The players each W-League club must retain next season

In the months leading up to the 2020/21 W-League season, each club will be reviewing their roster as they formulate a plan of attack for the new campaign.

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Perth Glory - Morgan Andrews

The biggest question mark surrounding Perth Glory at the outset of the 2019/20 W-League season was a Sam Kerr shaped hole in the heart of attack.

Kerr’s absence was enough to change the complexion of the entire league, and after an indifferent start Perth looked doomed to an inglorious slide from grand finalists to the bottom of the table.

Into the void stepped Morgan Andrews.

The OL Reign midfielder was far from the most heralded import at the outset of the season but her rich vein of form in the second half of Perth’s campaign led to an instant reversal in their fortunes. Her seven goals, including a brace against eventual grand finalists Sydney FC, led to a share in the Golden Boot. An impressive strike rate from a midfielder who is yet to find the back of the net for her NWSL side.

While they still missed out on a finals appearance, Andrews’ performances laid the foundation for what a post-Kerr Perth might look like. Securing her services should be the first step in a prospective climb back up the ladder in 2020/21.

Sydney FC - Sofia Huerta

Sofia Huerta has established herself as one of the premier imports in the W-League. The NWSL journeywoman has become a regular in the Australian topflight, playing both with Adelaide and then as part of Sydney FC’s 2018/19 Championship winning team.

An international player with USA and formerly Mexico, Huerta is known for her versatility, used both as an outside back and a midfielder pushing forward to score. She was a decisive influence on the pitch, helping guide a youthful attack of Remy Siemsen and Princess Ibini to the club’s third consecutive Grand Final appearance. She punctuated her 2019/20 W-League campaign with three goals and one assist.

Huerta has recently joined OL Reign in the NWSL for the 2020 season. Sydney FC will be hoping they can again secure her services on loan and go one better by winning the Championship next season.

Western Sydney Wanderers - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Western Sydney Wanderers had been perennial W-League cellar-dwellers, but a raft of big-name signings including USA national team striker Lynn Williams showed a clear intent to reverse that trend.

The big names – Williams, Kristen Hamilton and Denise O’Sullivan – all shone as expected in a team that reached its maiden finals series. But it was an Australian youngster who stole the spotlight.

Acquired in the off-season from Melbourne Victory where she had struggled for minutes, the then 17-year-old Kyra Cooney-Cross had an instant impact for her new club. She scored the winning goal from a stunning long-range free kick in the dying minutes of her debut appearance against Adelaide.

She went on to score three more times for the Wanderers and was a constant threat from the midfield – never looking out of place amongst her more experienced teammates.

With a growing number of appearances and goals for the Australian national team at both U-17 and U-20 level, clubs both here and abroad will likely be circling for Cooney-Cross’s signature.

Western Sydney Wanderers will be keen to secure her services for another year lest she joins the ever-growing number of Australian prospects seeking an opportunity in Europe.