Melbourne Victory youth team defenders John Vakirtzis and Callum Goulding have taken the individual honours at the club’s PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria awards night.
Vakirtzis was named Coaches’ Player of the Year for the seniors, while Goulding was voted Players’ Player of the Year.
In the under-20 awards, 15-year-old Aaron Anderson won the Coaches’ Player of the Year and 16-year-old Joshua Cavallo was crowned Players’ Player of the Year.
After winning promotion last season, Victory was relegated following a difficult first campaign in Victoria’s top flight.
Eighteen-year-olds Vakirtzis (21 appearances) and Goulding (20) were mainstays in defence this season.
Vakirtzis, who captained the seniors for the final three rounds of the campaign, recently attended a training camp with the Young Socceroos.
Goulding continued his impressive development as a central defender after winning the under-20 Coaches’ Player of the Year last season. He made an appearance for Victory’s Hyundai A-League team against Port Melbourne Sharks earlier this month.
Anderson, also a central defender, made 22 appearances for the under-20s in his first season at the club.
Cavallo, who scored seven goals in 21 appearances as captain of the under-20s, made his senior debut against Hume City in Round 18.
Victory’s under-20 team finished the season in fifth position on the ladder with 13 wins, five draws and six losses.
Melbourne Victory 2016 NPL Honour Roll
Seniors
Coaches’ Player of the Year – John Vakirtzis
Players’ Player of the Year – Callum Goulding
Under-20s
Coaches’ Player of the Year – Aaron Anderson
Players’ Player of the Year – Joshua Cavallo
