Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have revealed their Ninja A-League Team of the Season and it’s a side packed full of Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix stars.
The squad – which is voted for by members of the PFA – consists of 18 players plus a Head Coach to form a starting side and substitutes.
Fresh off capturing a third consecutive Premiership and then defeating rivals Melbourne Victory in the semi-finals, Premiers Melbourne City have four representatives in the squad.
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City captain Rebekah Stott polled highest in the voting and she’s joined by Matildas ace and Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara, whilst midfielder Leticia McKenna and forward Aideen Keane both earned a spot on the bench.
Meanwhile fellow grand finalists Wellington Phoenix have SIX players in the squad with Nix boss Bev Priestman also named as the team’s Head Coach.
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A-Leagues Champion Brooke Nunn forms part of a trio in attack, Nix teammates Grace Jale and Pia Vlok are deployed in midfield and defender Mackenzie Barry features in defence -goalkeeper Victoria Esson and defender Marisa van der Meer were voted on the bench.
Perth Glory’s Teresa Morrissey was the players’ pick for goalkeeper, Brisbane Roar are
represented by Aimee Medwin and Daisy Brown, Adelaide United by defender Ella
Tonkin, and Central Coast Mariners by Isabel Gomez and Annalise Rasmussen, and
Melbourne Victory by Claudia Bunge and Rhianna Pollicina.
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“To be voted by your peers in the PFA Team of the Season is one of the biggest honours
you can receive as a player, and to be named captain is even more meaningful,” said Melbourne defender Stott, who features in the PFA’s Team of the Season for the third year running.
“The players are the ones you compete against every week, so to earn that level of
respect from them makes this recognition really special.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of an incredible team at Melbourne City, and I wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates, coaches and staff.
About the PFA’s Ninja A-League Team of the Season
The team comprises of a 4-3-3 formation (although does not necessarily reflect the true starting XI position of each player, with seven substitutes on the bench.
All selected players received the most votes among their peers by PFA A-League Women members at the conclusion of the regular season. The members also voted on their coach of the season.
The inaugural PFA A-League Team of the Season was announced in 2009 and has been revealed annually in the A-Leagues Finals Series. Based on peer recognition, selection in the PFA Team of the Season remains one of the highest accolades a professional footballer can receive in Australia.
At the end of each season, PFA members from the A-Leagues are asked to vote on their best XI.
The composition of the team is based on the number of votes tallied for each player in each position, with the substitutes bench comprising those players who finished below those in the starting XI positions. The player with the most votes is determined the Team of the Season’s captain.
