After the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup break and the commencement of the A-League Women’s competition on 19 November, the nominees for the A-League Austraffic Player of the Month awards have been revealed.

Due to the break in the A-League Men competition and the late-November start of the A-League Women, the monthly award has been combined across November and December for both competitions.

Check out the nominees below.

A-League Women

Emina Ekic (Melbourne City FC)

In her first A-League Women season, Ekic has been an outstanding addition to Dario Vidosic’s side. The American forward, on loan from National Women’s Soccer League outfit Racing Louisville FC, has made an immediate impact for City, scoring four goals and delivered one assist in her six appearances.

Those goals and performances have propelled City to five wins and into the top three on the A-League Women ladder, although Ekic sustained a fractured fibula which has unfortunately ruled her out for the remainder of the season, in a huge blow for player and club.

Maria Jose Rojas (Melbourne City FC)

Ekic’s Chilean teammate Rojas also scored four goals during the November/December period, having joined the club on an injury-replacement contract for New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson.

Alongside Ekic, the former Sydney FC striker has wasted no time in making an impact, with her contribution helping to elevate City into the top three teams and Premiers Plate contention.

Casey Dumont (Melbourne Victory)

Dumont, who won the A-League Women Goalkeeper of the Year last season, continued her fine form during November and December.

The custodian made 25 saves in her six appearances in November and December, helping Victory secure four wins in six outings. 

Rylee Baisden (Perth Glory)

While Perth Glory has secured just one win this season, a shining light for the West Australians has been Baisden, who has scored four goals and contributed an assist in five appearances in November and December.

Having signed with Glory from NWSL side North Carolina Courage, Baisden’s previous stint in the A-League Women delivered three goals in 11 appearances for Brisbane Roar during the 2019/20 campaign. Unfortunately the American striker suffered a season-ending ACL injury in her last match, ruling her out for the remainder of the season with Glory.

Sydney Cummings (Western United)

A central figure in the Western United’s defence, American Sydney Cummings has been critical to Western’s perfect start to the season, with the defender helping secure four wins in four matches in November and December for the green and black.

During the team’s inaugural campaign, Cummings has scored twice – against Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United – while helping secure a clean sheet in a Melbourne Derby win over Victory.

A-League Men 

Jordan Bos (Melbourne City FC)

A product of Melbourne City’s academy, Bos has impressed for the league leaders in what is likely to be the 20-year-old’s breakout campaign. Having featured in five matches during November and December, Bos has delivered one assist, but it has been his defensive qualities, his speed and endeavour and technical skill that has turned heads.

Jason Cummings (Centra Coast Mariners)

With four goals in seven appearances in November and December, Cummings helped to drive the Mariners fortunes with the Scottish-Australian’s contribution vital to four wins for the yellow and blue during the past two months. The 27-year-old scored twice on two separate occasions against the Newcastle Jets, before netting a New Years Eve brace against Victory.

Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners)

Assisting the Mariners’ rise up the A-League Men’s ladder at the opposite end of the pitch is Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak, who has emerged as a no-nonsense defender for the Gosford-based team.

Helping to provide a level of defensive stability, Kaltak has offered goal-saving heroics on the line as well as two assists for his teammates, with his performances during this season earning him a new long-term contract with the Mariners.

Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City FC)

The A-League’s in-form striker continued to find the net on regular occasion either side of his duties a the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Socceroos, with five goals in four outings. That included a brace in a 4-0 thrashing of Perth Glory and singles against Sydney FC, Mariners and Jets. The Socceroo striker now has 13 goals in 11 appearances in total this campaign. 

Carlo Armiento (Brisbane Roar)

One of the best young talents in the A-League Men this season, Armiento scored three goals in five appearances in November and December, including the A-League Men Goal of the Month for December.

Following a lengthy period on the sidelines last season with a knee injury, Armiento has returned to career-best form to help Brisbane into the top six and finals contention.

About Austraffic

Founded in 1983 (as Australasian Traffic Surveys), Austraffic has undertaken thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Austraffic’s systems and expertise delivers quality data that meets the customer’s needs. Their offices are located throughout Australia, and their traffic engineering and information technology specialists assist customers with the design, analysis and presentation of surveys.