Steven Grelli wins 2011 Sergio Melta Medal
Steven Grelli wins 2011 Sergio Melta Medal
MetroStars' midfielder Steven Grelli has claimed the 2011 Sergio Melta Medal, becoming the first player from the club to take out the Devine Super League's Player of the Year award.
Grelli finished the season on 22 votes, two clear of Adelaide City's Nicholas Orr and three votes ahead of Western Strikers' Ambesager Yosief.
The 25-year-old admitted he was surprised to hear his name called out, but privileged to have taken out the league's highest individual honour.
"It's a massive honour and privilege," he said.
"Obviously the players that have won the Serio Melta Medal in the past are great players and our league has great players involved."
"To be in the same status as them is great – a huge honour. It was definitely a huge surprise."
The Sergio Melta Medal was a three-horse race heading into Round 18 with Grelli leading the pair on 19 votes followed by Orr and Yosief on 17 and 16 votes respectively.
All three polled maximum votes in best-on-ground performances on the final day of the season to ensure a thrilling finish to the medal count.
In a stunning run of form, Grelli polled eight votes in the final three matches of the season after trailing both Orr and Yosief at the start of Round 16 – Orr led the trio with 17 votes from Yosief (16) and Grelli (14).
The hard-nosed midfielder was judged man-of-the-match four times during the campaign and collected votes in 10 of his 18 matches.
Top 10 votes – 2011 Sergio Metal Medal (Devine Super League Player of the Year)
Steven Grelli
Metro Stars
22
Nicholas Orr
Adelaide City
20
Ambesager Yosief
Western Strikers
19
Michael Matricciani
Metro Stars
15
Ricardo Da Silva
Adelaide City
15
Jackson Groves
Metro Stars
13
Kym Harris
Adelaide Blue Eagles
12
Matthew Deegan
Campbelltown
12
Michael D'Aloisio
Campbelltown
12
Nicholas Budin
Adelaide City
12
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