Brisbane Strikers’ Fraser Hills was last night awarded the Michael Cockerill Medal at the 2019 FFA Cup Final.
The Michael Cockerill Medal is presented each year to the most outstanding player in the FFA Cup from a non-A-League team.
24-year-old Hills was an integral part of Strikers’ history-making FFA Cup run, as his side recorded wins against Manly United, Moreland Zebras and Hyundai A-League side Wellington Phoenix to become the first Queensland team to ever reach the Semi Final of the competition.
The Strikers midfielder scored three goals in his side’s FFA Cup campaign, including netting the winning penalty in their Round of 32 upset victory against Wellington Phoenix.
“It’s amazing to win such a great award and I thank my teammates for helping to make it happen,” Hills told Fox Sports.
Hills is the first ever Queensland-based player to receive the Michael Cockerill Medal, which is named after the legendary late football broadcaster and passionate supporter of the game in Australia.
The inaugural award was presented to Avondale FC’s Elvis Kamsoba last year, who has since become a regular member of Melbourne Victory’s Hyundai starting side.
Hills, who was also awarded Brisbane Strikers’ Player of the Year Award in recent weeks, said he too has ambitions to play at a higher level.
“Everyone wants to go further and to that next level,” Hills said.
“Hopefully one day it will come around and we [he and his Strikers teammates] can do it.”
Congratulations to Fraser on the outstanding achievement.
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