Aurelio Vidmar and Eugene Galekovic at the Reds Awards Night.

© AUFC

Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic stole the show at the Reds’ Awards Night after he claimed a multitude of awards, including the coveted Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion Award for the second consecutive time.

The club’s night of nights at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre had a familiar semblance to last year’s event, with Galekovic taking out the two major honours, the Club Champion and Player’s Player, while midfielder Fabian Barbiero was named Best Team Man for the second year running.

However there was a new name on the Rising Star Award, exciting youngster Mathew Leckie capping off an exceptional debut season in the Hyundai A-League by claiming the honour that has previously been won by the likes of Bruce Djite, Nathan Burns and Scott Jamieson.

But the night was all about Galekovic who, along with his club accolades, also took home The Advertiser’s Golden Boot and radio broadcaster Life FM’s Player of the Year.

Being the recipient of a multitude of awards after he was named the Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season arguably confirms the 28 year olds standing as the best goalkeeper in Australia.

Just six clean sheets from the 27 rounds of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Season was not a true reflection of Galekovic’s heroics, the former Melbourne Victory keeper, who was the only United player to play every minute of the season, was a standout between the posts regularly reeling off world class saves on United’s last line of defence.

While he was grateful to be acknowledged, particularly by his teammates in receiving the Player’s Player Award, Galekovic said if he had the choice he would prefer to be playing off in a Grand Final this weekend in search of team success.

“It’s an honour. It’s a personal achievement and it’s good to be recognised, but in the end you like to play finals football and hopefully next year we can get there and win a few trophies as a team,” Galekovic said.

Joining the Reds from Melbourne after being the Victory’s second choice keeper, Galekovic has made Adelaide United’s number one his own, and he paid credit to the new lease of life he found once he crossed the border to play with United for the level he has reached.

“The time in Melbourne was difficult. I wasn’t playing much and in a way I needed to get out of there and Adelaide United gave me a chance, and I’ve got to thank them, they’ve been great and hopefully I’ve repaid them…it’s a dream come true being at this club doing what I’m doing.”

After another exceptional domestic season, Galekovic is in the mix to secure one of the three keeper spots in Australia’s 2010 World Cup squad, and while he is not getting his hopes up, he admits it would be the icing on the cake to be on the plane to South Africa.

“Yeah it would. That’s the pinnacle of football and as much as everyone wants to play overseas, World Cups are the best level you can play at, so if I get chosen it would be unbelievable and a dream come true,” Galekovic said.

Reflecting on his remarkable season that saw him go from playing State League in Melbourne to being regarded as one of the best young players in the Hyundai A-League and the winner of the Reds’ Rising Star Award in the space of just six months, Leckie also had to pinch himself on where his football journey has brought him.

“It’s an honour to win any award and it has been a great night,” Leckie said.

“The last six months have been the best thing that could ever have happened for my football career so hopefully I can just go on from here, keep pushing forward and good things will come.”

In the other awards for the night, Canberra born former AIS defender Dane Milovanovic was named the club’s most valuable National Youth League player, while striker Racheal Quigley took home the Most Valuable Player Award for Adelaide United’s Women’s Team.

After spending a night celebrating individual achievements and reminiscing on a Hyundai A-League season that failed to live up to expectations, the Reds’ focus will quickly turn to when Sanfrecce Hiroshima come to Hindmarsh Stadium for Match Day 3 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night. Tickets for the match are available through Ticketek.

Adelaide United 2009/10 Award Winners
Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion Eugene Galekovic
Player’s Player Eugene Galekovic
Best Team Man Fabian Barbiero
Rising Star Mathew Leckie
National Youth League Most Valuable Player Dane Milovanovic
Westfield W-League Most Valuable Player Racheal Quigley
Club Person of the Year Jurgen Sanger

Adelaide United FC – Previous Award Winners
Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion
2008/09 Eugene Galekovic, 2007/08 Cassio, 2006/07 Jason Spagnuolo, 2005/06 Carl Veart, 2003/04 Richie Alagich
Player’s Player
2008/09 Eugene Galekovic, 2007/08 Cassio, 2006/07 Jason Spagnuolo, 2005/06 Michael Valkanis, 2003/04 Richie Alagich
Best Team Man
2008/09 Fabian Barbiero, 2007/08 Shaun Ontong, 2006/07 Robert Cornthwaite, 2005/06 Matthew Kemp, 2003/04 Michael Valkanis
Rising Star
2008/09 Scott Jamieson, 2007/08 Bruce Djite, 2006/07 Nathan Burns, 2005/06 Adam van Dommele, 2003/04 Aaron Goulding
National Youth League Most Valuable Player
2008/09 Michael Marrone
Westfield W-League Most Valuable Player
2008/09 Di Alagich