Melbourne Victory defender, Damien Da Silva and forward Beattie Goad have taken out the respective Men’s and Women’s 2023 Victory Medal on Monday night.
The annual player of the year awards night was held at Palladium at Crown and rounded off the Isuzu UTE A-League and Liberty A-League seasons for Melbourne Victory.
Frenchman, Da Silva, stormed home in the back end of the Men’s season to take out the award after joining the Club in January while Goad was the Women’s side’s most consistent performer over their title-defending season.
Da Silva said he was honoured by the accolade, saying he was surprised to come in so late in the season and take out the Club’s highest individual honour.
“It came as a bit of a shock but I’m incredibly honoured to be this season’s Victory Medalist and I want to thank my teammates and coaches for their support this season,” Da Silva said.
“Always coming into a side mid-season is more difficult but everyone here at Melbourne Victory has supported me and my family in settling in and you could tell that I was enjoying my football in Melbourne.”
Men’s Head Coach, Tony Popovic lauded Da Silva’s influence since landing in Melbourne.
“Damien has brought a level of professionalism and determination that has seen him recognised for his contribution to our season in such a short space of time,” Popovic said.
“We knew Damien would fit straight into the team’s values and ethos and his stand-out performances towards the end of our season showed how important he was to our side and how he’ll continue to be an important player for us next season.”
Goad was also thankful for the support of her teammates and coaches in her first season back in Australia with Melbourne Victory.
“It’s an honour to take out this award, especially at a Club that has provided so much to me as a footballer,” Goad said.
“This is an amazing group of girls who have achieved so much over the past couple of seasons and to be recognised in this way in a team with so much talent across the board makes me incredibly proud.”
Women’s Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins heaped praise on Goad, saying she was exemplary in her return season at Victory.
“Beattie has personified what being a Melbourne Victory player and representing this squad should be all about,” Hopkins said.
“Her selflessness in every role we’ve asked her to play while at the same time, delivering at such a high level on and off the field is why she is such a deserving winner of this award and we’re proud to have her here at Melbourne Victory.”
The night’s other winners saw Bruno Fornaroli and Casey Dumont take out the Player’s Player award while Matt Bozinovski and Jessika Nash were awarded the Rick Smith Young Player of the Year Award. Sam and Maria Cuteri and Glenda Biasin were also presented Mario Biasin Life Memberships, recognising their contribution to the Club.
Full Victory Medal winners
Victory Medal – Men’s: Damien Da Silva
Victory Medal – Women’s: Beattie Goad
Player’s Player – Men’s: Bruno Fornaroli
Player’s Player – Women’s: Casey Dumont
TAC Golden Boot – Men’s: Bruno Fornaroli
MATE Golden Boot – Women’s: Melina Ayres
Rick Smith Young Player of the Year – Men’s: Matt Bozinvoski
Rick Smith Young Player of the Year – Women’s: Jessika Nash
Canva Goal of the Season: Melina Ayres v Wellington Phoenix – Round 20
Mario Biasin Life Member Induction: Glenda Biasin, Sam Cuteri, Maria Cuteri
Member of the Year: Tessa Veljanovski
