Football Queensland (FQ) is excited to announce this year’s National Premier Leagues Women’s (NPLW) Queensland Team of the Season (TOTS), celebrating the players who made the biggest impact throughout 2019.
How are players selected?
Throughout the season, Football Queensland (FQ) collected coaches’ votes to determine Team of the Week (TOTW) each round. Coaches selected three opposition players each game in the style of a 3-2-1.
At the conclusion of the 2019 NPLW Queensland regular season, head coaches also submitted their Team of the Season selections, featuring the best 11 players of the season in their opinion.
In addition to coaches, NPLW Queensland commentators Simon Smale and Darren Lutton also submitted their Team of the Season selections, featuring the best players of the season in their opinion.
For the following TOTS, player selection was based on a combination of appearances in both the weekly Team of the Week and coach/commentator Team of the Season submissions.
Read more below to find out how each player earned their spot in the 2019 NPLW Queensland Team of the Season.
STARTING XI:
Kaytlyn Dale (Eastern Suburbs): The young Eastern Suburbs shot stopper played a vital role in ensuring her team played Finals football this season, with four of her six clean sheets coming in the last four matches of the regular season. Dale also earned a spot in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Week on seven (7) occasions.
Momo Hayashi (Gold Coast United): The 24-year-old Japanese defender had a strong season for her side, scoring seven goals throughout the year and featuring in the NPLW Queensland TOTW six (6) times in 2019.
Katy Couperus (Capalaba FC): The 23-year-old centre-back scored nine goals in 2019, more than any other defender in the league and earned herself a spot in the TOTW on five (5) occasions.
Eloise Fryer (Gold Coast United): The Gold Coast United skipper was one of her side’s most consistent players in 2019, playing in every match and featuring in the NPLW Queensland TOTS an impressive eight (8) times, more than any other defender in the league.
Cannon Clough (Lions FC): The 23-year-old American had a stellar first season in the NPLW Queensland, helping her side to the Premiership-Championship double with her efforts in defence, contributing to her team conceding the competition’s least number of goals in the regular season. The attacking left-back scored five goals and produced a number of assists for her side, earning herself a Team of the Week appearance six (6) times this year.
Ruth Blackburn (Gap FC): The Gap’s tenacious skipper led by example as always in 2019, scoring an impressive 17 goals in 22 matches to earn herself seven (7) appearances in the TOTW. For the third season in a row, Blackburn has been selected in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Season.
Zoe Lambi (Eastern Suburbs): Last year’s NPLW Queensland Young Player of the Year, Lambi continued her impressive run of form following a move to Eastern Suburbs for the 2019 season. The skillful 20-year-old midfielder showcased her attacking flair, scoring 10 goals for the season to feature in the NPLW Queensland TOTW on seven (7) occasions.
Mariel Hecher (Lions FC): The Lions captain led her side to the Premiership-Championship double in a standout season for the team. The Brazilian workhorse scored a remarkable 21 goals in 22 games and appeared in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Week six (6) times this year.
Rylee Baisden (Moreton Bay United): This year’s NPLW Queensland Golden Boot winner scored an incredible 33 goals in 24 matches to help her side to a Grand Final appearance. The Californian attacker featured in the TOTW ten (10) times, the equal-most number of appearances in 2019.
Tegan Riding (Lions FC): The Lions striker had a remarkable season in 2019, scoring 30 goals in 25 matches to secure second spot in the Golden Boot race. The 25-year-old was one of the league’s standout performers, earning ten (10) appearances in the TOTW, the equal-most number of appearances. For the third consecutive season, Riding has featured in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Season.
Amy Chapman (Souths United): The ever-reliable Souths United forward was a consistent force for her side in 2019, scoring 20 goals in just 22 matches and earning herself eight (8) appearances in TOTW. This marks the former W-League attacker’s second appearance in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Season in as many years.
SUBS:
Coco Majstorovic (Moreton Bay United): The 19-year-old keeper recorded four clean sheets throughout the season and helped her side to a Grand Final appearance. Her shot stopping efforts earned her four (4) appearances in the NPLW Queensland TOTW.
Catherine O’Neill (Lions FC): The Lions defender had a strong 2019 season with the Premiers after taking a year away from the game, featuring four (4) times in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Week.
Stephanie Latham (Capalaba FC): The Bulldogs captain had another impressive season, appearing in the TOTW on six (6) occasions. The commanding midfielder’s selection marks her second appearance in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Season in as many years.
Ali Schaefer (Moreton Bay United): The American attacking midfielder was a consistent threat up front for her side, scoring ten goals and appearing in the NPLW Queensland TOTW on six (6) occasions. In back-to-back seasons, the Moreton Bay midfielder has earned a Team of the Season appearance.
Sharn Freier (Gap FC): The 18-year-old forward was one of her team’s best players this year, scoring 13 goals in only 12 matches. Freier’s efforts earned herself five (5) appearances in the NPLW Queensland Team of the Week.
