Sydney FC have taken out a host of the top honours at football’s night of nights the prestigious Dolan Warren Awards, with star forward Milos Ninkovic scooping the evening’s top award, the Johnny Warren medal for the best player in the Hyundai A-League.
Voted on a 3-2-1 basis by a four body independent panel after each regular season game, Ninkovic’s honour confirms his status as the best player in the Hyundai A-League for the 2016/17 season.
In claiming the prestigious accolade, Ninkovic becomes the first ever Sydney FC player to receive the award, further confiding himself to the annals of the Sky Blues.
The Serbian maestro, who scored nine goals and notched 10 assists during the regular season, expressed his delight at the honour bestowed upon him.
“I’m thrilled to be receiving the Johnny Warren Medal,” Ninkovic said.
“It’s humbling to be recognised for the season I’ve had, however it’s a team game and I couldn’t have achieved this award without all my teammates around me. They make it easy each week to go out and play the way I do.
“I would like to thank Arnie [Head Coach Graham Arnold], all the coaches and medical staff, my teammates and most importantly my family for all their support and belief this season and for allowing me to achieve everything I have this year.”
Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold paid testament to Ninkovic’s work ethic, passion and praised his Premiership winning midfielder.
“Milos has been fantastic for us this season and he thoroughly deserves this award,” Arnold said.
“He’s shown week in week out what a quality player he is. He’s an integral part of our team and a key contributor to everything we’ve done here at the club.
“It’s a massive honour for the club to have Milos win this award and we look forward to the game.”
Ninkovic’s award is the first time a Sydney FC has won the Johnny Warren Medal.
The Sky Blues also took home a number of other top accolades this evening.
Head coach Graham Arnold was voted the Hyundai A-League’s Coach of the Year following a stellar year in which Sydney FC broke numerous records in becoming Premiers, including the smashing of the league points record.
Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was named the Hyundai A-League’s Goalkeeper of the Year after a season which saw him capture the league record for the most number of clean sheets (16) and concede just 12 goals – the lowest ever in an Australian football season.
Young Westfield W-League striker Remy Siemsen took out the Westfield NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award in her debut season scoring six goals in helping the Sky Blues to a record ninth consecutive Finals Series.
“It’s a huge honour. I was not expecting this at all. To be in the same category as Nicky Flannery and Alex Chidiac is fantastic,” she said.
“It was a big step up (my first season of the Westfield W-League) but I loved every minute of it, I learned so much alongside so many quality players.
“Ever since I was little I’ve always dreamed of being a Matilda so I’m going to do everything I can to get there and hopefully follow the footsteps of the girls that have won this award previously.
“Also, I would like to thank NAB for sponsoring this award and their ongoing support of female players in the Westfield W-League,” Siemsen continued.
Milos Ninkovic – Johnny Warren Medal
Graham Arnold – Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year
Danny Vukovic – Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year
Remy Siemsen – Westfield W-League NAB Young Footballer of the Year
