To celebrate 10 years of the Westfield W-League, we are giving fans the chance to select a Team of the Decade composed of the best the competition has ever seen.
We’ve undertaken the tough task of settling on a shortlist of players to fill out the team in a 4-3-3 formation.
Read on for the 10 defenders in contention and get voting at the bottom of the page!
Clare Polkinghorne
Three premierships and two Grand Final victories still doesn’t come close to summing up Polkinghorne’s influence on Australian football. The only defender to win the Julie Dolan Medal in Westfield W-League history.
Laura Alleway
Gets better season after season and seems to improve the players around her. Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory have all been better for Alleway’s winning mentality.
Ellie Brush
Now marshalling Western Sydney Wanderers, few players have matched the kind of contribution to a single club that Brush gave to Canberra United. The club’s inaugural captain, she was a driving force in the capture of two championships and three premierships.
Ariane Hingst
Undoubtedly one of the biggest signings in the competition’s history. Capped 173 times by Germany, the versatility and classy Hingst was a huge coup for Newcastle Jets in 2011 and spent the following season at Canberra.
Steph Catley
It’s not easy for defenders to command star billing but Catley has long done that. A true wing-back, the confident and composed left-footer has been integral to the establishment of City’s winning culture.
Alanna Kennedy
The model for a modern centre-back with her exceptional athleticism and world-class ability on the ball. A fixture for the Westfield Matildas, Kennedy has already enjoyed success with both Sydney FC and Perth Glory and has plenty more ahead.
Kim Carroll
Another key pillar of Roar’s early success, the Queenslander has represented her country on more the 50 occasions and provides great experience to Perth Glory.
Teigen Allen
Brilliantly consistent from the moment she stepped into the Sydney FC side that won the Grand Final in her debut season. The energetic full-back went to both the 2011 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup and has returned to the Sky Blues after a successful stint with City.
Lauren Barnes
The American defender has enjoyed some successful stints in the Westfield W-League. Barnes scored in Melbourne Victory’s 2014 grand final success before switching Melbourne club’s and helping City to the title 2016/17 title.
Kate McShea
The Westfield Matildas defender only played two season with Brisbane Roar but her impact was clear to see. Not only did she manage more than 70 international caps, McShea helped guide Roar to the Premiership-Championship double in the 2008-09 campaign.
