Despite already possessing a list of accolades more impressive than her trademark back-flipping goal celebration, Matildas star Sam Kerr continues to raise the ceiling on her achievements.

And with the Tournament of Nations looming, it’s unlikely Kerr will pull the hand break on her outstanding, record-breaking performances.

Following a brilliant 2017 for club and country, Kerr was widely recognised, securing no less than 10 major awards.

After a campaign in the US Women’s National Soccer League and an outstanding contribution to the Matildas, Kerr was named 2017 Australian Sports Woman of the Year, AFC Women’s Player of the Year and picked up the Julie Dolan Medal for a second year running.

In 2018, there’s been no indication that the awards will stop flowing for the energetic Matildas striker.

As early as Australia Day this year, Kerr added another feather to her cap; the striker was named the 2018 Young Australian of the Year. Then came a second consecutive Julie Dolan Medal.

In July, Kerr was named the PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year – also for the second year running. Five days after her PFA honour, Kerr netted a sensational hat-trick in the NSWL for Chicago Red Stars.

In the context of her achievements, a Sam Kerr hat-trick is hardly cause for excitement – such is her goal-scoring regularity – but the treble was significant for multiple reasons.

Kerr’s second goal made her the first player to reach 50 goals in NSWL history. To go one better, Kerr’s third goal made her the first to net three hat tricks in the competition’s history.

Impressively, the hat-trick saw Kerr maintain her leading league tally with eight goals. (Note: Kerr has since scored again – the only goal in a 1-0 win over Seattle Reign on July 15 – to take her season tally to 9 goals)

Amazingly, she won the NSWL Golden Boot last season – along with the league’s Most Valuable Player award – when she tallied a record 17 goals – and is on track to repeat that feat again.

Most recently, Kerr claimed an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) award in Los Angeles last Thursday.

Kerr was named ‘Best International Women’s Soccer Player’. Her male ESPY equivalent? Cristiano Ronaldo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlZmgalhljo/?hl=en&taken-by=samanthakerr20

With this incredible haul of accolades, it remains to be seen what Kerr can achieve and whether she can continue to shatter the ceiling of her achievements.

When the ‘Kerr Show’ arrived during the Tournament of Nations a year ago, Kerr delivered a 32-minute first-half hat-trick against the reigning Asian Champions, Japan.

She capped off the Matildas stunning 6-1 dismantling of Brazil, scoring the final goal of the match to finish the tournament as top goal-scorer.

Will she better her efforts at the 2018 Tournament of Nations? We’ll find out in the next week, but what’s clear is Kerr is not showing any signs of slowing.

Sam Kerr Achievements (2017-18)

  • PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2017, 2018
  • Julie Dolan Medal: 2016-17, 2017-18
  • W-League Golden Boot: 2017-18
  • NWSL Golden Boot Award: 2017
  • NWSL Most Valuable Player Award: 2017
  • NSWL Best XI: 2017
  • Asian Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2017
  • ABC Sport Personality of the Year: 2017
  • Women’s Health Sportswoman of the Year: 2017
  • Young Australian of the Year: 2018
  • ESPY Awards Best International Women’s Soccer Player 2018