Mid-season Report Card

Perth are the team to catch in the second half | (Credit: Getty Images)

The tightest season yet of the Westfield W-League has resulted in inconsistent results for many teams in the competition. Points have been hard to come by and playing well has not always assured victory.

How do the teams rate heading into the second half of the season?

Adelaide United

After a promising start, Adelaide have struggled in recent weeks to maintain their early season form. While the Lady Reds have been running out matches better this year, it is their starts that are proving costly and leaving them behind the eight ball. On paper Adelaide presents as a well balance, talented side and, while at times they have combined well, the task for the back half of the season is consistent performances within matches and week to week. Continued good performances from Holly Patterson, Racheal Quigley and Abby Erceg are required as well as a 10-20% lift across the whole side. The good thing about a tight season is that everyone is still in the running for a finals berth.

Grade: C
Best Players: Abby Erceg (D), Holly Patterson (M), Racheal Quigley (F)

Brisbane Roar

A new coach and several new players have seen a new Brisbane Roar team; one that is more unpredictable in results and performance. Not that it's a bad thing. This evolving Roar outfit is more attacking than previous incarnations but also have been more defensively vulnerable. Hoshima Kishi has ably assumed the big gloves of Casey Dumont, Lana Harch has dropped deeper to prove a steady midfield anchor as Katrina Gorry and Tameka Butt go to work in creating chances for the dynamic Amy Chapman. For the first time in their history Brisbane have their work cut out for them in making the finals but all the ingredients are there for them to do so.

Grade: B
Best Players: Hoshima Kishi (D), Katrina Gorry (M), Amy Chapman (F)

Canberra United

Canberra United enter the second half of the season in the unfamiliar sixth position; their lowest position in three seasons (although they have a game in hand). We have seen glimpses of last season's Canberra but injuries to key components of the 2011/12 Championship side has seen a reshuffle occur at the Green Machine resulting in less than fluid performances. Regardless of the start, you can't count out the incumbents with the quality of Caitlin Munoz, rejuvenated full back Nicole Sykes, Ariane Hingst and Michelle Heyman. That Sally Shipard combined with Heyman last week against NTV Beleza in the IWCC for the latters first goal augers well for United. A fully fit Shipard, firing Heyman, tightening at the back and some rumoured new firepower could see come storming back into finals and title contention.

Grade: B-
Best Players: Nicole Sykes (D), Ariane Hingst (M), Caitlin Munoz (F)

Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne Victory have emerged from a tumultuous pre-season to be nicely positioned for a tilt at their third finals series. With Mike Mulvey appointed late, their slow start to the season was anticipated but what wasn't anticipated were the key injuries to Ashley Brown and Louisa Bisby and their resurgence. Smart signings have also helped the situation with Jessica Fishlock, Petra Larsson and Jessica McDonald strong international re-enforcements, while young stalwarts Rebekah Stott, Stephanie Catley and Brianna Davey have transformed into leaders. The Victory look to have put the turmoil behind them and have played excellent football in toppling Sydney and Canberra to place them in a position to strike.

Grade: B
Best Players: Rebekah Stott (D), Stephanie Catley (M/D), Jessica McDonald (F)

Newcastle Jets

Like Adelaide, a promising start for the Newcastle Jets has been eroded in subsequent performances. And also like the Reds, good performances have been punctuated by inattentive passages of play costing them severely. Newcastle's weaknesses are twofold; not capitalising on their good starts to matches and their inability to run out games. The good news for Jets' supporters is that they do have the squad to make inroads. Gema Simon, Gemma Pearce and goalkeeper Eliza Campbell have done a creditable job at the back while American duo Tori Huster and Angela Salem have been impressive in the engine room. Now all that work needs to be topped off with is goals.

Grade: C
Best Players: Gema Simon (D), Angela Salem (M), Tori Huster (M)

Perth Glory

The clubhouse leaders entering the second half of the season, Perth Glory look to be on track to qualify for their first ever W-League finals series. Four wins in their first five matches have them situated nicely courtesy of a balanced team performance and good team depth. The Glory have improved everywhere. Sasha Andrews and Carly Telford lead a strong defence while Collette McCallum and Mariana Tabain fuel and supply a talented forward line of Gill, De Vanna, Sutton and D'Ovidio. With points in the bank, a slow and steady second half of the season would be enough to see the Purple Swag participate in the final two weeks of the season.

Grade: A
Best Players: Carly Telford (D), Marianna Tabain (M), Kate Gill (F)

Sydney FC

Injuries and international duties has been the story for Sydney FC early in the season but despite all the disruptions the Sky Blues are sitting pretty in second position on the table. As foreshadowed, this is due to a very strong attacking front six and including captain Kyah, Kete, Kerr and Polias. However the question mark was always about the defence which has held up well thanks to the anchor role played by Renee Rollason, the outstanding Ralston and growing in confidence Sian McLaren. Sydney also demonstrated they had enough depth and cover; a good sign for the rest of the campaign.

Grade: B+
Best Players: Elizabeth Ralston (D), Teresa Polias (M), Emma Kete (F)

Western Sydney

After a shaky start the Western Sydney Wanderers have regrouped well to have notched up three wins, draw and two losses in their six. More impressively is the fact that they have picked up points against current leaders Glory, last season's grand finalists Brisbane and the defending champions Canberra. A strong defensive base led by Alesha Clifford and Alex Huynh and a strong midfield (including Allen, Uzunlar, Fors) have powered the Wanderers with their experienced forwards (Walsh and Cannuli) coming to the fore in recent weeks.