Superstar striker Sam Kerr became the Westfield W-League’s all-time leading scorer when she two goals for Perth Glory against Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday night.
The Westfield Matildas spearhead finished off a pass from Rachel Hill and then planted a superb header into the net to improve her career tally to 65 goals and overtake the 63 scored by former Canberra United favourite and current Adelaide United centre-forward Michelle Heyman.
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Kerr is now on course to add a second successive Westfield W-League Golden Boot to a trophy packed with honours accrued both domestically and abroad.
Here, we assess the best numbers behind the 11 sublime seasons which have culminated in the 25-year-old climbing to the top of the scoring charts.
Western Sydney put to the sword
There is a certain level of synchronicity that Kerr, having closed in on the record mark in recent weeks, scaled the summit against Western Sydney.
Wanderers have for several seasons been at the mercy of the Glory sharpshooter, who has put more goals past them than against any other side.
Of course, no opponents are immune to Kerr’s knack of finding the net – even Perth!
The Fremantle-born forward notched twice against her current club during a spell at Sydney FC earlier in her career.
Newcastle Jets (11 goals) have been her second favourite team to face, while Adelaide United and Canberra United have been on the receiving end of eight apiece.
Those sides might like a consultation session with Brisbane Roar; excluding Glory, the Queenslanders are the only foundation outfit to have restricted Kerr to fewer than six goals (five).
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Aerial ability complements second-half specials
Kerr’s explosive pace and scoring nous deny opposition defenders the luxury of switching off, particularly during the decisive final 15 minutes of matches.
No fewer than 14 of her 65 goals have been scored towards the death, her second most prolific period.
It’s the same amount she has scored in the 15 minutes directly before half-time (14 goals).
In all, Kerr has tallied 36 of her 65 goals during second halves, a return that serves to highlight her impressive physical and psychological capacities.
This season has also seen the two-time NWSL Golden Boot winner develop into a more rounded threat in the penalty area.
Kerr had registered one headed goal throughout the two previous Westfield W-League campaigns combined, but already boasts five this term.
Her other six goals in 2018/19 have all come from her right foot, having notched twice using her left in both 2016/17 and 2017/18.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982422843001
Stronger with experience
Kerr has been set for stardom ever since her international debut as a 15-year-old and, even after two Julie Dolan Medals, continues to improve a decade later.
The Glory captain is well in contention to make this her most successful individual Westfield W-League season by surpassing the 13 goals she scored last term.
Excluding an injury-hit 2015/16, Kerr has notably not dipped below double figures in any of her past four campaigns.
Rachel Hill’s arrival as an attacking foil at an entertaining and attack-minded Perth has played a part in that scoring consistency – the American has provided 11 assists for Kerr, six more than any other team-mate, since the start of the 2016/17 Season.
Now, with yet another momentous personal milestone achieved, one of Australian football’s brightest stars can concentrate solely on leading her club’s quest for silverware.
