As 2019 draws to a close, ushering in the end of a decade, Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has recognised the achievements of professional players by composing five ‘Teams of the Decade’ across Australia’s domestic competitions and national teams.
The five line-ups recognise the incredible contribution players have made to their clubs and Australian football between 2010-2019 and cover two A-League teams (All-Australian and International) and the W-League, Matildas and Socceroos.
On Thursday, the PFA released the W-League Team of the Decade, featuring the highest-capped Australian W-League players. Sydney FC’s Teresa Polias is the player with the most appearances over the period between 2010-2019, having accused 120 appearances in the competition.
Melbourne City left-back Steph Catley makes the squad in the left-back position with 113 appearances, while PFA Executive member and Perth Glory defender Kim Carrol (101), Brisbane Roar’s stalwart Clare Polkinghorne (108) and Teigan Allen (102) completing the back-line.
PFA Executive member and Melbourne City shot-stopper has the highest number of W-League appearances (88), just ahead of McKenzie Arnold (85).
Joining Polias in the midfield are Brisbane’s duo Katrina Gorry (99) and Tameka Yallop (104) who is also on the PFA Executive.
Matildas trio Caitlin Foord (102), Emily Gielnik (97) and Sam Kerr (83 appearances, 68 goals) make up the front three. Kerr is selected in the starting XI ahead of Michelle Heyman (101) due to having scored the most goals during the decade.
Gemma Simon (100), Laura Alleway (99), Alanna Kennedy (98) and Marianna Tabain (98) sit on the bench.
Each team has been selected based on the number of appearances players have accrued for their club*, conforming to the dominant formation of the decade (1-4-3-3), while also acknowledging the exploits of the top goal-scorers in the domestic competitions and for the national teams.
The PFA has based the composition of each team on the information provided by the Aussie Footballers web archive, created and maintained by recently appointed Research & Insights Manager, Tony Persoglia. The online player archive tracks player appearances since the inception of the W-League and A-League and also includes the number of appearances of national team players from the modern era.
The teams comprise eleven players with three forwards, three midfielders, four defenders and a goalkeeper, and includes the player with the highest number of goals scored within that decade occupying their respective position within that formation. The bench is comprised of six substitutes, including the second-highest capped goalkeeper and five outfield players.
*While two rounds remain in the A-League and W-League before the beginning of New Year, there will likely be no impact on the overall composition of the teams selected.
