Melbourne Victory’s Jake Brimmer and Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine have won the PFA’s Austraffic A-Leagues Player of the Month Award after impressing their peers in December.

Vine, whose recent form with A-League Women league leaders Sydney FC earned her selection in the Matildas’ 2022 AFC Asian Cup squad for the upcoming tournament in India this week, impressed for the Sky Blues throughout December.

Vine edged out the PFA member vote despite facing strong competition from the other nominees, comprising Melbourne City duo Holly McNamara – who was also this week added to the Matildas final 23-players squad for the Asian Cup – and prolific New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson.

In December Vine found the back of the net on three occasions and provided an assist as Sydney emerged the dominant team in the A-League Women’s competition.

“I’d like to say thank you to my peers for voting for me as their Player of the Month,” Vine told pfa.net.au. “I’d also like to give a massive thank you to my staff and team members for always making it an absolute joy on and off the field.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson this week said Vine had “played” herself into the Asian Cup squad, confirming the widespread praise for the 23-year-old.

For Victory, Brimmer – who is also 23 – provided an influential outlet for the A-League Men’s table-toppers Melbourne Victory in December.

The young but experienced midfielder – Brimmer has played 92 matches in the A-League Men’s competition since his debut season in 2017 with Perth Glory – delivered two assists in December and controlled Victory’s forward thrusts.

“I’m very honoured to win player of the month, I’ve found my feet at the club in the position I’m playing,” Brimmer said. “The boss and technical staff have full confidence and belief in me and that is showing on the pitch.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for me, and I can’t wait to help and contribute to the team as much as possible.”

Brimmer was up against November’s PFA Player of the Month winner – Western United’s Léo Lacroix – and Newcastle Jets’ Georgian midfielder Beka Mikeltadze for the December award.

The Austraffic PFA Player of the Month is the only player-voted award in the A-Leagues. After each month of A-Leagues action, a PFA Nominations Committee, consisting of football media personalities and former players, provide nominees for the PFA membership to vote on. The awards are proudly presented in partnership with Austraffic.

About Austraffic

Founded in 1983 (as Australasian Traffic Surveys), Austraffic has undertaken thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Austraffic’s systems and expertise delivers quality data that meets the customer’s needs. Their offices are located throughout Australia, and their traffic engineering and information technology specialists assist customers with the design, analysis and presentation of surveys.

Austraffic A-Leagues PFA Player of the Month

November:                          Léo Lacroix (Western United)

December:                          Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC) and Jake Brimmer (Melbourne Victory)