Midseason report: Westfield Matildas at home

At the halfway point of a season like no other, the Westfield Matildas plying their trade on home soil have been impressing fans and pundits alike.

Between interruptions and injuries, there have been spectacular goals, magnificent saves, and enormous tackles.

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At the base of Melbourne City’s defence has been Teagan Micah. After an injury-shortened but nonetheless impressive season in Norway, Micah has continued producing the big saves here in the Westfield W-League.

With two saves of the week under her belt and a league high 31 saves to her name, Micah has been solid for the reigning champions.


In front of her at any given time has been Jenna McCormick. The central defender has been leading from the back, marshalling both experienced heads and younger team mates alike.  

Jenna McCormick Michelle Heyman


However, McCormick’s season has been interrupted due to concussion. But when she is fit and firing, she is an indispensable part of the City defence with 25 clearances to her name.

The Westfield Matildas contingent in Brisbane have been purring along nicely. Clare Polkinghorne has been a rock in defence and has popped up with a couple of goals as well. Alongside Kim Carroll in the heart of defence, the pair have contributed to Roar’s stingy start to the season – with only six goals conceded.

[MORE: Captain Clare Polkinghorne's heartwarming Katrina Gorry tribute]

[READ: Westfield Matildas at Home: a brace of Brisbane wins bolsters title hopes]

This in turn has played a big role in their unbeaten start to the season. Polkinghorne’s football brain and excellent positioning have been on display again and the veteran defender is on track to make her 150th Westfield W-League appearance. She will become only the second player to reach the milestone after Teresa Polias.

While Katrina Gorry’s official season has been short, the midfielder still managed to pack a punch with an exceptional goal against Canberra in round three. Gorry is now focusing all her attention on her next big adventure, while still contributing to this Brisbane side off the field.

[READ: Katrina Gorry's baby news: "I was actually in quarantine at the time."] 

[WATCH: Katrina Gorry: I always wanted to be a mother]

In the midfield, Tameka Yallop has been outstanding for the team in orange. With two goals – one a goal of the week – to her name, Yallop has been crucial in the Brisbane midfield.

Floating between the lines, doing the grunt work, and offering an attacking option have always been trademarks of her game and this season has been no exception.


Those national team connections have also been bearing fruit for the Roar, most notably in the form of Yallop and Emily Gielnik. The latter’s return to the Westfield W-League took a little while to get going. But once she found the back of the net, she and the Roar have become unstoppable.

[WATCH: Westfield Matildas React - Australia v China Edition]

The Westfield Matildas winger currently sits joint first in the golden boot standings with six alongside Michelle Heyman.

When she isn’t scoring, she is creating. Gielnik is first for chances created in the league with 17 and constantly poses a threat down the wing, at set pieces, and in and around the box.

 

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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