Melbourne Victory has been rewarded for its run to the Grand Final with six players named in the PFA W-League Team of the Season.
Kyra Cooney-Cross was named captain of the player-voted squad, with the star attacker one of five Victory players in the starting XI.
Lisa De Vanna, defenders Angela Beard and Kayla Morrison and goalkeeper Gaby Garton are also in the line-up, while Melina Ayres was included on the bench, with the squad voted on based on regular-season performances.
Cooney-Cross received the highest number of votes from her contemporaries.
Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins was also named coach of the squad.
Coach: Jeff Hopkins
The Victory head coach was named boss of the team after leading the club to a third-place finish and into the Grand Final, its first decider since 2013/14.
Melina Ayres
Games: 13
Goals: 8
Assists: 5
Ayres has produced an excellent season, having a direct involvement in 13 goals in 13 games, including the Semi Final. The forward became the second player to score a hat-trick in a finals game with her treble in a 6-2 Semi Final win over Brisbane Roar.
Angela Beard
Games: 13
Goals: 1
Crosses: 61
Victory’s captain has played every minute of the campaign so far, leading the way from left-back. Beard’s 61 crosses are the fourth most in the Westfield W-League, while she also scored her first goal for the club this season.
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Games: 13
Goals: 5
Assists: 4
Back at the club, Cooney-Cross has been superb. Along with her five goals and four assists in 13 games including the Semi Final, she has also created 36 chances, the most in the competition. Her 73 crosses are also a league-high.
Lisa De Vanna
Games: 11
Goals: 3
De Vanna produced a memorable individual goal in the 6-0 Melbourne Derby rout early in the season. A brace followed in the Semi Final and the Westfield Matildas great has led by example in another fine campaign, also having a hand in four other goals.
Gaby Garton
Games: 13
Saves: 42
In her first Westfield W-League season, Garton has impressed. Her 42 saves in 13 games are the equal second most in the league, while she has also kept seven clean sheets.
Kayla Morrison
Games: 13
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Morrison has formed a key central defensive partnership alongside Claudia Bunge, helping the club keep seven clean sheets. The defender also has a goal and two assists this season.
* statistics include Westfield W-League Semi Final
