2019–20 W-League Explained

Competition:	W-League
Season:	2019–20
Winners:	Melbourne City
Premiers:	Melbourne City
Matches:	57
Total Goals:	153
League Topscorer:	Morgan Andrews Natasha Dowie Kristen Hamilton Remy Siemsen (7 goals each)
Longest Wins:	13 matches Melbourne City
Longest Unbeaten:	14 matches Melbourne City
Longest Winless:	8 matches Adelaide United
Longest Losses:	6 matches Adelaide United
Prevseason:	2018–19
Nextseason:	2020–21
Updated:	21 March 2020

The 2019–20 W-League season was the twelfth season of the W-League, the Australian national women's association football competition. Nine teams competed in the league, with most of the players from Australia but 33 of them from 11 other countries.^[1]

Melbourne City was undefeated through the regular season, the third time this has occurred in the W-League and the second time it has been achieved by Melbourne City.

The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season has had a significant impact on the season. Apart from the need to defer a few matches, there were a number of matches that were played in a smoke haze, with some players requiring asthma medication during the matches.^[2]

The grand final was played behind closed doors, due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.^[3]

The season was also notable for the number of high-profile players who left the W-League to join English teams. This included Sam Kerr moving to Chelsea, Hayley Raso to Everton, Caitlin Foord to Arsenal and Chloe Logarzo to Bristol City.^[4]

Clubs

Stadia and locations

Team	Location	Stadium	Capacity
Adelaide United	Adelaide
Brisbane Roar	Brisbane	Suncorp Stadium Lions Stadium
Canberra United	Canberra	McKellar Park Seiffert Oval
Melbourne City	Melbourne	CB Smith Reserve AAMI Park
Melbourne Victory	Melbourne	Lakeside Stadium Epping Stadium AAMI Park Latrobe City Stadium Marvel Stadium
Newcastle Jets	Newcastle	Newcastle Number 2 Sports Ground McDonald Jones Stadium
Perth Glory	Perth Bunbury	Dorrien Gardens Hay Park	–
Sydney FC	Sydney Wollongong	Seymour Shaw Jubilee Oval Leichhardt Oval WIN Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers	Sydney	Marconi Stadium ANZ Stadium Spotless Stadium

Personnel and kits

Team	Manager	Captain	Kit manufacturers	Kit sponsors
Adelaide United	Ivan Karlović	Amber Brooks^[5]	Macron^[6]	SA Power Networks^[7]
Brisbane Roar	Jake Goodship	Clare Polkinghorne^[8]	Umbro^[9] ^[10]	Brisbane Airport^[11]
Canberra United	Heather Garriock	Nikola Orgill Karly Roestbakken^[12]	Viva Teamwear^[13] ^[14]	University of Canberra^[15] ^[16] Drake International^[17]
Melbourne City	Rado Vidošić	Steph Catley^[18]	Puma^[19]	Etihad Airways^[20]
Melbourne Victory	Jeff Hopkins	Natasha Dowie^[21]	Adidas^[22]	Back in Motion^[23]
Newcastle Jets	Ashley Wilson	Cassidy Davis Gema Simon Clare Wheeler^[24]	Viva Teamwear^[25]	Greater Bank^[26] City of Newcastle^[27]
Perth Glory	Bobby Despotovski	Natasha Rigby^[28]	Macron^[29]	BHP^[30]
Sydney FC	Ante Juric	Teresa Polias^[31]	Under Armour^[32]	The Star^[33]
Western Sydney Wanderers	Dean Heffernan	Erica Halloway^[34]	Nike^[35]	Intermain^[36]

Managerial changes

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Position on table	Incoming manager	Date of appointment	Ref.
	Dan Barrett	End of contract	Pre-season		24 April 2019	^[37]
Brisbane Roar		Quit			3 September 2019	^[38]
Newcastle Jets	Craig Deans	Assigned caretaker of men's squad	7th 8th	Ashley Wilson (interim) (full-time)	13 January 2020 22 February 2020	^[39] ^[40]

Foreign players

Club	Visa 1	Visa 2	Visa 3	Visa 4	Non-Visa foreigner(s)	Former player(s)
Adelaide United	Lais Araujo	Julia Ashley	Amber Brooks	Mallory Weber
Brisbane Roar	Rylee Baisden	Celeste Boureille	Shea Connors	Carson Pickett
Canberra United	Camila	Simone Charley	Kaleigh Kurtz	Katie Stengel	Elise Thorsnes^R
Melbourne City	Yukari Kinga	Claire Emslie	Milica Mijatović	Lauren Barnes	Rebekah Stott^A Ally Watt^G
Melbourne Victory	Natasha Dowie	Haley Hanson	Darian Jenkins	Emily Menges	Annalie Longo^A
Newcastle Jets
Perth Glory	Arianna Romero	Celia Jiménez Delgado	Morgan Andrews	Crystal Thomas	Stacey Cavill^A
Sydney FC	Lindsay Agnew	Aubrey Bledsoe	Sofia Huerta	Veronica Latsko
Western Sydney Wanderers	Kristen Hamilton	Abby Smith	Sam Staab			Denise O'Sullivan^G Lynn Williams

The following do not fill a Visa position:
^A Australian citizens who have chosen to represent another national team;
^G Guest Players;
^R Injury Replacement Players, or National Team Replacement Players

Regular season

The regular season runs from 14 November 2019 to 1 March 2020, including a two-week break at the end of January and beginning of February. The season consists of 12 matches per team, 6 home and 6 away, usually with one match per week for each team. Because the league has an odd number of teams, at least one team each week does not play. In most weeks, the league has scheduled one match on Thursday and the remaining matches on Saturday and Sunday. To date, two matches have had to be rescheduled due to bushfires, either because of direct fire threat or because of smoke.

Results

Fixtures

Round 14

Finals series

The grand final was played behind closed doors, due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.^[41]

Grand final

See main article: 2020 W-League grand final.

Regular season statistics

Top scorers

^[42]

Rank	Player	Club	Goals
1	Morgan Andrews	Perth Glory	7
	Natasha Dowie	Melbourne Victory
	Kristen Hamilton	Western Sydney Wanderers
	Remy Siemsen	Sydney FC
5	Emily van Egmond	Melbourne City	6
6	Tara Andrews	Newcastle Jets	5
	Simone Charley	Canberra United
	Darian Jenkins	Melbourne Victory
	Milica Mijatović	Melbourne City
10	Kyra Cooney-Cross	Western Sydney Wanderers	4
	Claire Emslie	Melbourne City
	Hayley Raso	Brisbane Roar
	Kyah Simon	Melbourne City
	Mallory Weber	Adelaide United
	Lynn Williams	Western Sydney Wanderers

Own goals

Player	Club	Against	Round
			2
			7
			10
			11
			13
			13

Hat-tricks

See main article: List of W-League (Australia) hat-tricks.

Clean sheets

Rank	Player	Club	Clean sheets
1	Lydia Williams	Melbourne City	8
2	Aubrey Bledsoe	Sydney FC	7
3	Casey Dumont	Melbourne Victory	5
4	Mackenzie Arnold	Brisbane Roar	4
5	Abby Smith	Western Sydney Wanderers	3
6	Sham Khamis	Canberra United	1
	Claire Coelho	Newcastle Jets

Monthly awards

Month	Player of the month		Coach of the month		Young player of the month
	Name	Club	Name	Club	Name	Club
November 2019	Remy Siemsen^[44]	Sydney FC	Dean Heffernan^[45]	Western Sydney Wanderers	Kyra Cooney-Cross^[46]	Western Sydney Wanderers
December 2019	Denise O'Sullivan^[47]	Western Sydney Wanderers	Dean Heffernan^[48]	Western Sydney Wanderers	Indiah-Paige Riley^[49]	Brisbane Roar
January 2020	Natasha Dowie^[50]	Melbourne Victory	Rado Vidošić^[51]	Melbourne City	Ellie Carpenter^[52]	Melbourne City
February 2020	Morgan Andrews^[53]	Perth Glory	Jeff Hopkins^[54]	Melbourne Victory	Hollie Palmer^[55]	Brisbane Roar

End-of-season awards

The following end of the season awards were announced at the 2019–20 Dolan Warren Awards night on 23 July 2020.^[56]

• Julie Dolan Medal – Kristen Hamilton (Western Sydney Wanderers)
• NAB Young Footballer of the Year – Ellie Carpenter (Melbourne City)
• Golden Boot Award – Morgan Andrews (Perth Glory), Kristen Hamilton (Western Sydney Wanderers), Remy Siemsen (Sydney FC), and Natasha Dowie (Melbourne Victory) (7 goals)
• Goalkeeper of the Year – Aubrey Bledsoe (Sydney FC) and Lydia Williams (Melbourne City)
• Coach of the Year – Rado Vidošić (Melbourne City)
• Fair Play Award – Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, and Perth Glory
• Referee of the Year – Rebecca Durcau
• Goal of the Year – Amy Jackson (Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, 28 December 2019)

International competition

See also: 2019 AFC Women's Club Championship.

The W-League was represented in the first edition of the AFC Women's Club Championship, which took place from 26 to 30 November 2019 in Yongin, South Korea.^[57] Melbourne Victory were invited to participate in the tournament, as the Premiers of the 2018–19 season.^[58] They finished in last place with one point from their 3 matches.

As Premiers in 2019–20, Melbourne City qualify to the 2020 AFC Women's Club Championship.

See also

• W-League transfers for 2019–20 season
• 2019–20 Adelaide United W-League season
• 2019–20 Melbourne City W-League season
• 2019–20 Melbourne Victory W-League season
• 2019–20 Newcastle Jets W-League season
• 2019–20 Perth Glory W-League season

Notes and References

1. Web site: Westfield W-League 2020 finals series looms large. Westfield W-League. en. 2020-01-24.
2. Web site: Your Best Opinions – W-League Round 6: 'Players running to save refs, Spamming City and Rioting for Cooney-Cross'. The Women's Game. 2020-01-14.
3. News: sport. Guardian. Football to continue in Australia amid coronavirus crisis but behind closed doors. 2020-03-15. The Guardian. 2020-03-16. en-GB. 0261-3077.
4. Web site: Logarzo to join fellow Matildas in Europe after signing for English club. Bossi. Dominic. 23 January 2020. The Sydney Morning Herald.
5. Web site: Hogg discusses vice-captaincy and facing Wanderers. Gianluca. Filosi. Adelaide United. 13 November 2019. Hogg joins teammate Laura Johns as a vice-captain to skipper Amber Brooks, who was given the armband for the campaign..
6. Web site: Adelaide United announces Macron partnership. Adelaide United. 2 June 2016.
7. Web site: SA Power Networks continues support of women's football as Reds re-sign four local stars. Football Federation Australia. Adelaide United. 27 September 2019.
8. News: Roar captain eyes crucial W-League season . Murray. Wenzel. Bendigo Advertiser. 25 October 2018.
9. Web site: Brisbane Roar and Umbro announce long-term partnership. Brisbane Roar. 15 August 2014. 6 February 2020. 27 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327142849/https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-and-umbro-announce-long-term-partnership. dead.
10. Web site: Brisbane Roar FC launch five kits for 2019/20. A-League. 15 September 2019.
11. Web site: Roar Women flying high with Brisbane Airport. Brisbane Roar. 9 September 2013.
12. Web site: Roestbakken to lead Canberra United alongside Orgill. Canberra United. 14 November 2019.
13. Web site: McDonald's Kanga Cup partners with VIVA Teamwear. The company supplies gear to over 300 sporting clubs nationwide, from small grassroots teams to the Hyundai A-League’s Newcastle Jets and the Westfield W-League’s Canberra United.. Kanga Cup. 20 March 2019.
14. Web site: Our Partners. As the official apparel partner of Canberra United for the Westfield W-League 2019/20 season and Foxtel Y-League 2019/20 season, VIVA Teamwear can be counted on under the toughest situations and harshest conditions.. Canberra United. 17 February 2020.
15. News: Canberra United moves training base from AIS to University of Canberra. The university and Capital Football will announce the deal on Thursday as part of a front-of-jersey sponsorship arrangement for the W-League season.. Chris. Dutton. The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 August 2018.
16. Web site: Canberra United moves to UC. The University of Canberra will become the new training venue for Canberra United for the 2018–19 W-League season and beyond as part of a new sponsorship arrangement.. Anthony. Perry. University of Canberra. 23 August 2018.
17. Web site: Canberra United announce deal with Drake International. Canberra United. 14 November 2019.
18. Web site: Melbourne City FC re-signs captain Steph Catley. Melbourne City. 2 November 2019.
19. Web site: Manchester City replaces Nike with Puma in kit deal. BBC News. 28 February 2019.
20. News: Etihad Airways to sponsor Melbourne City FC. Mahmoud. Kassem. The National. 7 July 2014.
21. Web site: Victory captain Dowie locks sights on trophy double in 2019/20. Samuel. Green. W-League. 5 November 2019.
22. Web site: Melbourne Victory extends partnership with adidas. Melbourne Victory. 6 February 2017.
23. Web site: Back In Motion backing Victory W-League. Melbourne Victory. 31 October 2019.
24. Web site: W-League: Deans names leadership trio for 2019/20. Newcastle Jets. 25 October 2019.
25. Web site: Newcastle Jets agree apparel deal with Viva. George. Dudley. SportsPro. 2 June 2017.
26. Web site: Greater Bank confirms Major Sponsorship of Newcastle Jets W League squad. Greater Bank. 9 October 2018.
27. Web site: W-League: City of Newcastle on board again in 2019/20!. Newcastle Jets. 10 October 2019.
28. Web site: Rigby confirmed as new Glory skipper. Gareth. Morgan. Perth Glory. 14 November 2019.
29. Web site: Macron sign on for four more years. Perth Glory. 30 May 2017.
30. Web site: BHP confirmed as principal club partner. A-League. Perth Glory. 7 October 2019.
31. Web site: Ultimate W-League Team Previews: Sydney FC. Lucas. Radbourne. The Women's Game. 3 November 2019. As captain Teresa Polias tell us....
32. Web site: Sydney FC In Australian First Partnership With Under Armour. Sydney FC. 1 July 2019.
33. Web site: Sydney FC & The Star Sydney Sign Four Year Deal. Sydney FC. 8 October 2019.
34. Web site: Halloway named Wanderers captain. Western Sydney Wanderers. 14 November 2019.
35. Web site: Wanderers launch jersey, announce Nike partnership extension. Western Sydney Wanderers. 11 August 2017.
36. Web site: Wanderers announce Westfield W-League major partnership with Intermain. Football Federation Australia. Western Sydney Wanderers. 26 September 2019.
37. Web site: Former Socceroo to coach Wanderers in the W-League. The Women's Game. 24 April 2019.
38. News: Andreatta quits as Roar W-League coach. Ed. Jackson. The Newcastle Herald. 3 September 2019.
39. Web site: W-League: Wilson confirmed as Interim Head Coach. Newcastle Jets. 13 January 2020.
40. Web site: Wilson remains Jets coach as Deans steps down. W-League. 22 February 2020. 23 February 2020.
41. News: sport. Guardian. Football to continue in Australia amid coronavirus crisis but behind closed doors. 2020-03-15. The Guardian. 2020-03-16. en-GB. 0261-3077.
42. Web site: Players – W-League – Australia. Soccerway. 16 February 2020.
43. News: Courage's Kristen Hamilton nets hat trick in Australia's W-League. Mitchell. Northam. Pro Soccer USA. 28 November 2019. 28 November 2019. 28 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191128183205/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/north-carolina-courage/courage-kristen-hamilton-hat-trick-australia-wleague-nwsl-wanderers-lynn-2019/. dead.
44. Web site: Remy Siemsen named Player of the Month for November. W-League. 11 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822202821/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/vote-westfield-w-league-player-month-november. 22 August 2021. dead.
45. Web site: Dean Heffernan voted Coach of the Month for November. W-League. 11 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822202833/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/vote-westfield-w-league-coach-month-november. 22 August 2021. dead.
46. Web site: Kyra Cooney-Cross named November Nominee for the Young Footballer of the Year. W-League. 10 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210327045912/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/kyra-cooney-cross-named-november-nominee-young-footballer-year. 27 March 2021. dead.
47. Web site: Denise O'Sullivan named Player of the Month for December. W-League. 7 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319181129/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/osullivan-named-player-month-december. 19 March 2021. dead.
48. Web site: Dean Heffernan voted Coach of the Month for December. W-League. 7 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319181141/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/dean-heffernan-voted-coach-month-december. 19 March 2021. dead.
49. Web site: Indiah-Paige Riley named December Nominee for the Young Footballer of the Year. W-League. 7 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210318125509/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/indiah-paige-riley-named-december-nominee-young-footballer-year. 18 March 2021. dead.
50. Web site: Natasha Dowie voted Player of the Month for January. W-League. 3 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210320225032/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/natasha-dowie-voted-player-month-january. 20 March 2021. dead.
51. Web site: Rado Vidosic voted Coach of the Month for January. W-League. 3 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210320225004/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/rado-vidosic-voted-coach-month-january. 20 March 2021. dead.
52. Web site: Ellie Carpenter named January Nominee for Young Footballer of the Year. W-League. 3 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210320224933/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/ellie-carpenter-named-january-nominee-young-footballer-year. 20 March 2021. dead.
53. Web site: Morgan Andrews voted Player of the Month for February. W-League. 5 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319191534/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/morgan-andrews-voted-player-month-february. 19 March 2021. dead.
54. Web site: Jeff Hopkins voted Coach of the Month for February. W-League. 5 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319191449/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/jeff-hopkins-voted-coach-month-february. 19 March 2021. dead.
55. Web site: Hollie Palmer named February Nominee for Young Footballer of the Year. W-League. 6 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319191316/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/hollie-palmer-named-february-nominee-young-footballer-year. 19 March 2021. dead.
56. Web site: Kristen Hamilton takes out Julie Dolan Medal. W-League. 23 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210505210056/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/kristen-hamilton-takes-out-julie-dolan-medal. 5 May 2021. dead.
57. Web site: Stage set for Women's Club Championship in Korea Republic . AFC . 1 November 2019. 12 November 2019.
58. Web site: Victory set to headline new AFC Club Championship. The Women's Game. 1 October 2019.