What can’t be said about our Australians this season within the WSL with ten of our finest exports taking centre stage in one of the premier divisions within women’s football. They’ve provided us with plenty of memories in which we will relish, cup finals and golden boots!
How did they perform all season? Find out below!
Emily Van Egmond
After an undefeated season with Melbourne City and a dominant performance in Olympic qualifying, Emily Van Egmond started strangely at West Ham.
Confusingly for Australian fans, the playmaker was started in the center of defense. Despite being out of position and in a relegation threatened team, Van Egmond was a starting player and was soon able to show what she could do.
After a position shift she finished the season with seven goals in all competitions and exhibited a previously rare ability to score with headers.
Her early season form and match winning performances against Birmingham City and Bristol was rewarded with her loan move being made permanent in January of 2021.
Van Egmond was a key figure in West Ham’s survival and established herself as a versatile and committed team member.
Her first season in London was different from her last in Australia, but a successful one nonetheless.
Mackenzie Arnold
Statistically she was the best goalkeeper in the FAWSL for the 2020/21 season, despite West Ham conceding 39 goals for the campaign the numbers show that it would have been much worse without Arnold’s form.
In 16 games she averaged four saves per 90 minutes and was unbeaten when facing penalty kicks, including two in quick succession on the final day against title hopefuls Manchester City.
Matildas fans have had been heartbroken by penalty shootouts in the last Olympics, World Cup and Asian Cup.
If Arnold can replicate her West Ham form for the national team, things could be very different next time.
Ella Mastrantonio
The former Western Sydney Wanderer played 15 times for Bristol City’s midfield this season.
The team faced a tough task to survive relegation and fell short on the final day but not before “The Maestro” was able to potentially be the hero.
A 95th minute free kick was curled into the most dangerous area. Any touch would have turned it into her third assist of the year, but none was needed. Bristol had a vital equalizer.
Mastrantonio’s individual season was a success. She established herself as a WSL player and earned her first Matildas cap in 13 years.
Chloe Logarzo
One of the Matildas barometers and a proven performer, Chloe Logarzo had a difficult stay in England. Despite scoring four goals in 12 appearances for Bristol she departed Bristol for Kansas City in January
Her departure was due to opportunity more than form. A three year deal in the American league a far better offer than a short term contract in England.
Australia needs an in form and confident Chloe Logarzo. Regular football and a contract security in the U.S could see her back to her best.
Alanna Kennedy
One of Tottenham’s big signings for the season, Alanna Kennedy was a first choice player from the opening day.
She played 19 games out of 22 in the league and scored one goal from a trademark free-kick to go with her one in the F.A Cup. Her curling strike against Manchester United was voted goal of the season by the Tottenham fans.
If there were concerns about Kennedy’s season it was only about how it might impact the Matildas. The first choice Australia center back was deployed exclusively in midfield for Spurs.
Australia needs reliability in defense and depth in midfield. Kennedy has clearly enjoyed and at times excelled in England and her versatility might be a huge asset.
Tottenham’s faith in Kennedy was put in writing with a loan move extended as a permanent full season signing in January.
Hayley Raso
After a combination of a broken-nose and Covid delayed her arrival at Everton, Raso made a quick impression on the Toffees fans.
She assisted the goal that knocked Chelsea out of the F.A Cup and scored a brace against Aston Villa in October.
She scored a hattrick against Brighton to cap off an impressive first season on Merseyside.
Deployed on either flank, up front or at right back throughout the year, Raso made herself an important part of her new club. Her speed, work rate and versatility making her a perfect fit for English football.
Caitlin Foord
In her first full season at Arsenal, Foord took her game to another level. After developing a strong partnership with Vivianne Miedema she scored 10 goals and added five assists.
Foord was used in a variety of attacking roles, her strength and ball control making her a dangerous and unpredictable forward.
Only one player has ever recorded more score involvement in their first season than Foord. Her 2021 year was the best by a rookie since Nicole Rosler in 2013.
It was an incredible season by a player amazingly still improving.
Steph Catley
Initially signed amid much fanfare, Catley was seen as the answer to Arsenal’s problems at left back.
She started the season strong in an impressive debut that nearly saw her score from a free kick that bounced off the crossbar but her luck took a turn.
An unfortunate and worrying concussion was followed by a hamstring injury that kept her out for the majority of the season.
She made her way back onto the field in the closing weeks of the WSL to the relief of Arsenal and Matildas fans, a fit Catley could still be one of the best left backs in the competition.
If there is a silver lining it is that her two-year contract and off-season break has allowed her to recover properly and not rush back.
The best is still ahead for Catley at Arsenal.
Lydia Williams
Injuries and the form of Manuela Zinsberger restricted the Arsenal goalkeeper to nine league appearances for the season.
She was impressive in her limited game time, keeping six clean sheets and becoming a vocal and commanding presence for the defence.
Williams’ one-year deal with Arsenal ends in July. There will be a change in manager and she will want to find regular football to remain the Matilda’s first choice goalkeeper.
Sam Kerr
Where do we start?
The golden boot winner with 21 goals, a hattrick in the league cup final.
Seven assists in the league and two trophies. WSL Champion
It was a spectacular season from a player that might be the best in the world and still improving.
Kerr endured an inconsistent start to the season and pressure from fans and the media to deliver her most prolific year to date.
Her partnership with England’s Fran Kirby was the talk of the season, they combined for 50 goals in all competitions.
All of Kerr’s league goals came from within the penalty box, she used her pace to explode into pockets of space at the perfect time and evade often packed defenses.
Last week, she ended her 2021 season with a wickedly struck half volley and two assists in the F.A Cup.
The Chelsea striker is now deservedly being discussed as one of the greatest Australian footballers of all time.
Image credit – Getty
