Kerr returns to Perth after a year to remember

Sam Kerr could not be accused of laying low in the Westfield W-League off-season.

The star striker is preparing to play her first Westfield W-League game in Perth in more than nine months this weekend but she has clocked up the kilometres, goals and accolades in an outstanding period since.

In fact, since the Glory last played in Western Australia, Kerr has made 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals.

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After wrapping up the Westfield W-League Golden Boot 2017/18 with two goals on the final day of the regular season, Kerr had a brief break before scoring twice for the Westfield Matildas at the Algarve Cup.

More goals in the green and gold followed, with Kerr netting three times in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018.

And while that tournament would ultimately end in final heartbreak to Japan, Kerr kept up her good form in the early stages of the National Women’s Soccer League season for Chicago Red Stars in the United States.

A July hat-trick against her old club, Sky Blue, then triggered a terrific run that saw her score 13 goals in 11 matches.

In the middle of that streak was two more goals for her country, as the Westfield Matildas featured in the Tournament of Nations, and it was no surprise to see her win the NWSL Golden Boot for the second season running.

Sam Kerr v WSW

Kerr finished that campaign with 16 goals in 20 matches before she got the chance to re-charge her batteries – at least for a little bit.

And after three matches without a goal in all competitions – almost a drought by Kerr’s recent standards – the fan favourite was back on the score sheet as the Westfield Matildas beat Chile 5-0 in Newcastle on Tuesday.

That all adds up to an ominous sign for Western Sydney Wanderers, who have to try and stop Kerr at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday evening.

It has been a big year for the 25-year-old, nominated for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Ballon d’Or award and winner of the ESPY award for the best footballer of the year.

And you would not be surprised if there were more highlights to come.