Mahoney, 17, featured in the awards at last year’s presentation night, claiming the Franco Bertazzo Junior Player of the Year in 2015.

After making a seamless transition into the seniors, Mahoney said it had been challenging to make the move into the senior side.

“It was a big step up to the seniors,” she said.

“It's been great working with (coach Josh O'Farrell), we've been mates for a long time.

“Having his support has been really good.”

While Mahoney was unsure about how far she wanted to take her career, O'Farrell had no doubts about the teenager's talent.

“We've very lucky to have her here at St Pats,” he said.

“From my understanding, almost every one of her state team teammates is playing at a W-League club in some capacity.

“To my knowledge, the only reason she isn't is because she's living up here in a country town, the rest are based in the metropolitan areas.”

Despite being one of the younger players in the league and at the club, O'Farrell said Mahoney had quickly become one of the team's leaders.

“I knew from the start of the year that Claire was one of the leaders of our team,” he said.

“I spoke to her about it at the start of the year and told her what I expected of her and she stood out every single week – win, lose or draw.

“You couldn’t ask any more of a young player.

“Particularly at 17 years old, doing what she's doing, what more could you ask for?”

O'Farrell said one of the big reasons she had stood out was her developing defensive game.

“Claire is a natural attacking player, but I really pushed on her that she needs to be a box-to-box player,” he said.

“She's really taken that on board, she's been running both ways and directing traffic offensively and defensively.

“I think that's been the big step up for her.

“She's been helping the girls at both ends.

Mahoney was the clear winner, polling 35 votes to finish ahead of Cobram star Janna Lawson (29 votes) and last year’s winner Maddy Harris (25).

Lawson was the senior women’s leading goal-scorer, netting 33 goals for the season.

Lawson’s Roar teammate Jess Gannaway polled well, while Melrose (Alex Davis and Isabella Barbaro) and Albury United (Alicia Torcaso and Melissa Croken) also had multiple players poll in the top 10.

In the reserves, Melrose’s Caitlin Bishop polled 22 votes to finish clear of Albury City young gun Brianna Kusic (20 votes). 

Wodonga Diamonds star Meredith Quick and Melrose’s Patricia Martin tied for third place on 19 votes.