Sam Kerr may not be returning to the W-League but the superstar has left an undeniable mark on the league and Australian football.
Over a 10 year period, Kerr made her debut for Perth Glory, moved East and won a premiership with Sydney FC, before returning to Glory and becoming one of the best players in the world – a footballing superstar and a global marketing machine.
Here are five of her greatest W-League moments, as she went about becoming the league’s all-time leading goal scorer.
5. Julie Dolan Medal 2016
Kerr struggled with injury early in her career and credits trainer Aaron Holt for much of her success, but her ability to bounce back from an ankle injury that saw her miss most of the 2015 season to win the 2016 Dolan medal was most impressive.
She returned in time to impress at the Matilda’s 2015 World Cup campaign, enough to earn her another one year deal in Perth, and she went on to score 10 goals for Glory in 2016, winning the first of two consecutive Dolan Medals.
4. 10-minute hat trick 2017
Newcastle Jets were subject to Kerr’s dominant best during the 2017 season as the striker scored a remarkable ten-minute hat trick at Hunter Stadium.
Jets put themselves ahead early in the night, but Kerr took over the fixture after half-time, scoring three times inside ten minutes. The Jets managed a goal of their own in that ten-minute period and eventually levelled the game 3-3.
Kerr had another goal disallowed for offside in the first half and had a shot on target blocked just before the break.
The 2017 season was one that turned Kerr into a global superstar, as the Matildas had arguably their best ever season with her at the forefront.
3. Returns home and Glory’s first premiership 2014
Kerr was one six players with Matildas caps to sign for Perth at the start of the 2014 campaign and scored 13 goals (including eight in the last four games) for the season as her side won the premiership after just ten matches.
A week later, with the shackles off, she netted three times against her former Sydney side, her first W-League hat trick.
2. First W-League championship 2012/13
Kerr moved to Sydney after 22 appearances and five goals in her first stint at Glory and won the grand final in her first season at the club, forming an all-star cast with Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord.
She scored the winner just after half-time, finishing Simon’s cross and sealing the deal with a signature backflip at the then brand new AAMI Park.
Kerr won a premiership and played in three grand finals with Glory, but her Sky Blues triumph is still her only W-League championship.
1. W-League semi final, Glory v Melbourne Victory 2019
Only the greatest of athletes have the ability to dominate a game the way Kerr can, and this afternoon at AAMI Park was her very best.
A bizarre goal meant Glory went a goal down inside two minutes and it took another 70 minutes before Kerr’s pace and goal sense meant she was able to get herself to the right place at the right time and knock one home from close range.
She assisted Rachel Hill for their side’s second goal, before scoring both goals in extra-time with trademark composure to send them to a 4-2 victory, and a grand final against Sydney.
Feature Image Credit: Matt Johnson, Perth Glory
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