Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: AFC Champions League sides Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners were both big winners at the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 Awards held in Sydney on Tuesday.
German midfielder Thomas Broich, an ever-present in the Roar's 2012 ACL Group F campaign so far, received the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal given to the footballer of the year after receiving 390 votes from his playing peers, ahead of teammate Besart Berisha, who was ineligible for the award having been suspended during the season, (252 votes) and Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson (243 votes).
Berisha, however, did receive the Nike Golden Boot Award courtesy of his 19 goal haul during the regular season while youngster Nick Fitzgerald, scorer of the Roar's opening goal in their 1-1 draw with Ulsan Hyundai in Matchday 2 of this year's ACL, was named the National Youth League 2011/12 Player of the Year.
Brisbane Roar also received the Fair Play Award for the second season running for accruing the least number of yellow and red cards.
Central Coast Mariners Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who has conceded just two goals in three AFC Champions League matches for the Gosford side, was honoured with the Goalkeeper of the Year Award as well as being presented the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award for the second consecutive season along with the NAB $10,000 investment portfolio prize.
And after claiming the Premiers' Plate following another impressive season in charge, Mariners head coach Graham Arnold picked up the Coach of the Year Award.
Costa Rican midfielder Carlos Hernandez, a veteran of three AFC Champions League campaigns with Melbourne Victory, picked up the SOLO Goal of the Year Award for his Week 19 effort against the Mariners.
In the Westfield W-League Lydia Williams was named both Goalkeeper of the Year and Players' Player of the Year while Melbourne Victory youngster Ashley Brown won Young Player of the Year.
Canberra United's Michelle Heyman won Golden Boot honours with her 12 goals from 10 matches with her team also securing the Fair Play award with joint recipient Melbourne Victory, while Canberra's Czech coach Jitka Klimkova won Coach of the Year in her debut season.
W-League Referee of the Year went to Kate Jacewicz for the third consecutive season, while Jarred Gillett picked up the A-League Referee of the Year award.
Photo: WSG