Melbourne City FC Captain Steph Catley has been crowned City’s Westfield W-League Player of the Year, as the Club celebrated its historic Championship triumph on Tuesday night.
- Steph Catley is Melbourne City FC W-League Player of the Year.
- Lydia Williams is awarded Melbourne City FC W-League Coach’s Award.
- Jess Fishlock presented with the Melbourne City FC W-League Golden Boot Award.
The celebration, held on a Melbourne CBD rooftop, saw the Matildas full-back receive the award for her outstanding season, during which City become the first team in W-League history to win back-to-back Championship titles.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams was presented with the Coach’s Award for an exceptional season between the posts, while Player-Coach Jess Fishlock collected City’s Golden Boot award after finishing as the Club’s top goal-scorer with eight strikes for the campaign.
All three players were recognised for their significant contributions this season after being named in the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) W-League Team of the Season.
Scott Munn, Melbourne City’s CEO said: “For a team that was launched just two years ago to win back to back Championships is a source of immense pride to Melbourne City FC, and to City Football Group. The contribution made by Steph, Jess and Lydia has been hugely significant, but this historic achievement is also testament to the hard work and commitment by the entire squad and coaching staff.”
Catley featured in all 14 matches this campaign and has been a marvel of consistency at both left-back, and occasionally in midfield, in her first season wearing the captain’s armband.
The 23-year-old demonstrated her all round qualities with a goal in November’s 3-0 Melbourne Derby win at AAMI Park, with the Club’s football department submitting votes after each match of the regular season and Final Series.
Matildas teammate and goalkeeper Williams has been a standout between the posts in her first season at the Club, keeping five clean sheets from her 14 appearances; with two of those coming in the Final Series against Canberra United and Perth Glory.
Williams, 28, capped off a stellar season with her second W-League Championship, in addition to being crowned the 2016 PFA Women’s Player of the Year.
Interim Head Coach Fishlock – who became the first player-coach to win a W-League Championship – enjoyed a prolific goal-scoring campaign from midfield.
After scoring six goals during the regular season, the 30-year-old Welsh midfielder found the back of the net in both the Semi-Final and Grand Final to finish fifth overall in the W-League Golden Boot Standings.
Melbourne City’s Westfield W-League side depart City Football Academy, Melbourne on Wednesday, as the playing squad prepares for their respective off-season playing commitments.
