Team of the Year

Perth Glory striker Kate Gill lead the pack in goals this season | TWG

With the best season to date completed, picking the Team of the Year is a challenging task. Editor, and self confessed football tragic, Ann Odong attempted the job.

There have been so many superb performances and players that picking just 11 has caused much angst, especially in a number of positions. Although Top 4 dominant, in the end it came down to performances and influence.

Disclaimer over the team is as follows:

Brianna Davey (Melbourne Victory): This was the tough one as the two standout 'keepers this season were Davey and Carly Telford.  In the end Davey just pipped the Englishwoman (through no fault of her own) with excellent performances late in the season and in the finals series. Commanding in her area and first rate shot stopper, Davey also played the "sweeper" role with aplomb.

Caitlin Foord (Sydney FC):  It wasn't Foord's best season on the back of a hectic 18 months but when it mattered she demonstrated why she is still Australia's best right full back.  All the usual characteristics of her play were on display; tenacious tracking, niggling marking and marauding forward runs.

Renee Rollason (Sydney FC): One of Sydney's top goalscorers in Season Four, injuries necessitated Rollason's move to the back.  It took her a number games to acclimatise but once she did, Rollason was a commanding physical presence, well organised and occasionally followed her attacking instinct to push up the field.

Maika Ruyter-Hooley (Melbourne Victory):  A true quiet achiever, Rutyer-Hooley frustrated many an attacker with her close checking and timed to perfection tackling (well except for that grand final mishap but she is forgiven).  With a surprising turn of pace, Ruyter-Hooley is a versatile defender to mark the quick and pacy or the hold up striker.

Stephanie Catley (Melbourne Victory): Employed in the wing back position, Catley's previous life as a striker (aren't most of our defenders!) served her well.  As a defender her physical attributes came to the fore; the big engine, tackling timing, tracking. While moving up the park her technical skills shone; dribbling, evasion and nicely weighted crosses.

Teresa Polias (Sydney FC): Polias curbed her attacking nature to anchor the midfield and protect the back four.  Polias was time and again the second player into a contest or the instigator of an attack.

Petra Larsson (Melbourne Victory):  Again a difficult decision between Larsson and Perth Glory's Aivi Luik. Both anchored their midfields and displayed great ability to read the play and breakdown opposition attacks.  In the end it was the Swedes attacking threat and crucial goals that made the difference, particularly after the loss of Fishlock towards the end of the season.

Sam Kerr (Sydney FC):  The Kerr of old was back this season; the fearless attacker who is never afraid to run at a defence at pace.  Out on the wing, she left many a full back in her shadow in anchoring the Sydney attack.  Kerr also added to her arsenal headed goals which was on display from the first to the last game.

Jessica Fishlock (Melbourne Victory):  She only played six matches but such was the impact of pacy attacking midfielder, whether eyeing up the goals or providing that defence unlocking pass.

Tameka Butt (Brisbane Roar): After shaking off early season injuries, Butt was a destructive force in the back end of the season finishing with 11 goals.  It is no coincidence that Brisbane's run to the premiership was when a fully fit Butt was available.

Kate Gill (Perth Glory):  With her timed to perfection runs, Gill was a consistent goalscorer this season and finished on top of the pile with 13 goals.  Equally as important was Gill's role as provider to strike partners De Vanna, D'Vidio and Sutton forming collectively the most potent attack in the competition (34 goals).

Honourable Mentions: Carly Telford (Perth Glory), Nicole Sykes (Canberra United), Erika Elze (Brisbane Roar), Olivia Kennedy (Western Sydney Wanderers), Aivi Luik (Perth Glory), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar), Katrina Gorry (Brisbane Roar), Hayley Raso (Canberra United), Louise Fors (Western Sydney Wanderers), Emily Gielnik (Brisbane Roar)