WATCH: Dub Zone provides a preview of this weekend’s Ninja A-League Grand Final between Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners.
Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has unveiled its annual player-selected Ninja A-League Team of the Season, just before this Sunday’s Grand Final that will see Melbourne Victory go head-to-head with Central Coast Mariners.
The squad, consisting of 18 players, includes four who will participate in the final. However, it’s dominated by the undefeated Premiers, Melbourne City, with seven players making the cut. Leading the team is Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara, who has been elected as captain.
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Michael Matricciani from City has been recognised as the Coach of the Team, honouring his debut season as a professional head coach. The selection comprises a starting XI and seven substitutes, based on the votes collected from PFA members at the end of each season.
Votes determine the composition of the team in each position and the substitutes, which include players who received fewer votes than those in the starting XI. The player with the highest votes is named captain.
Claudia Jenkins, the Adelaide United goalkeeper, has earned her spot as the starting goalkeeper, supported by a defence that includes Rebekah Stott (MCY), Taylor Otto (MCY), Kayla Morrison (MVC), and Alexia Apostolakis (MCY).
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This marks Stott’s third inclusion in the Team of the Season, while Otto made the bench last season.
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Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop partners in midfield with Central Coast Mariners’ Isabel Gomez and City’s Laura Hughes.
It comes as no surprise that McNamara topped the vote tally; she is joined in the attacking line by Ninja A-League’s all-time top scorer Michelle Heyman and Adelaide newcomer Erin Healy, who has had an outstanding debut season in South Australia.
“I am incredibly thankful to be chosen as captain of the PFA A-League Women Team of the Season by my peers,” McNamara expressed.
“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support from my teammates at Melbourne City. They’ve allowed me to thrive in this incredible squad, especially since my return from injury.
“As a team, we’ve accomplished numerous outstanding feats this year: winning the Premiership, remaining unbeaten for 24 consecutive matches, and standing on the brink of success in Asia.
“Being acknowledged by the broader player community and joining the ranks of so many remarkable past captains is a true honour.”
On the bench, Victory’s Alex Chidiac marks an unprecedented fifth appearance in the Ninja A-League Team of the Season, matching Australian legend Clare Polkinghorne’s record.
She is joined by teammate Courtney Newbon, Adelaide’s Fiona Worts, Lucia Leon, and Ella Tonkin, the retiring Wellington Phoenix stalwart Annalie Longo, as well as City’s Leticia McKenna.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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