Meg’s magic touch burning NPL rivals
A STINT with US football powerhouse Washington Spirit has transformed Meg McElligott into the NPL Women’s (NPLW) most lethal striker, but the Gold Coast United recruit insists she has only scratched the surface of her potential.
Having joined United after a successful 2017 season with the Spirit’s second-tier side, the 22-year-old Varsity Lakes resident has torn her NPLW rivals to shreds to sit top of the goalscoring tally, with 18 in eight games.
A product of Port Macquarie, McElligott will enter tomorrow’s battle with former side Souths United coming off her second six-goal haul, against Western Pride in Round 9 last weekend.
While happy with her form, she believes she can take her game to another level.
“There’s many areas I can get better and my eyes are always open to learning new things,” McElligott said.
“Women’s football over there (in the US) is super professional so we were treated pretty well.
“I learnt a lot and we trained with the top squad as well so I was playing with players from the US national side.
“You didn’t get much time on the ball and the passing was very quick so I think it worked on aspects of my game that I’ve never had to work on.
“I’m loving this team and it’s really good to be back playing (here). This team is very young but very talented and I’m enjoying being able to be a role model for these girls.
“I haven’t set too many (goals) this year, I just want to have a productive season. I Rd 1: 0 goals v Mitchelton Rd 2: 2 goals v Easts
Rd 3: 2 goals v Lions
Rd 5: 6 goals v SWQ
Rd 6: 2 goals v Mudgeeraba Rd 7: 0 goals v Brisbane Roar Rd 8: 0 goals v The Gap Rd 9: 6 goals v Pride think I’m just in a confident position and am comfortable with where I am. I’m bringing out the player I can be.”
McElligott moved to the Coast in 2015, making her NPLW debut for Palm Beach before following coach Gary French to Souths United the following year and scoring 21 goals in 15 games.
In the final stages of a Bachelor of Sports Development, she will again look to build her experience abroad at the end of the season.
“I would go anywhere and nothing is confirmed yet but I definitely want to go to the UK,” she said.
United are eighth ahead of the 4pm battle with ladderleading Souths at Runcorn.
Buoyed by a midweek visit from former Olympian Jana Pittman, 12th-placed Mudgeeraba will look to snap a three-game losing streak away to finals hopefuls Moreton Bay United at 5pm tomorrow.
The Wallabies have four points from eight games and are coming off a 7-0 loss to Lions FC.
In the men’s NPL, Gold Coast United can stay in touch with the top four with victory away to Lions at 7pm tonight.