Melbourne Victory W-League have cleaned up at the prestigious Australian Football Awards, with Stephanie Catley and Lisa De Vanna rewarded for fine performances over the past season.
Forward De Vanna, who recently signed for 2012/13 W-League runners up Victory, was crowned Female Footballer of the Year in recognition for a stellar year in which she also earned a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award on Tuesday.
The striker is one of 10 players, and only one of two women, who are up for Goal of the Year selection following a spectacular bicycle kick effort while playing for Sky Blue FC in the American NWSL in June.
Although she is up against the illustrious likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Antonio Di Natale, De Vanna can claim to be very much a part of exalted company after a glittering career that has included 75 appearances for the Matildas since debuting in 2004.
Melbourne Victory captain Stephanie Catley was also presented with the Female U20 Footballer of the Year award, her second consecutive gong after also winning the title last year.
Despite her tender age, the 19-year-old fullback has wowed many with her talent and maturity on the pitch and the prize is no more than just rewards for the great strides she has made since breaking into the Victory and Matildas sides.
Catley was part of the Victory team that made the W-League Grand Final last season, and although they ultimately missed out on title glory, she was also named the Westfield W-League Young Player of the Year.
2013 Australian Football Awards winners
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Footballer of the Year (male): Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace
Footballer of the Year (female): Lisa De Vanna, Melbourne Victory
U20 Footballer of the Year (male): Josh Brillante, Newcastle Jets
U20 Footballer of the Year (female): Stephanie Catley, Melbourne Victory
NON-PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Volunteers of the Year: Alex & Alexandra Threadgate – Northern NSW Football
Referee of the Year: Katherine Jacewicz –Victoria
Team of the Year: Senior Men’s Team – FNQ FC Heat – Queensland
Coach of the Year (male): Alan Paice, Sturt Lions FC – South Australia
Coach of the Year (female): Michelle Aurousseau, – ACT
The Asian Cup 2015 Community Project of the Year Award: Australian Somali Football Championships Unite FC
The ME Bank Green Card for Fairer Play Award: Tamar Felsch – Terrigal United
Pararoos Footballer of the Year: James Turner – NSW