Melbourne Victory star Marco Rojas polled more than twice the votes of Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero to take out the Johnny Warren Medal for the A-League player of the year award on Monday night.
New Zealand representative Rojas polled 908 votes from his fellow players, with Sydney FC marquee star Del Piero next best on 449 in his successful maiden season in the A-League.
It was a red-letter night for 21 year-old Rojas at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel, where he also scooped the young player of the year award.
Golden Boot winner Daniel McBreen, who led the A-League with 17 goals, was third in the Johnny Warren Medal, on 280 votes, followed by Central Coast clubmate and New Zealand international midfielder Michael McGlinchey (239), with Adelaide playmaker Dario Vidosic (222), rounding out the top five.
Midfielder Rojas has yet to decide whether he will play overseas next season or stay with Victory.
“I just wanted to finish the season first before I thought about it,” Rojas said.
“Now it’s finished I’ll sit down with dad and think about it.
“I’ll have a look at what’s been offered to me and see what’s the best for me, what’s going to help me further develop my football.”
Melbourne midfielder Marcos Flores won the goal of the year award for his round five effort against Wellington Phoenix.
First-season franchise and Premier’s Plate winner Western Sydney Wanderers picked up two awards.
Tony Popovic was named coach of the year and goalkeeper Ante Covic won the Golden Glove award.
Brisbane Roar collected the fair play award and Peter Green referee of the year.
Roar’s Matildas star Clare Polkinghorne won the Julie Dolan Medal for the W-League player of the season.
Among the major W-League winners were Brisbane’s Tameka Butt (players’ player of the year), Perth’s Katie Gill (Golden Boot), Newcastle’s Emily van Egmond (goal of the year), Canberra’s Mackenzie Arnold (goalkeeper of the year) and Melbourne’s Stephanie Catley (young player of the year).
Ironically coach of the year went to former Melbourne Victory mentor Mike Mulvey, who left the W-League club during the season to take over as Brisbane Roar men’s coach.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
The real concern comes down to football's growing trend of big corporations taking up slices of the world game at the expense of smaller teams.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
