The 2022/23 A-Leagues Club Champions were celebrated on Saturday at Melbourne City’s 2023 Player of the Year night.
For the first time ever both the club’s Men’s and Women’s squads were recognised on the same night, with the dates of the season never allowing for it to happen in the past.
Socceroo Mathew Leckie was crowned our Men’s Player of the Year, while Julia Grosso took out the top Women’s honour after a standout first season in City blue.
Read below for a full wrap!
A-League Men’s
CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR
While he may not have seen any game time this season, Matthew Sutton remained a stand-up teammate and key figure of the locker room throughout 2022/23.
Much loved by his teammates and all those involved at City, Sutton was a deserving recipient of the Clubman Of The Year!
GOLDEN BOOT
In a shock to absolutely nobody… Jamie Maclaren took out our 2022/23 Men’s Golden Boot.
It was another 20-goal season for JMac, hitting that mark for a remarkable fourth time in his career and a third in City blue. He finished the regular season with a total of 24 goals, the highlight of course being last week’s hat trick which saw him crowned the A-League all-time top scorer.
RISING STAR
Still just 20 years old, Jordan Bos was awarded the Rising Star for a second consecutive year.
It’s been a rapid rise for the youngster, taking another huge leap and cementing the left-back position with a fantastic season.
Bos started in all but the one game he didn’t play this season, scoring twice and adding another five assists while also earning a Socceroos debut with his strong form.
PLAYERS’ PLAYER
He may have been one of the most unsung heroes of the City squad over the last few years, but Aiden O’Neill has started to finally get his well-deserved plaudits this season.
That being said, he’s been a much-loved member of the locker room since he joined the club so there was no surprise to see him voted the Players’ Player.
A workhorse in midfield, he’s now added goals to his game – netting a pair of braces this season and also making his Socceroos debut in March.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
He may have missed a chunk of the back end of the season, but Mathew Leckie was crowned Men’s Player of the Year – such was his dominance over his 18 appearances.
Our star number seven recorded 12 total goal contributions (six goals and six assists) and was electric every time he stepped on the pitch.
He told City Media that he was honoured to take
“When I came back from overseas, I chose Melbourne City because I know it’s a club that has massive ambitions,” Leckie said.
“Throughout my whole career the most important thing for me has been not to worry too much about the outside, what’s really important is the people around us every day and what they all think of me.
“To get this award shows that I’m doing all the right things to help play my part in the team’s success.”
A-League Women’s
COACHES AWARD
Arriving down under after a long career playing in America, Katie Bowen fit like a glove in the City line-up this season.
The New Zealand international started in every match of the season and only ever was subbed off once – leaving the pitch in the 89th minute in January’s 3-0 win over Adelaide.
Setting the standard for her younger teammates throughout the season both on and off the pitch, there were no surprises to see her take out the Coaches Award.
GOLDEN BOOT
Rhianna Pollicina enjoyed a breakout year in her first in City blue netting 7 goals, a number which she further improved on in 2022/23.
Our attacking midfielder once again was a star all season long, finding the back of the net 10 times this season. She netted three braces, including in the Semi Final against Victory where she put in one of the best individual performances of any player this season.
PLAYERS’ PLAYER
Kaitlyn Torpey has been not just a fan favourite, but also a favourite amongst the playing squad and took out the ALW Players’ Player.
She’s yet to miss a game since joining City prior to last season and has gotten better with every match, a tireless worker both in defence while also showing plenty of attacking prowess getting forward.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
It was an impressive first season in City colours for Julia Grosso, the American playing outside of her home country for the first time.
She excited fans all season with her driving runs from fullback and went painfully close to scoring on so many occasions, before breaking through with her debut professional goal against Perth in March.
Grosso told City Media on the night that it was an ‘amazing’ feeling to take out the award.
“I love playing for this club and I love playing with these girls,” Grosso said.
“I feel so blessed to play with a group that supports me and values me so much not just on the field but off the field as a person.
“I just love playing here and it’s been the best experience ever.
CLUB AWARDS
A pair of extremely hard-working employees were also recognised for all the hard work they do behind the scenes.
The Football Department’s Employee of the Year was awarded to Football Logistics Manager, Josh Bondin, who has been with the club for over 10 years. His tireless work behind the scenes ensures all players and staff had to worry about is getting the job done on the pitch.
The Administration Department’s Employee of the Year was taken out by City Football Schools Senior Manager, Gary Challinor.
He may have only joined the club just over a year ago, but his expertise has seen an already successful program taken to the next level, with City Football Schools now operating at six locations across Melbourne.
We congratulate all who were recognised on the night and everyone who’s made it another great season for the club!
