Westfield W-League Golden Boot race: We look at the players chasing Kerr's tally
As things stand, Sam Kerr is on track to win her second consecutive Westfield W-League Golden Boot award — but, with Perth Glory sitting out Round 12, and with a few players hot on Kerr’s heels, could this be the week things turn pear-shaped for the Westfield Matildas forward?
Kerr, currently on 10 goals, must watch nervously as Natasha Dowie, Veronica Latsko and Caitlin Foord all have the opportunity to add to their goal tallies.
And with only three Rounds remaining, it seems it’s anyone’s for the taking.
We take a look at some of the Westfield W-League players who are making a late dash for the coveted gong.
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Natasha Dowie - Melbourne Victory
Currently on eight goals, Natasha Dowie has had a sensational 2018/19 Season for Melbourne Victory.
The 30-year-old, who’s racked up 14 international appearances for England in her career, grabbed a hat-trick against Sydney FC in Round 4 as well as a brace against Perth in Round 9, to catapult her to within two goals of Kerr.
Interestingly, Dowie’s three remaining games in the regular season come against those same two sides, as well as a catch-up game against Canberra United — after their Round 12 clash was abandoned due to bad weather.
With Dowie coming up against her direct rivals in Rounds 13 and 14, could this be the opportunity she needs to leapfrog them in the Golden Boot race?
Veronica Latsko - Adelaide United
It’s fair to say Veronica Latsko has hit the ground running in her debut Westfield W-League season.
The 23-year-old, signed on loan from the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League, has bagged eight goals and two assists in only nine games.
It’s a remarkable achievement for a player who, in the space of 12 months, has made the transition from college soccer in the United States to becoming a full-time professional at home and in Australia.
Latsko began the 2018/19 Season relatively slowly, bagging two goals in her opening four fixtures for Adelaide United. However, back-to-back braces against Perth Glory and Sydney FC suddenly put her in the mix for the Golden Boot.
Add to that her goals against Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets, and it seems Latsko is in with a real chance.
The Reds take on Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets in Rounds 12 and 13, respectively — both sides which are below Adelaide on the table — so you can expect at least one more goal added to Latsko’s tally.
And with everything to play for, you bet Kerr will be looking over her shoulder and keeping a close eye on Latsko over the next few weeks.
Caitlin Foord - Sydney FC
The old adage ‘when it rains it pours’ is perhaps the most accurate way to describe Foord’s exploits during the 2018/19 Season.
Despite being on seven goals thus far, Foord has in fact only scored in three games.
Remarkably, she has bagged two braces against Western Sydney Wanderers, and helped herself to a hat-trick against Brisbane Roar, to catapult her to seven goals for the campaign.
It is by far the most productive season for the Shellharbour local, who has more goals this season than her previous two seasons combined.
While Foord’s remaining fixtures with Sydney FC see her take on Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, we’ve ranked her as a legitimate chance of getting the Golden Boot thanks to Sydney FC’s incredible attacking form of late courtesy of some Ante Juric magic.
