Perth Glory FC celebrated its Most Glorious Players for 2014/15 at the club’s Season Launch at the State Reception Centre at Fraser’s Restaurant last week.
Towering defender Dino Djulbic won the award for the Hyundai A-League team, 22-year-old Matildas sensation Samantha Kerr scooped the gong for the new look Perth Glory Women, while it was a case of double delight for centre-back Jacob Collard, who won the award for a second-straight year for the National Youth League team.
32-year old Djulbic enjoyed a strong campaign last season, netting three important goals and provided strength and experience at the back.
Djulbic, who returned last season for his second stint with Glory, was a key factor in the team’s deadliness from set pieces and became one of the club’s indispensable stars in the process.
Off the pitch it was a tough year for Djulbic whose father Esad lost his battle to melanoma cancer.
After receiving his award Djulbic tweeted “Thank u all n I would like to dedicate Most Glorious Player [?] @PerthGloryFC to my DAD#LoveYaDad” (https://twitter.com/DinoDjulbic/status/647395222243012614)
The West Australian signed a two year extension earlier this year and is yet again expected to be a ‘rock of Gibraltar’ for Glory’s back line.
In the Women’s game, Samantha Kerr has always been a revelation for Glory, but was particularly prolific as she helped the team claim the W-League Premiership.
Kerr scored an incredible 11 goals in only 10 Westfield W-League matches last season, including a hat-trick against Sydney FC, to finish as the league’s 2nd top scorer behind fellow Matilda’s legend Kate Gill.
She also finished the season as the Westfield W-League Players’ Player of the year.
While the team fell short in the Grand Final last year the 22-year old tipped her team to yet again be a contender going forward this season
“I definitely think it’s every player’s dream to play in a grand final so if f we can do it two years in a row and go one step further it will be great” she said.
Jacob Collard picked up the NYL Most Glorious Player award for the second straight year.
The Glory Youth captain is proud of his Indigenous Nyoongar heritage, and has been a revelation in defence for the Y-League team, coming agonisingly close to guiding his side to the Foxtel NYL title last season.
Collard was also named in the squad in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 against Newcastle Jets in the Hunter Valley, and is tipped to have a bright future at the club.
“It’s a very humbling experience, I was fortunate enough to play with a special group of boys last season and coming third in the league. It was a massive achievement for all of us, we could’ve won it but I’m just really humbled by winning the MGP this year.
All three players return for the 2015-16 Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel National Youth League competitions.
Join them this year in our quest for more Glory; get your match tickets (here: http://www.perthglory.com.au/tickets/a_league) and membership now: http://membership.perthglory.com.au/
#WestVsRest #ThreeTeamsOneGlory
