Words: Staff Writers
Image: Patrick Kearney

It is the single highest achievement for a player in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Women's competition – but whose performances in 2016 set them apart enough to be crowned the Women's Most Valuable Player?

We’ve reviewed the footage, scoured the team sheets and split more than a few hairs to come up with the names that could be well in contention for this year’s honour.

 

Jordan Franke - SWQ Thunder FC Women
(Image: Paul Smith)

The Thunder Women's captain led by example in 2016 - playing every minute of the campaign and proving instrumental in delivering the club their best ever return in the competition. Her organisation and communication were crucial to guiding a young side and her tough tackling and positioning proved a scourge to attackers across the league.

Deeanna Thompson – Souths United FC Women
(Image: Chris Simpson)

Moving from Palm Beach to Souths saw a change in role for last year’s Golden Boot winner, but she proved no less influential for the first-time Semi-Finalists. An outstanding return of 28 goals tells only part of the story as Thompson lead from the front with her tireless and consistent performances. Rarely was their a game where she didn’t make the highlight reel in some form.

 

Susanne McKeen – Eastern Suburbs FC Women
(Image: Albert Perez)

A rock in the heart of Easts midfield throughout the year, McKeen’s passing, movement and defending never failed to leave its mark on the central third, no matter the opponent. That she managed to exert her influence without once being booked speak volumes for her approach to the game. And chiming in with seven goals also won’t hurt her chances of taking out the MVP crown

 

Megan Price – The Gap FC Women
(Image: Chris Simpson)

All too often the unsung hero of the Gators undefeated season, but there’s little doubt of the importance of Price to the competition’s most dominant team. Whether it’s winning back possession or launching the transition, there was rarely a goal that didn’t involve a telling contribution from Price. Add in 11 goals she finished herself and it seems likely she will be well in the mix come award time.

 

Kirsten Jamieson – Olympic FC Women
(Image: Patrick Kearney)

Arguably the find of the season! Jamieson blew away defences across the league in her first PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Women’s campaign – smashing home a competition record 61 goals as she helped Olympic to their first Grand Final. With the Golden Boot award already sewn up, could she become the first women’s player to notch a double by claiming the MVP title as well?

 

Samara Christmas – Sunshine Coast FC Women
(Image: Sam Attwood)

They say Christmas comes but once a year, but not on the Sunny Coast where Samara Christmas never failed to deliver for the Fire on a weekly basis. She shone brightly despite a sluggish start to the campaign for her side and continued to find the back of the net to end the season with 16 goals – the first time she has topped the club’s scoring charts in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Women’s competition.