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.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Just been announced Marco Rojas will be moving from MVFC to Europe. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Rojas-heads-to-Europe/65494 He has several offers including clubs from the EPL & Bundesliga. Rumours indicate he's going to Stuttgart. Just as when Robbie K exited ... a new player will emerge.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
Nikolai Topor-Stanley was the correct player of the year award. Rojas was in the top 5.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
quality goal. almost as good as shinji ono's....
Jukes
Guest
I think Rojas is more than a worthy winner. He also could have taken out goal of the year with some super strikes, in particular that turn and swivel against Newcastle. That was a peach of a goal. Other memorable goals of the season, included Ono's juggle and shot against Victory and Mehbratu's effort against us (WSW). That was a rocket.
Garcia
Guest
Rojas should have got the goal of the year as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DIPSJxzJc4
Ian
Guest
Well done Brisbane Roar - fair play award 4 years out of 8, half the history of the A-League. Well done Brisbane Roar ladies. Hats off to Rojas, i didn't think he'd win it as i thought without archie he wasn't as effective. but i always respect the opinion of the players voting on their peers. i assume then rojas won foreign player of the year as i haven't seen that mentioned. there has been at least 4 or so imports that have won the johnny warren medal winner now. i do disagree with the goal of the year for flores in round 5. good goal but i'd even give it to ono against the roar last friday or Del piero's scorcher against perth.