To celebrate a groundbreaking year, let's see which players ruled the statistics for 2021, with some inclusions expected and some exciting surprises.
We begin with a simple one, which two players appeared the most for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas in 2021, with 16 appearances each?
With such a strong and experienced group that Tony Gustavsson inherited, you would expect a campaigned veteran to be among that list, someone like captain Sam Kerr. However, not many would've predicted that an 18-year-old Mary Fowler finishes the year having played the same amount of games as her national team skipper.
A special mention also goes to Kyra Cooney-Cross, who sits fifth with 14 appearances, proving that Gustavsson is putting his faith in the young talent at his disposal.
When it comes to the side's end product of goals and assists, it's hard to surpass arguably the most prolific forward in world football. Sam Kerr comfortably leads the way with seven goals and three assists for the year, finishing top in both categories.
Defender Clare Polkinghorne would also be justified in asking for more time further up the field next year, having finished as the side's third top-scorer, including two goals against Brazil in October.
Steph Catley may be classed as a defender on the teamsheet, but the attacking statistics of the Arsenal star resemble more of a winger or attacking midfielder. Catley is equal top for chances created, as both her and captain Sam Kerr finished the year on 22, despite Catley only returning from injury mid-way through the year.
The dead-ball specialist also reigned in on the chances created from free-kicks and corners. For anyone that witnessed Catley's stunning freekick goal in the UEFA Women's Champions League, that stat comes with minimal surprise.
However, chances are only valuable if they reach their target. Thankfully for Catley and her attacking teammates, they possess the ultimate chance converter up front, with Sam Kerr having hit the target with almost 50% of all shots taken in 2021.
The Road Runner right-back Ellie Carpenter finished off 2021 as Australia's most successful player when it came to dribbling, pipping Caitlin Foord to the crown, completing 21 across the year. Her darting runs down the line have become synonymous with the Olympique Lyonnais star, with no opposition player able to keep up with Carpenter's full stride.
Obviously our goalkeepers deserve some love too, especially in a year where the Commonwealth Bank Matildas defence faced six of the top seven attacks in world football.
Gustavsson gave a plethora of opportunities to Mackenzie Arnold, Lydia Williams and Teagan Micah, but it was the Swedish-based keeper that took out the title for most saves in 2021 with 27 to her name.
Micah finished with nine more than her closest competitor, with the entire margin achieved when the shot-stopper inspired her team to victory against Great Britain during the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Many of the younger squad members have put their name in this year for selection, but the defensive statistics show that the kids may already be taking the lead. Melbourne Victory defender Courtney Nevin has been thrown in the deep end against quality opposition during 2021, but the teenager incredibly tops the team for tackle accuracy, winning the ball in 90% of all tackles attempted.
Followed closely behind is defensive-midfielder Clare Wheeler, who had already turned heads with a stunning performance off the bench in Newcastle against the United States. It was of course, the interception from the Coffs Harbour girl that led to Kyah Simon's unlikely equaliser against the world champions.