The 24-year-old was instrumental in helping Australia win the inaugural Tournament of Nations in the US in August and scored a classy goal in the 6-1 demolition of Brazil that secured the trophy.

Unsurprisingly, the all-conquering Matildas were named the team of the year. Their superb Tournament of Nations showing was followed by two friendly wins over Brazil in September, Kerr scoring a goal in each game. They received a standing ovation from the audience at the International Convention Centre on Wednesday night, which included champion hurdler Sally Pearson, Women's AFL star Daisy Pearce, and ex-Wallaby winger Nick Cummins.

Pearce received the Leadership Legend award, while the moment of the year went to the AFLW season opener between Collingwood and Carlton where more than 24,000 fans turned out to watch the historic clash.

So popular was the event, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan was forced to step outside the ground and address locked out fans who were being turned away once the venue reached capacity.

The most poignant moment of the night came when four-time Olympic gold medallist Betty Cuthbert, who died aged 79 in August, claimed the prestigious Hall of Fame award previously held by Susie O'Neill and Layne Beachley.

Cuthbert, a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame since 1994, was nicknamed Australia's "Golden Girl" and arguably the country's finest sprinter after her successes in Melbourne in 1956 and Tokyo eight years later.

She also won a relay gold at the 1962 Perth Commonwealth Games.

"Betty Cuthbert is the only Olympian, male or female, to have won a gold medal in every sprint event, paving the way for other female athletes to make their mark on the world stage, and inspiring athletes for generations to come," Women's Health editor Jacqui Mooney said.

Olympic moguls skier Britt Cox claimed the other major award on the night, recognised by the Australian federal government as the most outstanding woman in sport for 2017.

Meanwhile, Sydney Sixer and former NSW Breaker Ashleigh Gardner was named the one to watch.

"What an exciting year it has been for women in sport," Mooney said. "Our female athletes have been inspirational both on and off the field and it's a true honour to toast their achievements. Back in 2011 when Women's Health created 'I Support Women in Sport', it was ... to celebrate our amazing female athletes. Seven years on and it's genuinely ingrained in our DNA and a huge part of what Women's Health stands for."

Category winners

Hall of Fame – Betty Cuthbert, Athletics

Women's Health Sportswoman of the Year – Samantha Kerr, Soccer

Moment of the Year – AFLW inaugural game, Carlton versus Collingwood

A-Team of the Year – Matildas, Soccer (as voted by the public)

Person of Sporting Influence – Dr Susan Alberti, Women's Football trailblazer

Local Sporting Champion – Mariella Teuira, sports club founder

Leadership Legend – Daisy Pearce, AFLW

One to Watch – Ashleigh Gardner, Cricket

Australian Federal Government Award for Outstanding Woman in Sport – Britt Cox, Mogul Skiin