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It isn’t the same as the English WSL, the American league or European competitions but the women’s A-League is still a challenging competition – as several national players have found out.
The first half of the season has been rocked by ACL injuries and highlighted incredible rising stars.
Former and current national team players have had mixed results but a number of new faces are showing there is plenty of talent in the A-League.
Here are the top 20 players after the opening 11 rounds.
1. EMINA EKIC (MELBOURNE CITY) The darting, weaving and speedy forward has left several defenders on their backsides or spinning around like a puppy chasing their tail this season. The Bosnian national didn’t join City until November but wasted no time fitting in. Ekic, 24, donned the club colours the year before while on loan from Racing Louisville but her season was cut short by injury. She has scored five goals in seven games, including a hat-trick. Her conversion rate of 45 per cent is the best in the league.
2. HANNAH WILKINSON (MELBOURNE CITY) She will always be known as the player who scored the goal against Norway that gave New Zealand its first World Cup win and Wilkinson’s form has been hard to fault. The 32-year-old forward has five goals and an assist but her leadership and ability to create chances are what make her so valuable. She has played a key role in putting City top of the table.
3. MORGAN AQUINO (PERTH GLORY) It has taken Aquino several seasons to earn her spot as first-team keeper while moving from the Glory to the Roar and back to the Glory but she has made her mark. The 22-year-old has started in all 11 of the Glory’s matches and only conceded 11 goals. She has saved 57 shots at a success rate of 85 per cent – the highest in the league.
4. CHLOE LOGARZO (WESTERN UNITED) Unlucky to miss out on a spot in the Matildas’ World Cup side after battling an ACL injury, Logarzo is doing everything she can to prove she is fit to play in a struggling Western United side. The club that finished second...