Kerr, Chidiac and Salisbury claim PFA awards

Samantha Kerr, Alex Chidiac and Cheryl Salisbury were among the award recipients at the 2017 PFA Awards held in Newcastle.

Voted on by their peers, Perth Glory captain and Matildas forward Sam Kerr was named the 2017 PFA Player of the Year for the second time.

“To be voted by your fellow players as the PFA Footballer of the Year is a huge honour,” said Kerr.

“I have been fortunate to enjoy so many great experiences with the Matildas and with my clubs over the past 12 months and this just tops it off."

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“The respect of your peers means so much and I’m very thankful to my teammates and everyone that voted for me.”

For Kerr it was her second award in 2017 after earning the Julie Dolan Medal for the 2016/17 W-League Player of the Year.

Another player to have as strong W-League season was rewarded with Adelaide United midfielder Alex Chidiac earning the inaugural PFA Young Player of the Year.

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The 18 year old was key for the Lady Reds in Season 9 with her performances at the centre of the park earning her a recall to the Matildas for the 2017 Algarve Cup and the 2017 Tournament of Nations. For the Young Matildas Chidiac is a central figure and is set to feature strongly in their campaign to qualify for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

“To be named as the as the inaugural PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year means so much to me especially as my fellow nominees all had great seasons," said Chidiac.

"To win an award voted by the people you play with and against is something all players value very highly.”

The highly anticipated moment of the night was the awarding of former Matildas captain Cheryl Salisbury with the Alex Tobin OAM Medal.

In front of a hometown crowd in with several former teammates on hand, Salisbury became the first women's footballer to receive the medal for her contribution to the game.

It comes at a time when the team she helped build is reaching new heights. Something that is not lost on the player who holds the record for Matildas caps (151).

“I’m very proud to be the first female to win the award and to receive it in my home town with my family and friends with me was a privilege," Salisbury said.

“After having been out of the sport for close to 10 years to be recognised by the current generation is a phenomenal thing.”

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