Tonight in Sydney the Dolan Warren Awards will recognise the best in our game. Hosted by Adam Peacock and former Westfield Matilda Amy Duggan, it’ll be a wonderful celebration of a wonderful season. But who’ll be in the spotlight with an award tonight?
In another first, Fox Sports will broadcast the hour-long event live and exclusively from 7pm.
And Westfield will once again be the official partner for the red carpet with all the glitz and glamour of the arrivals.
Here are some awards that are up for grabs tonight.
Dolan Medal for Westfield W-League player of the year
Named after the great Julie Dolan, golden-boot winner Larissa Crummer must be in the mix along with City team-mate and Westfield Matildas co-captain Lisa De Vanna. But Welsh star Jess Fishlock caught the eye while Angela Beard impressed at Roar and Kyah Simon similarly at Sydney FC. Could the rampaging City clean up tonight or will a player from another club walk off with the trophy?
Warren Medal for Hyundai A-League player of the year
Named after the legend Johnny Warren, it’s the ultimate award. And with a record 25 goals and so many memorable moments Uruguayan Bruno Fornaroli is a huge favourite, but his assist king (with 20 assists for the season) teammate Aaron Mooy is very much in the mix. Perth Glory’s import Diego Castro also had a stellar season and could be a dark horse along with Jamie Maclaren who had a breakout season at Brisbane Roar, veteran Victory defender Matthieu Delpierre stands out as does Marcelo Carrusca at Adelaide.
Coach of the year
In the W-League Joe Montemurro has to be favourite after his incredible season with the all-conquering City. As for the A-League, taking the Reds from last to first and within 90 minutes of a first Hyundai A-League title, Gui Amor is a clear front-runner in this category. But Tony Popovic did superbly, overhauling the Wanderers and making them a force again while Kenny Lowe (Perth) and John Aloisi (Brisbane) must also be in the reckoning.
Goalkeeper of the year
Experienced Reds skipper Eugene Galekovic was part of the league’s most miserly defence and will be right in the hunt again, as is brilliant Jets custodian Mark Birighitti who went to a new level this season. But could City’s import gloveman Thomas Sorensen get the nod after being the only keeper this season to make more than 100 saves. City’s Westfield W-League keeper Briana Davies and Glory’s Mackenzie Arnold are also favourites.
Referee of the year
Strebre Delovski’s final season could result in a winning send off? No pun intended but he’ll be the sentimental favourite ahead of his retirement from the Hyundai A-League, while it’s an open field for the Westfield W-League but Casey Reibelt and Kate Jacewicz are favourites in the W-League.
Hyundai A-League Goal of the Year
No surprise City’s Fornaroli features heavily in this category with a host of his 25 goals potential candidates. The stunning overhead kick in the Elimination Final against Glory stands out as well as his ‘rabona goal’ in the Melbourne Derby. Roly Bonevacia’s piledriver against Adelaide early in the season was a beauty, along with Diego Castro’s brilliant volley against Melbourne City in round 26. Kim Little’s ‘paper-rock-scissors’ set piece goal in the grand final was one of the best in the W-League.
NAB Young Footballer of the Year
In the A-League, Roar striker Jamie Maclaren is the hot favourite for his goal-laden campaign with Roar, that saw him finish with 20 goals. Adelaide’s Stefan Mauk and new Caltex Socceroos defender Jason Geria can’t be discounted either. And City’s golden-boot winner Larissa Crummer will be confident for the W-League gong but Angela Beard from Roar and Sydney FC duo Princess Ibini and Amy Harrison are also in the mix.
Golden Boot award
It’s a Melbourne City double for this award with Fornaroli taking out the A-League prize with his incredible 25-goal haul from just 29 games, while Crummer’s 12 was the best in the W-League on the way to winning the championship undefeated.
