Westfield W-League Season 2018/19 proved to be another highly successful campaign for our Roar Women.
The campaign was officially brought to an end at last week’s Dolan Warren Awards, celebrating the achievements of all involved in both the Hyundai A-League & Westfield W-League.
Mel Andreatta’s finished the regular season in second position, just four points shy of Premiers Melbourne Victory, before being edged out in the semi-finals by eventual Champions Sydney FC.
It’s the second consecutive season in which Brisbane has earned the right to host a semi-final as a top-two finisher, with eyes firmly set on going one further in Season 2019/20.
After claiming a second Julie Dolan Medal last campaign, BRFC Player of the Season Clare Polkinghorne wrapped up another superb season in the Roar defence, finishing in the top five of this season’s Julie Dolan Medal count, alongside fellow BRFC teammate Yuki Nagasato.
The Roar were the only Club to have two players inside the top five for the medal which was won by the Victory’s Christine Nairn.
Polkinghorne’s stellar campaign has also earned her a call-up to a fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup where she’ll join fellow Roar stars Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry, all of whom are off to their second World Cup.
Five youngsters made Westfield W-League debuts in Season 2018/19. Anna Margraf, Leah Davidson and Elli Chapple made their BRFC bows in round one against Perth Glory, while defender Danielle Ward made her maiden appearance in the final match of the regular season against Adelaide United.
BRFC Westfield W-League Young Player of the Year Indiah-Paige Riley debuted in round two against Western Sydney Wanderers before going on to make ten appearances for the side, scoring once in front of her home crowd at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium on her 17th birthday.
Impressive first seasons from Riley and Davidson saw the pair called up for the Young Matildas squad, alongside fellow young gun Hollie Palmer, that qualified for the 2019 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship courtesy of convincing victories over Nepal, Myanmar & Uzbekistan in the space of five days in Myanmar last month.
