Melbourne City FC will be back in action in the Westfield W-League on Sunday afternoon when it takes on Newcastle for the first time this season.
This fixture will be played at Kingston Heath (the home of Bentleigh Greens) and will kick-off at 4.05pm.
Tickets are still available for City’s second last home game of the season, click here to get yours now!
Not only will this be the first meeting between these clubs this season, it will also mark the first W-League meeting of two of Australia’s brightest young defenders.
City’s Tori Tumeth and Newcastle’s Tessa Tamplin are just a day apart in age, both celebrating their 20th birthday’s last week.
Tamplin has the edge in terms of experience, with this being her third season at the level and also having played and started in every game for the Jets last season.
Tumeth in contrast is in her first W-League season with the former Sydney University defender impressing so far in her time at the Club.
Congratulations to Sarah Cain, Margot Robinne and Tori Tumeth who will all make their @WLeague debuts! Go well girls 💪 https://t.co/XZ9I1MNSuF
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 29, 2020
The defender has split her time between playing centrally and as a full-back throughout the season and has shown a versatility and willingness to play anywhere.
Both defenders have appeared in all nine of their teams matches this season and have started all but one with Tamplin playing an extra 29 total minutes.
Tumeth has made 19 clearances and three blocks in her first W-League season, compared to the Tamplin who has made 22 and five respectively.
The Wanderers lead after 45 minutes in Dandenong.#CmonCity #MCYvWSW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/LCa7djTcac
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 11, 2021
The City defender has the edge in terms of interceptions with 18 to her name for the season, Tamplin on the other hand has made 13.
The more experienced Jets defender does boast a higher tackle win rate and also a slightly higher duel win rate – although Tumeth has been involved in 88 compared to just 38 for Tamplin.
Both players sit around the 64% mark in terms of passing accuracy but Tumeth sees more of the ball, averaging 36.9 passes per 90 minutes compared to Tamplin’s 28.8.
The two defenders sit on four key passes apiece, although Tamplin has also recorded an assist with one of those, something Tumeth is yet to do in her short career so far.
