Best internationals of 2019/20 – Carson Pickett

Displaying unbounded energy in both defence and attack, Carson Pickett had a season to remember as she excelled at full-back for Brisbane Roar throughout the 2019/20 Westfield W-League campaign.

Brisbane had a rather indifferent season as a collective, ending the campaign in fifth with five wins, two draws and five losses to their name.

The mixed bag of results saw the Roar miss the Westfield W-League Finals Series for the first time in three seasons but – through her team's struggles – Pickett shone, displaying all the qualities of an electric attacker while fulfilling her role as a left-back in Jake Goodship's side.

Pickett made 11 appearances throughout the campaign, creating an abundance of chances for her teammates while scoring three goals of her own.

On loan from parent club Orlando Pride for a third consecutive campaign in Roar colours, Pickett performed all season at a level similar to that of the league's two elite full-backs: Melbourne City's Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter.

Pickett created the third-most chances of any player in the 2019/20 campaign (26) behind the two City defenders, and her 79 crosses for the campaign were the second-most of any player, with Catley once again trumping her in that particular category.

AGONY AND ECSTASY: Grand Final story told in 21 images
MATILDAS WRAP: Did Lydia Williams make the biggest save of the season?

On the defensive end ,Pickett displayed a constant willingness to win the ball back for her side, making 25 clearances, 26 interceptions and winning six tackles at a success rate of more than 66%.

A facet of her game which proved most effective was the 26-year-old's efforts on goal. Her 17 shots on target for the season garnered three goals, all of which came in Pickett's last two appearances of the season.

Pickett's shot accuracy of 70% throughout the 2019/20 season bettered any of the four Golden Boot winners Kristen Hamilton, Natasha Dowie, Morgan Andrews and Remy Siemsen, none of whom managed to shoot at an accuracy higher than 58% for the campaign.

In Round 12, Pickett benefited from a goalkeeping blunder from Perth Glory's Morgan Aquino to score her first of the season, before scoring a magnificent brace against Canberra United one week later.

The pick of her two goals in Round 13 was a stunning strike from the edge of the box. Sham Khamis stood no chance in Canberra's goal as the ball flew into the top right corner and validated Pickett's constant goal-threat throughout the campaign.

At the conclusion of Pickett's third campaign at the Roar, the American was quick to thank the club and it's passionate fans for yet another memorable season. In return, the Roar faithful will be similarly grateful should the flying full-back return for a fourth season in Orange.

GF REACTION: City cap ‘unbelievable season’ by battling to Grand Final glory
GF REPORT: Catley strike seals Melbourne City's record fourth Westfield W-League title