co unfortunately only won two of these entertaining matchups, and six times the game was lost in the last ten minutes, an area Gungahlin can improve in.

Any lack of focus or mistake proved costly, and it tainted an otherwise solid season by the defence, led by captain Maddie Perceval. The full backs Brigitte Sander and Courtney McCann also impressed by their pace and combativity. In the midfield Natalie de Marco brought even more technique and goal-scoring ability, and the chemistry with her sister Stella to get out of small pockets of space was obvious. Erika Pennyfield’s experience was key, the midfielder/winger scoring eight times and weighing in with a few assists as well.

The Gunners realized the coup of the season with the signing of W-League all-time leading goal scorer Michelle Heyman, and her influence on Gungahlin’s could not be understated. The Canberra United’s number 23 scored half-a-dozen goals in as many games and brought a new dynamic in the team. Gungahlin ended the season on another series of three consecutive wins and was about to show how much the team had improved against Belconnen when the season was interrupted.

GOALS

12 Jade BROWN, 8 Erika PENNYFIELD, 6 Nat DE MARCO, Michelle HEYMAN, 5 Ella-Rose BROWN, Madeleine PERCEVAL, 4 Elke AITOLU, 3 Stella DE MARCO, Ayla ROBERTSON, 1 Rachel CORBETT, Steffi LEJINS, Brigitte SANDER

APPEARANCES

17 Stella DE MARCO, Maddie PERCEVAL, Kailey TONINI, 16(1) Steffi LEJINS, 15(2) Erika PENNYFIELD, 14(3) Ella BROWN, Jade BROWN, 14(2) Natalie DE MARCO, 12(2) Brigitte SANDER, 12 Ruby GAMBALE, 10(4) Elke AITOLU, Courtney MCCANN, 8 Rachel CORBETT, 5(7) Ayla ROBERTSON, 5(1) Michelle HEYMAN, (4) Emily DAVIDSON, (2) Marija RATHOUSKI, Anna WILKINSON, (1) Cameron JACKSON, Jade LAMOND

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 2 (J. Brown, Corbett) Temporary Dismissals: 1 (E. Brown)

RESULTS

R1: Tuggeranong United (h) W 4-0 (J. Brown 10’, 63’, Corbett 30, Perceval 75’) R2: Canberra Olympic (a) W 3-1 (Pennyfield 42’, 68’, E. Brown 87’) FCQF: Canberra Olympic (a) 3-0 W 3-0 (Perceval 5’, E. Brown 23’, J. Brown 71’) R3: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 4-0 (J. Brown 5’, S. De Marco 23’, 39’, Pennyfield 57’) R4: Belconnen United (h) L 0-3 R5: Canberra United Academy (a) L 2-3 (Lejins 11’, J. Brown 46’) FCSF: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 1-2 (Aitolu 62’) – aet R6: West Canberra Wanderers (h) L 0-1 R7: Canberra Croatia (a) L 1-2 (N. De Marco 40’) R8: Tuggeranong United (a) W 4-1 (Aitolu 12’ (p), Pennyfield 23’, Sander 62’, S. De Marco 71’) R9: Canberra Olympic (h) L 2-3 (Perceval 73’, E. Brown 86’) R10: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 4-0 (J. Brown 14’ (p), 30’, Perceval 27’, Heyman 85’) R11: Belconnen United (a) L 2-3 (Heyman 9’, 86’) R12: Canberra United Academy (h) W 3-2 (Pennyfield 17’, N. De Marco 36’, 61’) R13: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 1-2 (J. Brown 75’) R14: Canberra Croatia (h) – Match Postponed R15: Tuggeranong United (h) W 8-0 (J. Brown 2’, Robertson 7’, 22’, Aitolu 28’, 59’ (p), Perceval 69’, Heyman 78’, E. Brown 88’) R14: Canberra Croatia (h) L 2-3 (E. Brown 18’, Heyman 81’) R16: Canberra Olympic (a) W 5-4 (N. De Marco 2’, Robertson 5’, Heyman 36’, J. Brown 57’ (p), 83’) R17: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 6-0 (N. De Marco 11’, 26’, J. Brown 12’, Pennyfield 36’, 43’, 57’) R18: Belconnen United (h) – CANCELLED R19: Canberra United Academy (h) – CANCELLED R20: West Canberra Wanderers (a) – CANCELLED R21: Canberra Croatia (a) – CANCELLED

TUGGERANONG UNITED Head Coach: Michael ALDRED / Stan MITCHELL / Paulo ROMERO Position: 8th Finals Series: CANCELLED

The team based in Kambah was always going to have a challenging year when Michael Aldred announced he would not be able to look after the women’s program in 2021, a few weeks before the season kicked off. President Stan Mitchell stepped up and sat on the bench until a new head honcho was named. By the time Paulo Romero took over, we had already seen what Tuggeranong was going to bring to the league this season.

This group, revigorated by some key off-season signings like Sophie Rolfe, Ashley-Lea Condon, and Zoe Terry, had spirit, and was going to stand back up every time, no matter the setbacks and defeats. They held their own for the best part of 80 minutes again Canberra Croatia early on but were too tender offensively. This would be the pattern: a solid, dense defence, a lack of bite on counter attacks, and eventually a flurry of goals conceded in the last quarter of the match. Romero, coming in, favoured a 4-3-3, or 4-2-3-1, with full backs and wingers out wide. The team used their speed on the width, especially Terry’s, to bring the danger in the opponents’ box.

Upfront, although often isolated, Maddie Magee, Kenzie Osfield or Melinda Reavell fought relentlessly. Tuggeranong’s density from the middle of the park down to their defence proved to be an issue for most teams. Jacqueline Freeman, Rhiannon Daisley, Steph Coates in the middle, and Condon and Lara Mustaine in centre-backs brought their intensity and aggressivity during the whole 90 minutes, every week. The one position where talent has been the most impressive for Tuggies is between the posts. Sophie Rolfe was often inspired, her replacement Jessica Abbott had a couple of stellar performances, and forward-turnedkeeper Sophie Bui was more than capable as a filler.

Tuggeranong, despite a heart-breaking series of 15 winless games, showcased a lot of talents and resilience in 2021. Their victory at AIS against Wagga City on Matchday 16 was overdue after some convincing performance against the Academy and West Canberra and was a sign of great things to come. With Paulo Romero still at the helm in 2022, the Tuggies intend to leave the wooden spoon behind them. The key for the team of South Canberra will surely be their ability to get on the scoreboard more consistently.

GOALS

3 Madeleine MAGEE, 2 Sophie BUI, Zoe TERRY, 1 Sarah DAISLEY

APPEARANCES

17 Rhiannon DAISLEY, 16 Jacquelyn FREEMAN, 15 Lara MUSTAINE, 14 Sarah DAISLEY, Zoe TERRY, 15 Ashley CONDON, 13 Madeleine MAGEE, 12 Alyssa BOZINOVSKA, 11(4) Zoe WILLIAMS, 11 Stephanie COATES, 10 Sophie ROLFE, 9 Sophie BUI, 8(5) Kenzie OSFIELD, 8(3) Katelyn HEWEN, 4 Kassandra GUIGLIEMAN, Amy WIGGAN, 2(8) Cara CERRUTI, 2(4) Melinda REAVELL, 2 Jess ABBOTT, (10) Claire FALLS, (2) Mackenzie ALCOCK, Olivia SAUL, (1) Zoe BARLING, Taylah BORDIUK, Chloe DAISLEY

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 1 (Bozinovska) Temporary Dismissals: 0

RESULTS

R1: Gungahlin United (a) L 0-4 R2: Wagga City Wanderers (h) L 1-5 (Terry 86’) FCQF: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 0-3 R3: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-6 R4: Canberra United Academy (a) L 0-2 R5: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 0-6 R6: Belconnen United (h) L 0-6 R7: Canberra Olympic (h) L 0-4 R8: Gungahlin United (h) L 1-4 (Magee 6’) R9: Wagga City Wanderers (a) L 0-3 R10: Canberra Croatia (a) L 1-12 (Terry 66’) R11: Canberra United Academy (h) D 1-1 (Magee 76’) R12: West Canberra Wanderers (h) L 1-2 (Magee 2’) R13: Belconnen United (a) L 1-9 (S. Daisley 62’) R14: Canberra Olympic (a) L 0-4 R15: Gungahlin United (a) L 0-8 R16: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 2-0 (Bui 45+10’, 51’) R17: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-6 R18: Canberra United Academy (a) – CANCELLED R19: West Canberra Wanderers (a) – CANCELLED R20: Belconnen United (h) – CANCELLED R21: Canberra Olympic (a) – CANCELLED

WAGGA CITY WANDERERS Head Coach: Sam GRAY Position: 7th Finals Series: CANCELLED

It could look like a season to forget for the Wanderers, between the injuries piling up and the inability to get results against most teams. Yet, we have seen the emergence of new talents in the Riverina, as well as the confirmation that the Wagga youth is on the rise. Sam Gray had to be creative with his line-ups and tactics this season, with only six players able to take part in 15 games or more, and altogether 33 different girls involved in at least one NPLW game.

The immutable high line of 2020 was left behind, for a more flexible, but also denser setup defensively. Offensively, possession football was favoured, and offered the Riverina squad enough opportunities to rival with their opponent, but the lack of solution in the forward line proved costly. Megan Castle equalled her 2020 tally with six goals, Christina GrauerKompos helped with four, but Kirilee Cameron was the only other Wanderers able to put her name on the scoresheet, twice. That’s not enough to hope for a better spot on the ladder.

Samantha Emms was as decisive as ever between the sticks despite leading the worst defence of 2021 (83 goals conceded) and was rewarded by a call-up with the Young Matildas in June. Two other Wanderers were selected, Ava Tuksar and Piper Lockley. The former, a rock in the back line, was sorely missed when her season was cut short by a knee injury. The latter, although only present for a dozen games, displayed her playmaking abilities once again: sound technique, accurate passing, good reading of the play, she confirmed what everyone thought about her already. The pleasant surprises of 2021 in Wagga were Bronte Buik and Kirilee Cameron. The pair brought their intensity both on and off the ball and show are a testimony to the talent present in the Riverina.

Sam Gray and his team were only able to beat Tuggeranong this season, twice, but much like the team from South Canberra, offered solid resistance against the top 6, conceding mostly towards the end of the 90. The Wanderers are a young squad who has been accumulating experience this past 2 seasons. Hopefully spared by injuries, they should see better results in 2022.

GOALS

6 Megan CASTLE, 3 Kristina GRAUER-KOMPOS, 2 Kirilee CAMERON

APPEARANCES

17 Megan CASTLE, 16 Sammy EMMS, Christina GRAUER-KOMPOS, 15(2) Hannah STEVENS, 15(1) Bronte BUIK, 15 Susan WAIA, 14(1) Sophie CARY, 12 Piper LOCKLEY-HINSCHEN, 11 Kirilee CAMERON, Ava TUKSAR, 10(2) Ash HOLDER, 7 Bree LYONS, Brandy NICHOLSON, 6(4) Abby NOLAN-HODGES, 5(4) Rennae SILLETT, 3(9) Kimberley MORGAN, 2(3) Elvein IBRAHIM, 1(3) Tootsie LAMB, 1(1) Amanda ARMSTRONG, 1 Madalyn EMMS, Ebony WARNER-CHILSTONE, (3) Ashley GARRETT, Zoe JENKINS, Casey SMITH, Mollu SURIAN, Abby WOOD, Jenny WOODBURY, (2) Bonny MCKEAN, Jorja PINNEY, (1) Tia LYONS, Piper SCOTT

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 0 Yellow Cards: 4 (Holder, Pinney, Tuksar, Waia) Temporary Dismissals: 1 (Grauer-Kompos)

RESULTS

R1: Belconnen United (a) L 1-8 (Castle 30’ (p)) R2: Tuggeranong United (a) W 5-1 (Grauer-Kompos 48’, 80’, Castle 56’ (p), 67’, Cameron 75’) R3: Gungahlin United (h) L 0-4 R4: West Canberra Wanderers (a) L 1-4 (Castle 51’) R5: Canberra Olympic (h) L 0-6 R6: Canberra Croatia (a) L 0-6 R7: Canberra United Academy (h) L 2-6 (Cameron, Castle (p)) R8: Belconnen United (h) L 0-4 R9: Tuggeranong United (h) W 3-0 (Castle 18’, Grauer-Kompos 42’, 77’) R10: Gungahlin United (a) L 0-4 R11: West Canberra Wanderers (h) L 0-1 R12: Canberra Olympic (a) L 0-6 R13: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-8 R14: Canberra United Academy (a) L 0-6 R15: Belconnen United (a) L 0-12 R16: Tuggeranong United (a) L 0-2 R17: Gungahlin United (h) L 0-6 R18: West Canberra Wanderers (h) – CANCELLED R19: Canberra Olympic (a) – CANCELLED R20: Canberra Croatia (h) – CANCELLED R21: Canberra United Academy (h) – CANCELLED

WEST CANBERRA WANDERERS Head Coach: Emma STANBURY / REY CASTRO Position: 6th Finals Series: CANCELLED

What didn’t happen at West Canberra this season? A new name, a new player-coach, an epic journey to the Federation Cup Final, a change of coach, a busy transfer window... and some very good results along the way! In the first part of the season, the team led by Emma Stanbury, once it found its groove, impressed with their defensive solidity and their ability to make the best of their momentums.

New signings Tiana Jaber, Sofia Chaverra and the returning Alex McKenzie added the spark to an already solid squad, with Sarah Whitfield and Briana Maguire as crucial as ever for the Wanderers. Jaber, a W-League full-back with the Newcastle Jets, brought as much defensively as she did offensively, racking up a few assists. McKenzie and Maguire dynamited the midfield with their pace and aggression, and Chaverra showcased an acute sense of goal, topping her team’s stat sheet with ten goals in all competitions.

The highlight of the season on the field surely must be Janet King between the posts. In her sophomore year with the gloves on, King’s solidity on her line, ability to anticipate and impressive clearances were key to West Canberra’s successes. The actors changed after the Federation Cup final loss. Exit Emma Stanbury and Tiana Jaber (gone to Belconnen), Rey Castro took over and Tara Cannon was brought in from Canberra United Academy.

Despite the changes, the Wanderers kept that same intensity and recorded a series of 4 undefeated games, before showing signs of fatigue in the last few matches. A draw with the Blue Devils, a brace of wins against the Gunners and of course, reaching the Federation Cup Final, despite a loss to Canberra Croatia, are all performances West Canberra can be proud of. This season brought West Canberra back into the Finals conversation after an off year in 2020. The talent in the team, with the right guidance, is a great base to build on for a successful exercise in 2022.

GOALS

10 Sofia CHAVERRA, 4 Kilkie LETEN, 3 Elizabeth EDWARDS, Alex MCKENZIE, Samantha SAVANHU, 2 Brianna MAGUIRE Emma STANBURY, 1, Karen MILEWSKA, Melinda O’CALLAGHAN, Sarah WHITFIELD

APPEARANCES

17 Janet KING, 16 Brianna MAGUIRE, 14(2) Demi NIKIAS, 14 Alex MCKENZIE, 12(3) Sofia CHAVERRA, 12(1) Sarah WHITFIELD, 11(5) Tara CANNON, 11(3) Melinda O’CALLAGHAN, 10(1) Olivia NOLAN, 9(5) Ellen BROWN, 8(5) Emma GUO, 8(1) Emma STANBURY, 7(3) Maya BINNS, 6(2) Kilkie LETEN, 4(9) Elizabeth EDWARDS, 4(6) Samantha BRIGGS, 4(2) Hannah COPPELL, Isobel D’AMICO, 3(7) Samantha SAVANHU, 3(2) Hattie CRAM, 3(1) Isabella STONE, 2(2) Karen MILEWSKA, 1(3) Ashleigh CLARKE, 1(1) Julia STANTON, 1 Emily JENSEN, (1) Emma ALFONSO, Olivia CASTLE, Jess POYSER

*Cannon 5(5) for Canberra United Academy

DISCIPLINE (WNPL ONLY)

Red Cards: 1 (Coppell) Yellow Cards: 3 (Stanbury (2), Nikias, McKenzie) Temporary Dismissals: 1 (Stanbury)

RESULTS

R1: Canberra Olympic (h) L 1-2 (Leten 52’) R2: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-5 FCQF: Tuggeranong United (h) W 3-0 (Milewska 8’, Chaverra 11’, McKenzie 87’) R3: Canberra United Academy (a) L 1-2 (Leten 10’) R4: Wagga City Wanderers (h) W 4-1 (Chaverra 18’, Maguire 23’, Edwards 54’, Leten 90+3’) R5: Tuggeranong United (h) W 6-0 (McKenzie 35’, Maguire 39’, Chaverra 47’, Stanbury 49’, Leten 51’, Edwards 82’) FCSF: Gungahlin United (h) W 2-1 (Chaverra 39’, Savanhu 118’) – aet R6: Gungahlin United (a) W 1-0 (Edwards 87’) R7: Belconnen United (a) D 1-1 (Stanbury 42’ (p)) R8: Canberra Olympic (a) L 0-1 FCF: Canberra Croatia (n) L 1-4 (Chaverra 24’) R9: Canberra Croatia (a) L 1-4 (Savanhu 67’) R10: Canberra United Academy (h) W 1-0 (Savanhu 72’) R11: Wagga City Wanderers (a) W 1-0 (O’Callaghan 35’) R12: Tuggeranong United (a) W 2-1 (Whitfield 75’, McKenzie 82’) R13: Gungahlin United (h) W 2-1 (Chaverra 20’, 43’) R14: Belconnen United (h) L 0-3 R15: Canberra Olympic (h) L 1-2 (Chaverra 54’) R16: Canberra Croatia (h) L 0-4 R17: Canberra United Academy (a) L 2-3 (Chaverra 37’, 55’) R18: Wagga City Wanderers (a) – CANCELLED R19: Tuggeranong United (h) – CANCELLED R20: Gungahlin United (h) – CANCELLED R21: Belconnen United (a) – CANCELLED