The production line of Melbourne City was rewarded with some silver-wear, as current and former A-League and W-League talents cleaned up the PFA Players’ Awards.
A-League Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren was awarded Men’s Footballer of the Year after a stunning campaign with the Cityzens, beating fellow City teammate Curtis Good, goal-scorers Nikita Rukavysta, playmakers Martin Boyle and Ulises Dávila and clean sheet machine Mitch Langerak to the award.
Maclaren’s historic season of scoring 25 goals in 24 games caps off a campaign to remember, rewarded with a Socceroos recall. He is also the first A-League based player to win the award since former City and English Premier League midfielder Aaron Mooy when he captured the award in 2016.
“This is something I’m finding hard to put into words,” said Maclaren
“After winning the A-League championship and my third golden boot this season, it speaks volumes about the environment I have here at Melbourne City and also the staff and my teammates.”
Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, combining her scintillating form for club side Lyon with her recent Olympics campaign saw her capture both Women’s Footballer of the Year and Young Women’s Footballer of the Year awards edging out the likes of legendary striker Sam Kerr, Michelle Heyman, Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross to both awards.
The sky is seemingly the limit for Carpenter, where at the age of only 21 she has illustrated her defensive awareness driving the play forward, operating at times in a right centre-back role in coach Tony Gustavsson’s system at the Matildas.
“I’m really surprised and feeling humbled to receive both awards” Carpenter said.
“For me it goes to show that it’s not just me, it’s also the teams that I’ve been playing in as well. I’m so appreciative of my teammates and their support; credit to every girl on the Matildas and also my Lyon team here, it’s pushed me to be the best that I can be. We don’t do any of this on our own “
Conor Metcalfe, City’s breakout star for the recent campaign who was also a member of recent Socceroos and Olyroos Olympic Games squads captured the Men’s Young Player of the Year award also known as the Harry Kewell Medal. He managed to beat out fellow Olyroos teammates Denis Genreau, Joel King and City teammate Marco Tilio to the title.
Metcalfe has reportedly attracted interest from Spanish sides, with a European move beckoning for City’s roaming midfielder.
Image Supplied: Melbourne City
