The nominees for the Austraffic PFA Player of the Month awards for December have been revealed, with Léo Lacroix in the mix for back-to-back accolades and record-equalling attacking sensation Hannah Wilkinson amongst the A-League Women nominees.
The six nominees across the A-League were selected by the PFA’s Nominations Committee – comprising former players and media personalities – with the winners to be voted on by PFA members this week. Check out the nominees below.
A-League Men
Léo Lacroix – Western United
November’s A-League Men Player of the Month, the imposing Swiss central defender continued his excellent form for Western United throughout December, as Western consolidated a top-three position.
The 29-year-old marshalled Western’s defence and secured valuable clean sheets in two 1-0 wins over Adelaide United and Melbourne City FC, ensuring that the former Hamburg, St Etienne and Sion man is in the running for back-to-back Austraffic Awards.
Jake Brimmer – Melbourne Victory
Victory’s 23-year-old talent has relished the opportunity in a midfield marshalled by Spanish import Rai Marchan and supported by the box-to-box expertise of Josh Brilliante and has been a noticeable performer for the A-League Men leaders.
As a critical link between Victory’s midfield and attack, Brimmer delivered two important assists in December, but his influence has extended to controlling Victory’s forward forays and assisting Brilliante and Marchan in breaking down Victory’s opponents.
His quick-thinking free kick provided Francesco Margiotta with a Melbourne Derby opener against City before Christmas, while his corner was pinpoint for Jason Geria to head home in a Boxing Day win over Western United.
Beka Mikeltadze – Newcastle Jets
Mikeltadze arrived at the Jets on a two-year-deal from Greek outfit Xanthi and despite the Aussie connection at his former club, the Georgian international was relatively unknown within Australian circles.
But an impressive showing from the 24-year-old attacking midfielder in December quickly changed that. Mikeltadze scored two well-worked goals against Wellington Phoenix, before scoring against Macarthur as the Jets looked to establish themselves as top four contenders early in the season.
A-League Women
Hannah Wilkinson – Melbourne City FC
Football Fern centurion Hannah Wilkinson has taken no time to settle into her debut campaign in the A-League Women. In the opening month of competition, the 29-year-old netted seven goals in four games – including all five in a 5-1 thrashing of reigning champions Victory. Wilkinson netted two goals to open her account for City in a 3-1 win over Adelaide, before scoring a record-equalling five goals.
The haul against Victory included a 26-minute hat-trick, before she became only the second player to score five goals in an A-League Women game – a record previously held by former Matilda and PFA Co-Chief Executive, Kate Gill, who scored five in a match for Perth Glory in 2014.
Having cut her teeth as a junior in New Zealand and commencing a senior career in the US college system with the Tennessee Volunteers, Wilkinson played in Sweden, Portugal and Germany before City snapped up the talented Kiwi from Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg last August.
Holly McNamara – Melbourne City FC
While Wilkinson’s experience and prolific form in front of goal has been critical to City’s rise up the A-League Women’s table, her teenage teammate – winger Holly McNamara – has been another standout. The 18-year-old has been a constant threat for City, delivering three assists and a goal in December, ensuring City stay in touch with leaders Sydney FC in second place.
If December’s rich vein of form is anything to go by, the Young Matilda has a promising season ahead for City as they aim to secure the title that eluded it last season.
Cortnee Vine – Sydney FC
A-League Women’s table-toppers Sydney FC have boasted stars across the pitch this season, but one who has shone the brightest in the eyes of the PFA Nominations Committee is Cortnee Vine.
With the emerging attacker’s best return being four goals last year with the Sky Blues and during the 2018/19 campaign with the Newcastle Jets, Vine netted three times and provided an assist in December as Sydney emerged the dominant team.
Vine scored in impressive wins over Wellington Phoenix (on two occasions) and a 3-1 win over the Jets to edge out teammate Mackenzie Hawkesby for a nomination.
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. Visit Austraffic.com.au
