2011–12 Melbourne Victory FC (W-League) season

Melbourne Victory (W-League) 2011–12 football season

Melbourne Victory (W-League)2011–12 season

Chairman| Anthony Di Pietro
Head Coach| Vicki Linton
Stadiums| Veneto Club
Skilled Stadium
W-League| 4th
W-League Finals| Semi-finals
Top goalscorer| League: Jodie Taylor (8)
All: Jodie Taylor (8)
Biggest win| 5–0
vs. Perth Glory (A)
(10 December 2011)
W-League
Biggest defeat| 1–2 (twice)
0–1 (twice)

Home colours

Away colours

|

<- 2010–11

2012–13 ->

The 2011–12 season was Melbourne Victory Football Club (W-League)'s fourth season, in the W-League. Melbourne Victory finished 4th in their W-League season, finishing in the semi-finals.

## Review

[edit]

### Background

[edit]

The Victory entered the 2011–12 season having finished fourth in 2010–11 and being eliminated in the semi-finals in their first finals appearance.[1][2]

Vicki Linton returned for a second year as head coach, the only female coach in the W-League.[3]

### Regular season

[edit]

Victory opened the season with a 2–0 victory over Perth Glory at the Veneto Club with Caitlin Friend and Amy Jackson scoring either side of half-time.[4][5]

Playing against Sydney FC in their second match, the Victory lost a tight battle 2–1 with Sydney's guest player Megan Rapinoe scoring a winner late in the match.[6][7]

Travelling to Canberra, Victory faced Canberra United at McKellar Park. Victory conceded two goals in the first half and Kendall Fletcher could only score a consolation goal with twelve minutes to play.[8]

Returning to Victoria, the team faced winless Adelaide United at Veneto Club. Victory prevailed 4–0, with Caitlin Friend scoring three times.[9]

In their sixth match of the season, Victory played Newcastle Jets in Geelong, marking Melissa Barbieri's return to Victoria. The Victory used her return to market the match and tried, unsuccessfully, to attract a W-League record crowd. Before the match, Barbieri complained, saying, "they are billing me, in front of their own players, to market the game and I think that's poor form." Ultimately, the Victory prevailed 2–1, with Jodie Taylor scoring two goals for the home team.[10][11][12][13]

Playing in Perth a week later, Victory faced a Perth Glory team who had been defeated 11–0 by Sydney FC the previous week. The Glory were also missing two players who had been suspended after a fight at training. Victory recorded their biggest win of the season in a 5–0 defeat with Katrina Gorry scoring a brace and Jodie Taylor a hat-trick.[14][15]

Facing the undefeated Canberra United in late December, the Victory led early with Taylor converting a 20th minute penalty after Fletcher was brought down in the penalty area. Michelle Heyman equalised for Canberra in the 81st minute and the final score remained 1–1.[16]

Entering their final match of the season against Adelaide United at Burton Park in Adelaide, the Victory were guaranteed of making the finals, with the Newcastle Jets losing to Perth Glory the day before. Had the Jets won, the Victory would have needed a point to lock in fourth spot. The Victory won comfortably with four players sharing in the goals in a 4–1 win over the Reds.[17][18][19][20]

## Transfers

[edit]

In September, Linton made the decision to release national team goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri ahead of the season in favour of 16-year-old Brianna Davey.[21][22][23]

England international Jodie Taylor returned to the club from Birmingham City in the FA Women's Super League (WSL).[24] American players, Kendall Fletcher and Danielle Johnson from Sky Blue FC in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) returned for a second season.[21]

In October 2011, the Victory recruited Laura Spiranovic, sister of Australian men's international Matthew Spiranovic, from South Melbourne. Spiranovic had come off a big season in the Victorian Women's Premier League having won both the best player award as well as being the league's leading goalscorer.[24][25][26]

Linton also brought in local players, Jackie Vogt, Cassandra Dimovski and Georgie Koutrouvelis.[21]

### In

[edit]

Pos. | Name | From | Ref.

|
|
|

FW |  Jodie Taylor |  Birmingham City | [24]
DF |  Kendall Fletcher |  Sky Blue FC | [27]
DF |  Danielle Johnson |  Sky Blue FC | [21]
FW |  Laura Spiranovic |  South Melbourne FC | [21]
DF |  Rebekah Stott |  Brisbane Roar | [21]
MF |  Katrina Gorry |  Adelaide United | [21]
MF |  Stephanie Tanti |  Sandringham | [21]
DF |  Jackie Vogt |  NTC | [21]
GK |  Cassandra Dimovski |  Box Hill | [21]
FW |  Georgie Koutrouvelis |  Box Hill | [21]

### Out

[edit]

Pos. | Name | To | Ref.

|
|
|

GK |  Melissa Barbieri |  Newcastle Jets | [22]
DF |  Snez Veljanovska |  Canberra United | [28]
DF |  Ella Mastrantonio |  Perth Glory | [21]
MF |  Ursula Hughson | Released | [21]
FW |  Deanna Niceski | Released | [21]
DF |  Marlies Oostdam | Released | [21]
MF |  Nicole Paul | Released | [21]

## Competitions

[edit]

### Overall record

[edit]

Competition  | First match  | Last match  | Starting round  | Final position  | Record

|
|
|
|
|

Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win %
W-League | 22 October 2011  | 15 January 2012  | Matchday 1  | 4th  | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 9 | +12  | 050.00
W-League Finals | 21 January 2012  | Semi-finals  | Semi-finals  | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1  | 000.00
Total  | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 10 | +11  | 045.45

Source: Competitions

### W-League

[edit]

Main article: 2011–12 W-League

#### League table

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Canberra United (C) | 10  | 7  | 3  | 0  | 23  | 9  | +14  | 24  | Qualification to Finals series
2  | Brisbane Roar | 10  | 6  | 3  | 1  | 20  | 11  | +9  | 21
3  | Sydney FC | 10  | 5  | 2  | 3  | 26  | 8  | +18  | 17
4  | Melbourne Victory | 10  | 5  | 2  | 3  | 21  | 9  | +12  | 17
5  | Newcastle Jets | 10  | 4  | 0  | 6  | 18  | 22  | −4  | 12  |
6  | Perth Glory | 10  | 2  | 0  | 8  | 11  | 36  | −25  | 6
7  | Adelaide United | 10  | 1  | 0  | 9  | 6  | 30  | −24  | 3

Source: au.soccerway.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions

#### Results summary

[edit]

Overall | Home | Away

|
|

Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD
10  | 5  | 2  | 3  | 21  | 9  |  +12  | 17  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 10  | 3  |  +7  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 11  | 6  |  +5

Source: worldfootball.net

#### Results by round

[edit]

Round| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Ground| H| A| B| A| H| A| H| A| H| H| B| A
Result| W| B| L| L| W| L| W| W| D| D| B| W
Position| 2| 4| 4| 5| 4| 5| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4
Points| 3| 3| 3| 3| 6| 6| 9| 12| 13| 14| 14| 17

Source: worldfootball.net
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

#### Matches

[edit]

The league fixtures were announced on 27 September 2011.[29]

Win Draw Loss

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory 22 October 2011 1|  Melbourne Victory | 2–0|  Perth Glory | Melbourne

|
|
|
|

17:00 AEDT |

* Friend 38'
* Jackson 48'

| Report |  | Stadium: Veneto Club
Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory 29 October 2011 2|  Sydney FC | 2–1|  Melbourne Victory | Sydney

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEDT |

* Ledbrook 9'
* Rapinoe 83'

| Report |

* Taylor 63' (pen.)

| Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Jacqui Melksham

Canberra United v Melbourne Victory 12 November 2011 4|  Canberra United | 2–1|  Melbourne Victory | Canberra

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEDT |

* Sykes 24'
* Hemmings 39'

| Report |

* Fletcher 78'

| Stadium: McKellar Park
Attendance: 732
Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United 19 November 2011 5|  Melbourne Victory | 4–0|  Adelaide United | Melbourne

|
|
|
|

17:00 AEDT |

* Friend 16', 57', 80'
* Taylor 23'

| Report |  | Stadium: Veneto Club
Attendance: 556
Referee: Catherine Hoffman

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory 26 November 2011 6|  Brisbane Roar | 1–0|  Melbourne Victory | Brisbane

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEST |

* Gielnik 47'

| Report |  | Stadium: Cleveland Showgrounds
Referee: Rebecca Durcau

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets 3 December 2011 7|  Melbourne Victory | 2–1|  Newcastle Jets | Geelong

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEDT |

* Taylor 41', 65'
* Bolger 37'

| Report |  | Stadium: Skilled Stadium
Referee: Catherine Hoffman

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory 10 December 2011 8|  Perth Glory | 0–5|  Melbourne Victory | Perth

|
|
|
|

16:00 AWST |  | Report |

* Gorry 3', 23'
* Taylor 24', 62', 78'

| Stadium: 6PR Stadium
Referee: David Costello

Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar 17 December 2011 9|  Melbourne Victory | 1–1|  Brisbane Roar | Geelong

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEDT |

* Fletcher 78'

| Report |

* Gielnik 90+1'

| Stadium: Skilled Stadium
Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Melbourne Victory v Canberra United 30 December 2011 10|  Melbourne Victory | 1–1|  Canberra United | Melbourne

|
|
|
|

17:00 AEDT |

* Taylor 20' (pen.)

| Report |

* Heyman 81'

| Stadium: Veneto Club
Referee: Catherine Hoffman

Adelaide United v Melbourne VIctory 15 January 2012 12|  Adelaide United | 1–4|  Melbourne VIctory | Adelaide

|
|
|
|

15:00 ACDT |

* Rajcic 21'

| Report |

* Gorry 31'
* Brown 36'
* Friend 45'
* Fletcher 90'

| Stadium: Burton Park
Referee: Stacey Sasopolous

#### Finals series

[edit]

Canberra United v Melbourne Victory 21 January 2012 Semi-finals|  Canberra United | 1–0|  Melbourne Victory | Canberra

|
|
|
|

15:00 AEDT |

* Heyman 83'

| Report |  | Stadium: McKellar Park
Attendance: 1,785
Referee: Kirralee Andruschak

## Squad statistics

[edit]

No. | Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals |  |

|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | GK |  Brianna Davey | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0
2 | DF |  Rita Mankowska | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0
3 | MF |  Ashley Brown | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0
4 | DF |  Kendall Fletcher | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0
5 | DF |  Rebekah Stott | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0
6 | DF |  Maika Ruyter-Hooley | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0
7 | DF |  Steph Catley | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0
8 | MF |  Enza Barilla | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0
9 | FW |  Georgie Koutrouvelis | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0
10 | FW |  Jodie Taylor | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0
11 | FW |  Caitlin Friend | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0
12 | MF |  Amy Jackson | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0
13 | MF |  Katrina Gorry | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0
14 | MF |  Stephanie Tanti | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
15 | DF |  Danielle Johnson | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0
16 | MF |  Louisa Bisby | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0
17 | DF |  Gülcan Koca | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0
18 | DF |  Jackie Vogt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
19 | FW |  Laura Spiranovic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0
20 | GK |  Cassandra Dimovski | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0

Source: Soccerway[30]

## Coaching staff

[edit]

Vicki Linton returned for a second season at Melbourne Victory. Michael Edwards acted as an assistant for several matches before taking control of the 12 November match against Canberra United while Linton was coaching the Australia women's national under-17 soccer team at the 2011 AFC U-16 Women's Championship in China.[31][32]

## Awards

[edit]

* W-League Fair Play Award[33]
* W-League Young Player of the Year: Ashley Brown[33]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ O'Meara, Patrick (14 February 2011). "Victory coach pleased Despite 5-1 finals defeat". Melbourne Leader. News Limited.
2. ^ "Victory routed". Herald Sun. News Limited. 7 February 2011. p. 79.
3. ^ Polkinghorne, David (15 June 2011). "Quest for female coaches". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media.
4. ^ "Victory off to winning start". The Women's Game. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
5. ^ "W-League: Victory grabs glory". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
6. ^ "W-League import gets Sydney FC home". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. AAP. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
7. ^ "Sydney seal it late". The Women's Game. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
8. ^ "Sydney edge out Melbourne". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
9. ^ "Victory rout Reds". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
10. ^ Kerry, Craig (3 December 2011). "Barbieri battles barbs". Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media.
11. ^ Rowe, Alex (4 December 2011). "Two goals from Taylor finish Jets' chances". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media.
12. ^ "Taylor topples Jets". The Women's Game. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
13. ^ Ormond, Aidan (2 December 2011). "Dumped Bubs Eyes Record Crowd At Victory Clash". Australian FourFourTwo. Retrieved 8 October 2020 - via FTBL.com.au.
14. ^ Cook, Jonathan (8 December 2011). "Pair axed after training punch-up". The West Australian. p. 66\. "Two players from the Perth Glory women's team have been axed after a physical altercation. The West Australian understands Norwegian Lisa-Marie Woods and New Zealand international Emma Kete had a training ground bust-up, which blew up again at their shared accommodation."
15. ^ Correia, Chris (17 April 2012). "Victory trounce Perth". FootballAustralia.com.au. Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
16. ^ "Canberra leave it late". The Women's Game. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
17. ^ "W-League: Jets to miss finals". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
18. ^ "Victory topple Adelaide, Canberra loom". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
19. ^ Ormond, Aidan (13 January 2012). "Jodie Taylor Targets Victory Blitz". Australian FourFourTwo. Retrieved 8 October 2020 - via FTBL.com.au.
20. ^ "W-League: Victory sees off Adelaide". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Pellizzeri, Teo (18 October 2011). "Victory looks to youth for W-League success". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
22. ^ a b Kerry, Craig (24 October 2011). "Barbieri not the retiring type". Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
23. ^ "Victory release Barbieri". The Women's Game. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
24. ^ a b c Ormond, Aidan (21 October 2011). "Dynamic Victory Strike Duo To be Unleashed". Australian FourFourTwo. Retrieved 8 October 2020 - via FTBL.com.au.
25. ^ Reynolds, Ryan (13 October 2011). "Another Victory for Spiranovic clan". The Geelong Advertiser. News Limited. p. 38.
26. ^ Auciello, Michael (1 December 2011). "Spiranovic sets sights on home start". The Geelong Advertiser. News Limited.
27. ^ "Overseas stars to play for W-League". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. AAP. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
28. ^ "Canberra United snares Snez back from Melbourne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
29. ^ "Westfield W-League 2011/12 draw announced". A-Leagues. 27 September 2011.
30. ^ "Melbourne Victory - Squad - 2011/2012". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
31. ^ Ross, Julius (15 November 2011). "Debutant coach in Victory of sorts". The Mercury. Hobart: News Limited.
32. ^ "Young Matildas miss 2012 World Cup". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. AAP. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
33. ^ a b "Westfield W-League Award Winners". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Melbourne Victory FC (A-League Women) seasons

* 2008–09
* 2009
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

2011–12 in Australian soccer

« 2010–11

2012–13 »

| National leagues|

* A-League
* National Youth League
* W-League

|

State leagues|

* NSW Premier League
* South Australian Super League
* Victorian Premier League
* WA Premier Division

International

Asian competitions|

* Champions League (2011, 2012)

National teams|

| Men's|

* Results (2011, 2012)
* 2011 AFC Asian Cup (Group C)

|

Women's|

* Results
* 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

Club seasons

A-League|

* Adelaide United
* Brisbane Roar
* Central Coast Mariners
* Gold Coast United
* Melbourne Heart
* Melbourne Victory
* Newcastle Jets
* Perth Glory
* Sydney FC
* Wellington Phoenix

W-League|

* Adelaide United
* Brisbane Roar
* Canberra United
* Melbourne Victory
* Newcastle Jets
* Perth Glory
* Sydney FC

* A-League transfers
* W-League transfers

*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Wins
*[D]: Draws
*[L]: Losses
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Win %]: Winning percentage
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pts]: Points