Star defender and Matildas hopeful Clare Hunt has clinched the inaugural Pat O’Connor Medal, narrowly beating tough midfielder Libby Copus-Brown to the award.
The medal is named after FA Hall of Famer and women’s football pioneer Pat O’Connor, who started playing football at Bass Hill RSL, before blazing the trail for women in NSW and indeed Australia.
Hunt hasn’t played since Round 8, but her 11 votes were enough to stay ahead of Copus-Brown, who finished one vote behind.
A group of players came third, including first-year utility Sheridan Gallagher and veterans Alex Huynh, Caitlin Cooper and Sarah Langman.
Pat O’Connor, from her home in Perth, paid tribute to Hunt.
“Congratulations for a terrific season to Clare, a player to watch for the future,” she said.
“[It was] a close competition between Clare and Libby.
“Both girls are a credit to their club. We are all looking forward to next season already.
“Well done to the rest of the team as well for fighting till the end.
“[I] wish l could have been there to present the medal personally to Clare. Hopefully next year.”
A busted shoulder against Adelaide United ended Hunt’s impressive campaign early, with many touting her form as worthy of a Matildas cap.
The Wanderers’ women’s defence was one of the best in the league went Hunt went down, conceding only five goals in seven and a half games. After that, they leaked a whopping 22 goals in six and a half games.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Hunt transferred from Canberra at the start of this season and was partnered with reigning Wanderers Medallist Cooper in a tough centre-back combination.
The Wanderers’ women were mean in defence and even kept one of the title favourites Sydney FC goalless early in the season.
Copus-Brown enjoyed a strong back half to the season, with the fiesty midfielder finding her feet in the last month after an inconsistent start. She accumulated eight of her ten votes in the final three games.
Gallagher started the season well, polling well in the early rounds before falling away in the later half of the season.
She missed a few games towards the end through suspension and injury. Her versatility this season was impressive, and the experience gained will hold her in good stead for the future.
Huynh and Cooper are Matildas representatives and know what it takes to play at the highest level.
Huynh came in part way through the season and showed glimpses of her best. Cooper has been a stalwart for a number of years and had another consistent campaign.
Langman was exceptional between the sticks, making 45 saves out of 67 shots on target. She ensured the Wanderers’ women minimised blowout scorelines this season.
Ashlie Crofts won the Golden Boot award with three goals this season. The childhood Wanderers fan showed plenty of potential as the season went on.
Overall it was a disappointing campaign for the Wanderers’ women, but there is always a silver lining. First-year coach Cath Cannuli would have learned as much as the players.
Two 15-year-olds in Alexis Apostolakis and Ella Abdul-Massih had impressive debut campaigns and both appeared to grow as the season went on.
Eighteen-year-old Matildas forward Bryleeh Henry was also one of the most consistent players this season. Her tireless work rate gave the Wanderers’ women plenty of spark up front.
There were a few games where the Wanderers showed they could compete with the best. Quality performances against the top two teams Melbourne City and Sydney FC throughout the season should fill fans with plenty of hope.
It was simply inexperience and tinkering with line-ups that cost them in the end.
With the likes of Hunt, Copus-Brown, Huynh and Cooper leading the way, and with a lot of young talent in the squad, the future is bright at Wanderland heading into what will be a crucial 2022-23 A-League Women season.
Pat O’Connor Medal leader board
11 – Clare Hunt
10 – Libby Copus-Brown
7 – Sheridan Gallagher
7 – Sarah Langman
7 – Alex Huynh
7 – Caitlin Cooper
6 – Alexia Apostolakis
6 – Olivia Price
5 – Bryleeh Henry
5 – Erica Halloway
3 – Malia Steinmetz
3 – Sham Khamis
2 – Danika Matos
2 – Ashlie Crofts
1 – Ella Abdul Massih
1 – Rosie Galea
1 – Teigan Collister
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
Articles have been written. We need more investment in quality players, be they experienced Aussie ones or Marquee visas. We know the scouting has been poor. You can’t expect the same level of scrutiny when circumstances are different. Cannuli is in her first season and has a few experienced players but mostly kids coming up against very experienced teams or kids that are in future Matilda programs etc. Bryleeh Henry is the only regular in our team who is in future Matilda’s. The reason we can’t attract better players is for a number of reasons and yes one is because Cannuli is unproven. But she needs to get that opportunity so we can’t sack her after one season. The players like the positive environment, but they are under no illusions as to where they need to improve
josh
Guest
That this team hasn't faced the same scrutiny as the men's team is unacceptable. I don't see anyone calling for CC's resignation, but they should. When WSW were announcing NPL level signings and expecting fans to be excited, that was the writing on the wall that another terrible season was incoming. What you should be doing is writing articles about what's being done to ensure this under-achieving stops now.
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
That is your opinion only and you do not speak on behalf of everyone. This team struggled but nothing wrong with rewarding players who performed
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
Just go clarify this award is a fans award for the Wanderers Womens Player of the Year. Each round a fan gave 3-2-1 and the votes were accumulated. It’s a testament to Hunt that she was going so well she missed half of the season and still won.
josh
Guest
Giving awards to a team who missed out on the wooden spoon on goal difference. This isn't acceptable, at all.