Football West Gold Medal Awards night

The glitz and glamour of local football will be on show when the 2005 Football West Gold Medal Awards are held in the Grand Ballroom at the Burswood International Resort Casino this weekend.

After a superb debut season under Football West it’s time for the code to come together and celebrate the achievements of clubs over the season and honour the state’s best players. Competition will be strong for the Gold Medal which is voted for by match referees, and with a number of gifted players in the competition it will an exiting climax to the season.

Football West CEO Michelle Phillips is looking forward to the night, ”We are very pleased to announce that we will have over 500 Football Family guests at the first Football West Gold Medal Awards night. We are proud to be continuing this tradition of over 40 years and after the success of our first season, see the Gold Medal Awards night as a great way to celebrate.

This night is for all involved in the game; players, coaches, referees, club officials and volunteers who make our sport the success it is today” Phillips added, “We are very much looking forward to announcing the 2005 McInerney Gold Medal winner, this is the most prestigious football award in WA and this player represents the true spirit of the game and a professional quality we should all strive for.”

Each of the twelve Premier League clubs has players who will no doubt poll well, however, it’ll be the cream that rises to the top on the night. Many pundits believe Perth SC have the Gold Medal winner within it’s midst but it’s open race and here’s a look at each of the Premier League clubs leading lights ...

Double winners Perth SC have a number of players who’ll poll well but the question is ‘will they take votes off each other?’ Antonio Naglieri capped a fantastic year by taking out the ‘Man of the Match’ in the Midland Brick Cup final, Robert Puca is probably the most naturally talented player in the League, and Aaron Cole is without a doubt the best defender in the state. Those three are tipped to poll strongly along with star strikers David Onoforo and Andreas Oliveira.

Sorrento, who were pipped at the post by Perth, are likely to also have several players taking votes off each other. The tireless efforts of Scottish import Paul McMullan on the left wing won’t go unnoticed, likewise Gulls sharp-shooter Todd Harnwell who flourished as an out and out striker this year. Versatile defender Danny Hill is another who played well but he may have missed too many games to be a serious contender for top honours.

Western Knights are another club who had a good season. David Annall is undoubtedly one of the League’s most underrated players and he was simply outstanding in the heart of the clubs defence. The Knights leading goalscorer, Stuart Montgomery, is another who has the potential to be up there along with defensive midfielder Claus Neilsen but both are likely to have been absent through injury to often to be amongst the leaders.

Inglewood United season began brightly by capturing the Night Series trophy, and ended it as Midland Brick Cup runners-up to Perth SC. The never say die attitude of skipper Shaun Kilkelly is sure to have attracted many referee’s attention and has been installed as one of the favorites. If its consistency your after you can’t go past Kevin Griffiths, while the silken skills of Andre Sarpe should put him high on the leader board.

Floreat Athena has made great strides this season and a number of players from the inner city club will be in contention. Bajo Savic made a blistering start to the year and although he faded over the second half of the season his superb ball control and distribution will have him amongst the leaders. At the back Adrian Sutton consistently produced the goods in holding together a young and comparatively inexperienced defence, and goal ace Branimir Mikulic will also be there or thereabouts.

Cockburn City will be the first to admit the second half of their season was a disappointment. Australian youth international Liam Lilly had a strong but unfortunately tradition show defenders don't poll that strongly - can Lilly swing that trend in 2005? John Mirco has been a consistent contributor throughout the season and is bound to poll well. Goalkeeper Alan Dunlop came back from a long-term shoulder injury to make his debut season for the Cockerels one to long remember.

Bayswater City’s Scottish imports Ross Barnes and Stuart Fraser will be high in the votes for the Black and Blues but consistency may seriously hinder how high they finish on the leader board. The club’s best chance is lively attacker Andy O’Neill who enjoyed arguably the best season of his young career, and could be the dark horse for the Gold Medal. Top goal scorer Bobby Klenkoski was also consistent and will be another who polls well.

Stirling Lions have a few players who’ll rack up the votes. Darko Ilmanovski is another outsider for the medal, the experienced defender has shown the consistency this year which could make him a deserved winner. Of the clubs Irish imports Paul Dickson has been the pick with a solid contribution on the right side of defence, while Australia’s Under-17 goalkeeper Alex Vrteski is another who’s expected to pick up quite a few votes.

Armadale have only a handful of players who you’d consider stand a realistic chance of winning the Gold Medal. 19-year old Darryl Platten has been superb in the heart of the Reds defence and should attract his fair share of votes. On loan attacker Ben Rogers ended the season as the clubs top goal scorer and should poll well along with goalkeeper Nick Stone who’s has been solid as a rock in his debut season at Armadale.

Swan IC skipper Damian Scali has had an outstanding season playing in numerous positions for the Black and Whites and will once again do well in the count. Jonathan Mathers overcame a quiet start to the year by turning on the style over the second half of the winter. Another who’ll poll strongly is State goalkeeper Cory Hugo.

ECU Joondalup were riddled by injury and inconsistency in 2005, but still have a few players to watch out for. Englishman Keith Brown gave everything in every game he played for the northern suburbs club. Defenders Jamie Kuzmanovich and Anthony Jones also played well this year but their chances will be hampered by the fact Joondalup had their backs to the wall for much of winter.

Players of Fremantle City will struggle to get the votes needed to be amongst the leader. That said, Jason Godfrey had good season in the middle of a defence which was continually under fire and he’s sure to be amongst their best players. Youngster Jason Barrera should also pick up quite a few votes, likewise the club’s top goal scorer Kevin Correia.

The inaugural Football West Gold Medal Awards ceremony is to be held on Friday 21st October, and is proudly sponsored by Radio Station 882- 6PR, Vodafone, Midland Brick, McInerney Ford and Umbro. With the night sold out those attending are asked to be at the venue by 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start.

Good luck to all players and may the best player win!!!

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