Brisbane Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne capped off another impressive season in the orange jersey, being named joint Westfield W-League Player of the Year with Sam Kerr from Perth Glory at the Dolan Warren Awards in Sydney last night.

Polkinghorne is recognised as one of the best defenders in the world and it comes as little surprise the Australian representative starred in her side’s 2017/18 campaign, playing every minute in the Roar’s run to take home the Premiers’ Plate.

It is the second time Polkinghorne has won the prestigious Julie Dolan medal, previously winning the award in 2012/13.

Brisbane Roar coach Mel Andreatta was named Westfield W-League Coach of the Year in just her second season in charge while Roar custodians Jamie Young and Mackenzie Arnold both claimed Goalkeeper of the Year awards.

Despite 2017/18 being a tough season for Brisbane, Young was superb between the sticks claiming the league’s best shots to save percentage and coming second in the saves made category (91).

Arnold played a big role in helping the Roar Women concede the least amount of goals in the league (12), keeping six clean sheets in 13 appearances with a save success rate of 74.5%.

In the referee department, Queenslanders Jarred Gillett and Casey Reibelt won Hyundai A-League Referee of the Year and Westfield W-League Referee of the Year awards respectively.

It is Gillett’s fifth time winning the award, a Hyundai A-League record, capping off another strong campaign with the whistle.

 

Words: Brett Sinclair
Image: Getty Images