Victoria's top individual football awards were presented tonight at the NPL Victoria Gold Medal Night, proudly presented by Senol. The event took place at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park with over 600 people in attendance.
Football Victoria’s showpiece event was hosted by ABC’s Catherine Murphy and renowned football personality Michael Zappone – it marked the first Gold Medal Night since 2019.
Heidelberg’s Kaine Sheppard and Oakleigh’s Joseph Knowles tied for the NPL Victoria Men’s Gold Medal on 24 votes, while FV Emerging’s Sarah Cain and Box Hill’s Sofia Sakalis shared the honour of winning the NPLW Gold Medal, both finishing on 21 votes.
Oakleigh's Joseph Knowles enjoyed an ultra-consistent season, where he scored 13 goals in the home and away season.
The Cannon's star said being voted the league's best player was "massive" for him, although he was more thrilled with his team's efforts this season.
"It is nice to be rewarded for putting in the hard work over the last year and the last three or four years as well," he said.
"It wouldn't be possible without my teammates, we have had a really strong team this year, everyone pushed each other. It has been a really rewarding year and hopefully we can go one more."
Heidelberg's Kaine Sheppard said he was "very happy and delighted" to claim the accolade.
"This is something I have never won before, despite being a part of these events in the past," he said.
"I wasn't expecting it, congratulations to Joe it is a fantastic achievement for the both of us."
Sheppard was a star performer for the sixth-placed Warriors in season 2022, scoring 15 for the year. matches.
Box Hill United superstar Sofia Sakalis was "very honoured" to share the NPLW Gold Medal award with her Perth Glory teammate, Sarah Cain.
"Sarah (Cain) had an amazing season, I was definitely expecting it to be very close," she explained.
"I am so glad to be sharing this with you."
Despite finishing seventh on the NPLW ladder, Sakalis gave a glowing endorsement of her side's efforts this season.
"It was a courageous season, we put forth great performances, it is an amazing club."
FV Emerging' Sarah Cain said claiming the award was "very unexpected".
"It is a big privilege (to win the award)," she said.
"There is so many good players in this league and everyone had a good season and I just show up every week and try to do my best for the team.
"I also knew Sofia (Sakalis) had a good season so it is no surprise to see her up here too."
The full list of awards is below, congratulations to all of the night's winners!
NPLM
Gold Medal: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United FC), Joseph Knowles (Oakleigh Cannons FC)
Players' Player: Joseph Knowles (Oakleigh Cannons FC)
Golden Boot: Harrison Sawyer (South Melbourne FC)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Javier Diaz Lopez (South Melbourne FC)
Coach of the Year: Adam Piddick (Port Melbourne Sharks SC)
Goal of the Year: Charles Fry (Eastern Lions SC)
Referee of the Year: Lachlan Keevers
NPLW
Gold Medal: Sarah Cain (FV Emerging), Sofia Sakalis (Box Hill United FC)
Players' Player: Rebecca Burrows (Heidelberg United FC)
Golden Boot: Danielle Wise (Heidelberg United FC)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alyssa Dall’Oste (Calder United FC)
Coach of the Year: Helen Winterburn (FV Emerging)
Goal of the Year: Francesca Iermano (South Melbourne FC)
Referee of the Year: Caitlin Williams
NPL2
Best and Fairest: Corey Thomas (Moreland City FC)
Players' Player: Corey Thomas (Moreland City FC)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Hamish Flavell (North Geelong Warriors FC)
Coach of the Year: Stuart Begg (North Geelong Warriors FC)
Golden Boot: Caleb Mikulic (North Geelong Warriors FC)
NPL3
Best and Fairest: Andrew Mullett (Nunawading City FC)
Players' Player: Connor Bell (Preston Lions FC)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Christopher Theodoridis (Preston Lions FC)
Coach of the Year: Louie Acevski (Preston Lions FC)
Golden Boot: Connor Bell (Preston Lions FC)
Media Awards
Club Media Award: South Melbourne FC
Bill Fleming Media Award: Joe Guest (Oakleigh Cannons FC)
NPLW Media Player of the Year: Alana Cerne (Calder United FC)
Les Shorrock Best Football Image Award: Luke Radziminski