The Australian football family enjoyed their night of nights at Sheraton on the Park this evening.
The news that most people want to know is that Brett Holman is named International Player of the Year at the annual Black Tie Australian Football Awards.
Of course big names and WAG's (wives and girlfriends) were there. FFA Chairman Frank Lowy was "happy just to be here" and highly respected journalist and mad soccer fan, George Negas, was always going to be a lock.
The Aussie forward, who currently performs in the Netherlands' Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, bested fellow nominees Matt McKay, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire and Mile Jedinak to snatch the award.
Holman got the nod by Australia's Football Media Association for his consistency throughout the Socceroos 15 matches in the 2010-2011 voting window.
Matt McKay got named the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Footballer of the Year.
"Brett Holman was the run away favourite of members of the FMA for this year's award," FMA President Steve Dettre announced.
"Brett showed his value as an international player at last year’s World Cup, responding to some of his critics in the best way possible - by doing the business on the pitch," Dettre stressed.
"His form continued throughout 2010-2011, starting with the first game in the voting year when the Socceroos met Slovenia in Ljubljana last August."
"The view of FMA members is that, in 2010-2011, Holman has been instrumental in bringing a more fluent style of play to the national team and Australia looks more threatening in attack when he is in full flight," Dettre said.
The prestigous Harry Kewell Medal, awarded to Australia's best Under-23 player, was snatched by Robbie Kruse of Fortuna Düsseldorf.
And ladies (and some gents we suspect) will be interested to learn that Elise Kellonnd-Knight nabbed the PFA's Women's Footballer of the Year award.
The Socceroos all looked sharp in their suits, and most enjoyed a beverage or three before the red carpet, and during the ballroom presentation... wouldn't you! The ladies of the game also scrubbed up beautifully.
A special thank you to George Negus for your words of wisdom to our media team regarding Australian youth who play the great game of soccer. I'll be passing along your sound advise to my 14 year old son who plays the game at elite school level. You looked great on the red carpet too.
Australian Football is all the better from their big night, and we promise to keep and eye and ear open for more on and off field action from the usually media shy Socceroos and friends.
Score: Socceroos 1, naysayers of Australian Football - Nil. Game over.
Websites
Football Federation Australia
Australian Football Awards
Sheraton on the Park
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Music News Australia
