The Etihad Player of the Month is back for December and Ross McCormack, Bart Schenkeveld and Nathaniel Atkinson are up for this month’s award.
Ross McCormack
The Scottish striker is once again up for the award, finding the back of the net twice in December and scoring his first goal from open play. The forward has impressed during his time in a City shirt, with injury almost derailing his time in Melbourne. After going millimetres from tearing his ACL, McCormack was back on the field the next week and changed the game during the Melbourne Derby, showing his commitment to his new side.
Bart Schenkeveld
In his third straight nomination, Schenkeveld has showed incredible consistency this season, marshalling the City defence with his brute strength and deceptive speed for. In December, the Dutchman won 20 duels out of 29 in the backline and his raw emotion and passion on the pitch has made him an instant fan favourite. He’s won the award twice already and will join the likes of Aaron Mooy and Bruno Fornaroli if he wins three consecutive awards.
Nathaniel Atkinson
Not bad to pick up an Etihad Player of the Month nomination in your first month of A-League football! Atkinson was a revelation for City in December, making his debut against Central Coast Mariners and not looking a step out of place. The youngster held his own against Sydney FC after being called up as an early sub but his stand-out match was against Melbourne Victory where he kept danger man Leroy George quiet – a task that many players have found difficult this season.
