The Westfield W-League is in its 10th year in the 2017/18 Season and as part of the celebrations we’re looking back at some of the best players to have featured in the competition.
As well as giving fans the chance to vote on their Team of the Decade, we asked some Westfield W-League legends to pick their all-time XI’s.
Tom Sermanni, Sarah Walsh and Julie Dolan are names synonymous with women’s football and the Westfield W-League, and they’ve nominated their Team of the Decade.
Take a look at who they picked below and keep an eye out for your chance to vote on your favourite players by position before we reveal the fan’s pick for the best Westfield W-League XI.
TOM SERMANNI
The Scottish-born coach spent seven years in charge of the Westfield Matildas between 2005 and 2012.
He enjoyed some excellent results as Australian boss, guiding the Westfield Matildas to the quarter-finals at both the 2007 and 2011 FIFA World Cups.
AUSTRALIAN XI
GK: Lydia Williams
DEF: Clare Polkinghorne, Laura Alleway, Ellie Brush, Steph Catley
MID: Sally Shipard, Teresa Polias, Kylie Ledbrook
ATT: Michelle Heyman, Sam Kerr, Lisa De Vanna
SERMANNI’S INTERNATIONAL XI
GK: Nadine Angerer
DEF: Arin Gilliland, Ariane Hingst, Lauren Barnes, Yukari Kinga
MID: Kim Little, Jess Fishlock, Christine Nairn
ATT: Sofia Huerta, Jodie Taylor, Megan Rapinoe
SARAH WALSH
A brilliant former Westfield Matildas striker, Walsh scored 31 goals in 70 appearances in the green and gold.
In the Westfield W-League she enjoyed stints at both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
GK: Lydia Williams
DEF: Clare Polkinghorne, Ellie Brush, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley
MID: Heather Garriock, Teresa Polias, Tameka Butt
ATT: Lisa De Vanna, Michelle Heyman, Caitlin Foord
BENCH: Melissa Hudson (nee Barbieri), Elise Kellond-Knight, Sam Kerr, Leena Khamis
JULIE DOLAN
Dolan is recognised as a pioneer of women’s football in Australia and is true footballing royalty. She became Australia’s inaugural captain at just 16, leading the team out against New Zealand in 1979.
And every year the Julie Dolan Medal is presented to the best player in the Westfield W-League.
GK: Lydia Williams
DEF: Cheryl Salisbury, Clare Polkinghorne, Laura Alleway, Collette McCallum
MID: Joey Peters, Elise Kellond-Knight, Emily van Egmond, Sally Shipard
ATT: Lisa De Vanna, Sam Kerr
