A whole host of Ninja A-League stars past and present have been nominated for the 2026 PFA Footballer of the Year and Young Footballer of the Year awards.
After another blistering season in front of goal which helped Melbourne City secure the 2025/26 Premiership Championship double, Matildas ace Holly McNamara is one of six players nominated for the top prize.
McNamara claimed consecutive Ninja A-League Golden Boots, with her form subsequently earning her a move to English Women’s Super League side Everton.
The 23-year-old joins Matildas teammates and A-Leagues graduates Sam Kerr, Alanna Kennedy, Winonah Heatley, Ellie Carpenter and Steph Catley on the six player shortlist.
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The PFA Young Footballer of the Year shortlist is also stocked full of A-Leagues players past and present.
Five of the six player shortlist featured in the Ninja A-League last season including 2025/26 Julie Dolan Medal Winner and Matildas midfielder Isabel Gomez.
Now 24, Gomez enjoyed a stellar individual campaign during the eligibility period and as such, earned herself a move overseas to join Danish side FC Rosengård.
Reigning Ninja A-League Young Player of the Year and New Zealand international Pia Vlok is on the list as is Western Sydney Wanderers’ prodigious young talent Talia Younis.
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A double winning season with Melbourne City has seen Leticia McKenna earn her spot on the shortlist alongside Sydney FC record breaker Willa Pearson, whilst Matildas and Brighton defender Charlize Rule is also named.
All nominees were selected based on performances between July 2025 and June 2026 in both club and international competitions including the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
The nominees were selected by an expert panel of former players and media representatives with the overall winners to be announced following a PFA Member vote.
PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year
Previous Winners: Steph Catley (2025, 2024, 2020), Sam Kerr (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2013), Ellie Carpenter (2021), Lydia Williams (2016, 2012), Elise Kellond-Knight (2015, 2011), Katrina Gorry (2014), Servet Uzunlar (2010)
PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year
Previous Winners: Mary Fowler (2025, 2024, 2022), Charlotte Grant (2023), Ellie Carpenter (2021, 2020), Karly Roestbakken (2019), Alex Chidiac (2018, 2017)
