Top scorer Griffiths wins Australian player award

AFP - 27 February 2008 08:56

Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths, seen here in September 2007, was named player of the year in Australia´s A-League Wednesday, adding to his Grand Final winners medal and the league´s Golden Boot award.

SYDNEY (AFP) - Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths was named player of the year in Australia's A-League Wednesday, adding to his Grand Final winners medal and the league's Golden Boot award.

Griffiths was the runaway winner for the Johnny Warren player of the year award, attracting 394 votes from fellow players, well ahead of his closest rivals Alex Brosque of Sydney FC on (254) and Wellington's Shane Smeltz (157).

"This is like the icing on the cake, I'm just going to cherish it and this will be a year I'll never forget," Griffiths told reporters.

Griffiths' Jets downed the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in the season decider Sunday, with the striker having already slotted 12 goals in the campaign to win the Golden Boot for most A-League goals.

The Jets also gained two other awards with Gary Van Egmond named coach of the year and the team getting the fair play award.

Adelaide United's Bruce Djite received the rising star award for the most outstanding under-20 player in the A-League, and Melbourne Victory's Michael Theoklitos took the inaugural goalkeeper of the year award.