Melbourne City FC’s Jamie Maclaren and Maria Rojas have been voted by their peers as the Austraffic A-Leagues Players of the Month for November and December.
The City duo had impressive starts to their respective A-League Men and A-League Women seasons, with Maclaren finding the net on regular occasion either side of his duties at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Socceroos, with five goals in four outings.
Maclaren said he was surprised to win the award given the calibre of the other nominees during the November and December period considered, which included teammate Jordan Bos, Central Coast Mariners duo Jason Cummings and Brian Kaltak and Brisbane Roar’s Carlo Armiento.
“I’m a little bit surprised to win this award because there have been a lot of fantastic players, not only from Melbourne City, but across the A-League of late,” Maclaren told pfa.net.au
“To be voted by the players is always an honour and I guess scoring goals helps, as well as the overall way we have been playing as a team, so I’m very grateful for the vote.”
Having joined the club on an injury-replacement contract for New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson, Rojas also scored four goals during the November/December period.
The former Sydney FC striker’s contribution has helped to elevate City into the top three teams and City to within Premiers Plate contention.
Rojas is currently away on international duty with Chile.
“It is an honour receive an award that is voted on by my peers. To receive their recognition shows my hard work, but also their suppport. I would like to thank my teammates, my coaches, my club for all their support on the field, off the field. Without them I wouldn’t be able to achieve this.
“I look forward to being back in the A-League with Melbourne City [soon.]”
Widely acknowledged as the most prestigious monthly award in Australian football, the Austraffic A-Leagues Player of the Month Award is the only peer-voted award in the A-Leagues.
After each month of action in the A-League Men and Women competitions, an expert panel consisting of former players and media experts put forward nominees for the PFA membership to vote on.
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.
Austraffic A-Leagues PFA Player of the Month
2022/23
October: Joe Lolley (Sydney FC)
November/December: Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City FC) and Maria Rojas (Melbourne City FC)
