Westfield W-League: 2011/12 Sack Wrap

A very enjoyable season was had by the players and spectators alike this season in the 2011/12 Westfield W-League. As with the Hyundai A-League, the standard of play is increasing and this year it was at its highest ever for the girls. The Grand Final was a fine example and a befitting finale’ for what was an amazing season.



Canberra United

With the injection of the A-Licensed Czech coach Jitka Klimkova, Canberra has finally realised the dreams of their dedicated supporters and did it in style by not losing a single game during the regular season and finals series. This has never been achieved before by any other W-League team.

Certainly the form team of the season, 2011/12 saw the Canberra girls improve their penetration up front which has being lacking in years past. But an attack is only as good as the defence it is built upon and this facet Canberra has in bucket loads.

My only concern was their lack of depth when it came to real talent in the upper midfield but overall this did not affect them too badly.

United’s best; Lydia Williams, Caitlin Cooper, Ellie Brush, Sally Shipard, Michelle Heyman, Taryn Hemmings


Brisbane Roar

As predicted mid-season, you couldn’t discount the Roar girls. With losses of key personnel, the first half of the season saw Brisbane struggling a little but they regained form and came good in the latter part of the short W-League season.

With their fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance, albeit in controversial circumstances in the semi-final, their determination and never give-up attitude was show-cased in the most important part of the season.

Roar’s best; Emily Gielnik, Aivi Luik, Tameka Butt, Vedrana Popovic, Clare Polkinghorne, Casey Dumont.


Sydney FC

A disappointing result for Sydney as the girls came third on the table and missed the Grand Final.

A team absolutely brimming with talent but injuries prevented them from truly putting their best team on the park each week. The US international Megan Rapinoe played the first two matches with Sydney and was an absolute delight to watch. Even her own teammates were never sure what she was going to do next!

A loss to Newcastle near the season’s end signalled their demise.

Sydney’s best; Teresa Polias, Servet Uzunlar, Kylie Ledbrooke, Leena Khamis, Thea Slatyer.


Melbourne Victory

They were the young team that impressed all year with their disciple and consistency.

Under the eye of the only other female A-Licensed coach Vicki Linton, this team stretched the far more fancied top three teams, eventually losing a very respectable 1-0 in their semi-final to the hot Canberra outfit.

The team played the best ‘playing out from the back’ of all the W-League teams this season.
Victory’s best; Kendall Fletcher, Katrina Gorry, Jodie Taylor, Stephanie Catley, Rebekah Stott.


Newcastle Jets

Once again, very disappointing this year. With a wealth of new blood in the team the girls never really looked like they blended.

Appointing a young male coach with a playing history unfortunately does not guarantee good results. In fact I believe it is the wrong strategy for appointing coaches for female teams (You also see this at lower level football – with inexperienced male players given the reins of female sides only to see them crash and burn – which is not good for the coach nor the players)

Jet’s best; Emily Van Egmond, Gemma Simon, Stacey Day.


Perth Glory

No surprises here as things didn’t look so glorious for the girls from the West.

Perth lost a lot of players from last year and again, was not coached well by a young male coach with a playing history. A big melt-down with a player bust-up mid season didn’t help their cause.

Glory’s best; Elisa D’Ovidio, Mackenzie Arnold, Tanya Oxtoby, Ella Mastrantonio.


Adelaide United

Although finishing last the girls had a new experienced coach who helped form their new and improved playing style and broke the drought, winning a game this year.

Losing a lot of players from last season (many who have performed exceptionally well in other teams this season), Adelaide have been coached well by Dave Edmondson.

After playing some competitive games this season, if they can build on their recent ‘success’ with some signings for 2012/13, maybe they can build upon this new consistency.

Lady Red’s best; Marijana Rajcic , Rachael Quigley, Donna Cockayne


I hope you enjoyed the W-League coverage and reports from ‘The Sack’ this year. A big thanks goes to all our reporters and especially so to our player contributors, Sydney FC’s Thea Slatyer and Melbourne Victory’s Jodie Taylor. It is always great to be getting firsthand knowledge and great stories from the people who are actually “there and doing it.”

There may not be the big money on offer in the women’s game like the boys but one thing it can offer the girls is opportunities to travel so expect to hear news and stories of our girls playing in various competitions around the world during the off-season.


The Football Sack and the entire footballing community wishes them all well and we’re sure they will make us and their families proud.

All the best and stay healthy, 'til next year...

Cheers,

Chris Layland