Kick360’s A-League Women’s season review | OneFootball

Sydney won the double and Western United made history, but supporters of every team had something to enjoy in season 2022/23. Kick360 takes a look at the best moments for each club, and what their priority for next season might be.

Wellington

Best moment

Wellington’s season was disappointing, but not a disaster. Although they added some experience to the squad, they are still a young side. Many of their top players featured for the New Zealand or Australian Under 20 sides at the World Cup, and their lack of depth compared to other teams meant that rotation was tough.

The high point of Natalie Lawrence’s first season at the helm, was a 5-0 thrashing of Canberra United. It was a game that showcased what they can do when everything clicks, and the growing potential of Ava Pritchard who played her best game as a “Nine” for the club.

A Priority for next season:

Wellington Phoenix still have the foundation of a good side. Millie Clegg must be supported and nurtured. She is a game breaking talent that will only get better with experience, while Michaela Foster’s ability from a dead ball keeps them dangerous. However, There is still a big gap between their best and worst performances. Adding some experienced players will help this a lot, and the two year contract to new manager Paul Temple should ensure stability. They cannot afford another bottom placed finish next season though, and need to balance results and development. It is a tough task, but the future remains exciting.

Newcastle Jets

Best Moment

The 2-0 win over eventual Grand Finalists Western United was the best result of a disappointing season, and the only hint of improvement after Ash Wilson was replaced. The Jets struggled for another season, but in the early rounds played some exciting and entertaining football.

In a season with little to cheer about, Ash Brodigan and Taryn King gave the fans reason to hope.

Priority for next season

It is a long list. Unlike Wellington Phoenix, There is no clear plan at the Jets. They need to the irreplaceable in Tara Andrews. The club’s all time leading scorer retired at the age of 29 and leaves big boots to fill.

The clubs academy produces talent with impressive regularity, but they need to recruit aggressively and keep those players for the whole season. Sarah Griffith was a star and lit up games in her time at the club, but Newcastle are not in a position to benefit strongly from short term signings.

The need a striker and a creative player to improve next season.

Brisbane Roar

Brisbane’s season was an interesting one. Gareth Mcpherson’s team went into most games with a good chance of winning. Unfortunately six draws and a clerical error kept them from finals contention. The  away fixture against Melbourne Victory in Round 19 was one of the Roar’s best performances.

Shea Connors scored a stunning solo goal, and Hensley Hancuff was brilliant between the posts in the 1-1 draw. At the time, the result gave them hope of making the top four.

Priority for next season

There is still a bit to like about Brisbane. Their attack can be thrilling to watch and the addition of Indiah Paige-Riley added some creativity following the injury to Mariel Hecher. Hollie Palmer established herself as one of the league’s best midfielders, finishing only behind Mackenzie Hawkesby and Cortnee Vine for Chances Created.

While Hancuff was a giant in goal. Brisbane probably need more defensive depth. Jamilla Rankin has impressed at centre back, but with they needed to improve in the backline before the retirement of Jessie Rasschaert. Heading into next season, it is a matter of urgency.

Adelaide United

Best Moment

It remains Round One. The win over Sydney FC promised so much. Emilia Murray scored her first goal, Chelsie Dawber looked to be in fine touch and the defence held out against the might of Sydney FC’s attack.

Unfortunately, Adelaide United struggled to replicate that form as the season went on. But it was a fantastic performance on the opening day, and in Murray, it announced a bright new talent in the competition.

Priority for next season

Keep Emily Condon fit. The playmaker is one of the Red’s best players and is vital for linking midfield and attack. Adelaide’s attack looked far less dangerous without her creative spark and with Fiona Worts struggling for fitness and form, too much fell to Dawber and Dylan Holmes and it made Adrian Stenta’s team easier for defences to manage.

Condon was not the only injury this season, but her particular style of play and position made her the hardest to replace. Not too much went wrong for Adelaide within games, but nothing went their way either. If they can keep their team together, add a little pace and keep key players fit, 2022/23 will be just a speed-bump.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Best Moment

Sarina Bolden’s arrival was greeted with hope and fanfare, despite the Philippines international being unproven in the A-League Women. She delivered almost immediately giving Kat Smith’s organized team a focal point and something for all other sides to worry about.

The Wanderers went on an impressive run of results. They defeated Melbourne City and Western United, while drawing against Melbourne Victory. They showed that on any day they can match it with the top four sides, and if their momentum had started earlier in the season they may have forged a path to finals. It was an exciting time for Wanderers fans, and one of the league’s best international signings in recent history.

Priority for next season

Retaining Bolden is the most obvious priority, but even without her the still have the building blocks for a strong team. Sophie Harding’s move into the centre of attack is something that they should continue with, Bethany Gordon enjoyed a breakout season and Clare Hunt became a senior Matilda.

Replacing the captain and centre back is a huge task should she leave for Europe, but Kat Smith’s team showed enough this season for fans to be encouraged going into the next.

The next couple of years could be ones of steady progression for The Wanderers, keeping as much of this side together will be a huge part of that.

Perth Glory

Best Moment

Alana Jancevski’s goal in the Round 13 win against Western United was not just one of Perth’s best moments, it was one of the goals of the season. The left footed magician is blessed with a left foot that is both a wand and a hammer. Her curling free kick was too fast and too well directed for Hillary Beall to do anything about.

Priority for next season

Defensive reinforcements. Kim Carroll has retired, and that leaves a huge hole in the Glory defence. If Victorian Claudia Mihocic regains fitness she is the ideal replacement for the Glory legend, but they will still need depth in the backline. Injuries and fixturing went against Alex Epakis’s side this season, but that is largely beyond their control.

If they can improve their defensive record, and the young players continue to progress, Perth Glory might be able to bridge that gap between them and the top four.

Canberra United

Canberra United was the league’s most in-form side when the home and away season ended. They were undefeated in the last seven games, and that run started with a late 2-1 win over Sydney FC.

The football was capped off by a late winner by club legend Ellie Brush, but the result remained in doubt for much of the season. The win was overturned by the league for an unallowed sub, but that decision was successfully appealed by Canberra United and the points were allowed to stand.

The off-field drama approached farcical levels, but that will be forgotten quickly compared to the brilliant win. One made all the more important after some big defeats in the weeks before.

Priority for next season

Canberra United only barely missed the finals. Had they scored one more, or conceded one less in the final game to Melbourne City, they would have finished in fourth place.

Canberra have very few weaknesses. Keeping the majority of this squad together will be important as they attempt to go at least one step further this season.

If there is an area that needs attention it is at Centre Back. Beyond Grace Maher and Ellie Brush, they had limited depth in that position. Holly Murray improved significantly and may be able to step up more next season. However, with Brush retiring, it is the main area that Njegosh Popovich needs to address.

Melbourne Victory

Best Moment:

Victory’s season did not reach the heights of the previous two, but Jeff Hopkins’ side provided fans with plenty to smile about. Paige Zois scored two screamers and Alex Chidiac lit up the league while she was here.

But the “Best Moment” is obvious. Casey Dumont’s heroics in the knockout semi-final. After keeping Victory in the match with an series of spectacular saves, Dumont scored the first penalty in the shootout, then saved City’s first attempt.

It was an iconic moment from a club legend.

Priority for next season

Injuries affected Victory this season. When Melina Ayres and Catherine Zimmerman were both ruled out, there was no natural striker to replace them. Sarah Rowe and Rikke Madsen both did their best to fill the role, but are wingers and the side missed a player able to occupy defenders and trouble goalkeepers.

Recruiting another penalty box specialist will provide Victory with insurance against injury next season and reduce the reliance on grinding out results like they did after Chidiac departed.

Melbourne City

Dario Vidosic’s first season in charge was an overall success. City were a fluid, consistent football machine for much of the season. That they were unable to defeat the other top four teams is something that will change with experience for both manager and players.

City scored 36 goals in 2022/23, and although their tactics did not visibly change much, they found different ways to score. The most memorable of these is Caitlin Karic’s one touch chip against Newcastle.

It was a perfectly executed goal and an incredible way for the 17 year old to announce her arrival in the A-League Women.

Priority for next season

City’s squad is largely complete, although the defence conceded six goals in their last two games, the quality of the opposition has to be taken into account. Only minor things need to be fixed for them to contend for another trophy.

Vidosic will need to work out which of his strikers works best, and perhaps recruit another defensive midfielder to support Leah Davidson and free up Leticia Mckenna.

The biggest issue that City need to fix is their home ground. This is a terrific team to watch and deserve a better stage than an AFL oval with no view like Casey Fields.

Western United

Best Moment

The leagues newest club had a season  to remember, and picking their best moment is a challenge. It could easily be Jess McDonald’s winner in Round One against Melbourne Victory, or more obviously the semi final win over Sydney FC to launch them into a Grand Final at the first opportunity.

Individually, Hillary Beall’s penalty save against Melbourne City and Chloe Logazro’s brace in the same game did more to shape the top four than any other moment, and Hannah Keane’s goals to seal the Golden Boot were historic for the club.

Picking just one is impossible, so we are going to go with McDonald’s visit for Grand Final week. It was just another example of the impressive culture at City Vista.

Priority for next season

Western will be the hunted next season. They will be expected to retain much of their squad, but need to make some additions to keep ahead of the chasing pack.

Some of this will come from their reserves and the Vic NPLW. Players like Ava Groba and Raquel Derales were around the squad but could not force their way into an impressive line-up.

Whether it is from more big name signings, or from their partner club Calder United, Western will look to strengthen, and their success this season will only make them a more attractive destination.

Sydney FC

Best Moment

Was it the premiership or the championship? Sydney FC achieved everything they set out to this season, and did it convincingly. On top of the impressive team success, there were also some significant moments throughout the season.

Princess Ibini became the youngest player to reach 100 senior appearance in the A-League Women. Mackenzie Hawkesby created more chances than any other player, Sarah Hunter developed into the leagues premier holding midfielder, and Cortnee Vine looks better with every season.

The Grand Final win is clearly the biggest and best moment of the season, but the final round goal by 15 year old Indiana Dos Santos made her a part of league history as its youngest scorer.

Sydney FC’s season was a huge success at team and individual level. It is impossible to choose just one moment from 2022/23

Priority for next season

Mackenzie Hawkesby and Cortnee Vine are two of the leagues best players. Hawkesby is as consistent as Vine is spectacular and both were crucial to Sydney’s success.

The duo will undoubtedly attract interest from Europe, and will need to balance the benefits of being at home compared with stepping out of their comfort zone.

From Sydney FC’s position, keeping one or both would be a huge priority. The club has shown a willingness to facilitate players moving on to the next stage of their careers in the past, and an ability to replace the seemingly irreplaceable talents like Clare Wheeler or Remy Siemsen.

But these are two of the best and most in-form players in the league. If Ante Juric can keep them in his team, Sydney FC will likely win again next season.