Matildas nominated for PFA Players' Awards 2021

Six Matildas have been rewarded for remarkable individual seasons with nominations for the PFA Players' Awards 2021. 

Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Dylan Holmes all received nominations for the Women's Footballer of the Year, while Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin are the four nominees for the Women's Young Footballer of the Year award. 

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Kerr, Carpenter and Holmes, who are on the four-player shortlist alongside W-League star, Michelle Heyman, have all been enjoying playing highly competitive football overseas. 

Kerr, who recently became the Matildas all-time leading goal scorer, has been in blistering form with English side Chelsea, bagging the FA WSL Golden Boot with 21 goals, helping Chelsea claim the FA Women's Super League title and a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League final.

Carpenter thrived at French superstars Olympique Lyonnais, playing 18 matches and bagging one goal.

Ellie won the prestigious AFC Best Women’s Player of 2020, edging out Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr for the award.

The young defender impressed in her first full season with OL, being nominated for  Best Young Player and selected on the Team of the Season. 

Ellie Carpenter playing against PSG


Dylan Holmes recently made the move from hometown club Adelaide United, joining reigning Damallsvenskan champions in Sweden BK Häcken. Her season playing for the Reds in the W-League impressed the Swedish giants, scoring 3 goals in her 10 appearances. 

 

In the Young Women's Football of the Year category, four members of the squad that represented Australia at Tokyo 2020 are in contention. 

Carpenter had a standout Olympic Games campaign, the defender has been nominated for both Women's Footballer of the Year and Young Women's Footballer of the Year. 

Mary Fowler's performance at her first Olympic Games was one to remember, scoring in our thrilling win over Great Britain in the quarter-finals. Fowler's time at French side Montpellier HSC has seen her flourish. The 2020/21 season saw the young forward make 22 appearances, netting five goals. 

Mary Fowler


Cooney-Cross impressed with W-League side Melbourne Victory, winning Young Footballer of the Year and helping Victory claim their second championship with a stunning goal in the 120th minute. Kyra's form was awarded with a call-up to her first Olympic Games. 

Finally, Courtney Nevin, who only just made her debut for the Matildas in June alongside best friend and fellow nominee, Cooney-Cross.

Nevin's reliability and dangerous cross into the box saw her a regular starter at home side Western Sydney Wanderers. 

KCC x Nevin

The recipients of each award will be revealed in the coming weeks.