Adelaide Olympic playmaker Ricardo Da Silva wins Sergio Melta Medal for NPL SA player of year

A veteran playmaker, who led Adelaide Olympic to a history-making NPL SA season, has been rewarded with state soccer’s highest individual honour, the Sergio Melta Medal.

• Reds seek VAR consistency after tough loss
• How to get the most from your Advertiser digital subscription

Veteran playmaker Ricardo Da Silva has been rewarded for leading Adelaide Olympic to its most successful season with state soccer’s highest individual honour.

The Portuguese-born attacker claimed the Sergio Melta Medal for the National Premier Leagues SA player of the year at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday night.

It followed a history-making campaign for Da Silva, 35, who in June captained Olympic to FFA Cup SA success — the club’s first major trophy.

The former Adelaide United A-League player also helped the Ferryden Park-based outfit to the round-of-16 in its national knockout debut and a top-four SA league finish.

He polled 34 votes to secure the medal, in front of more than 900 people at Football Federation SA’s awards night.

Adelaide Olympic captain Ricardo Da Silva has won the Sergio Melta Medal for the NPL SA’s player of the year. Picture: Adam Butler

Adelaide Blue Eagles midfielder Hamish McCabe (30 votes) was runner-up, but was named coach’s player of the year.

Aladin Irabona, of Adelaide United (17), Terence Carter, of Raiders, and Matthew Bouraee, of West Adelaide (both 16), rounded out the Melta Medal top five.

Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. \Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Double-winning Campbelltown City mentor Joe Mullen was crowned top coach, in the final season of his glittering Reds Devils reign.

Croydon Kings duo Kerrin Stokes (rising star) and John Hall (best goalkeeper) were also recognised.

Olympic striker Christos Pounendis received the Golden Boot, after plundering 19 goals in 22 games.

Hamish McCabe, of Adelaide Blue Eagles, claimed the NPL SA coach’s vote award. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

The Shirley Brown Medal for the Women’s NPL’s player of the year went to West Adelaide’s Anna Pritchard, while Adelaide City gun Dylan Holmes took home the coach’s vote award.

Andrew Calderbank (Adelaide City) and Tracey Jenkins (Salisbury Inter) shared mentor of the year honours, while 30-goal Black and Whites forward Chelsie Dawber won the Golden Boot.

Young Matildas and Adelaide University custodian Evelyn Goldsmith was named best goalkeeper. Her club mate Mawa Sumaoro was female rising star.

Sturt Lions’ Akira Kobaishi was voted State League One player of the year and Northern Demons’ Mateusz Marczuk earned the State League Two gong.

FOOTBALL FEDERATION SA AWARDS

National Premier Leagues SA

Sergio Melta Medal: Ricardo Da Silva (Adelaide Olympic)

Triple M Player of the Year (coach’s award): Hamish McCabe (Adelaide Blue Eagles)

Coach of the Year — Martyn Crook Trophy: Joe Mullen (Campbelltown City)

Golden Boot: Christos Pounendis (Adelaide Olympic)

Goalkeeper of the Year — Peter Nikolich Trophy: John Hall (Croydon Kings)

Campbelltown City mentor Joe Mullen was named NPL SA coach of the year, in his final season with the Red Devils. Picture: Brenton Edwards

John Aloisi Rising Star: Kerrin Stokes (Croydon Kings)

Team of the Year: John Hall (Croydon Kings); Shaun Harvey, Iain Fyfe (Campbelltown City), Kerrin Stokes (Croydon Kings), Kyle Krout (Para Hills); Hamish McCabe (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Alex Mullen (Campbelltown City), Allan Welsh (Adelaide Comets); Yohei Matsumoto (Campbelltown City), Terence Carter (Raiders), Christos Pounendis (Adelaide Olympic)

Women’s National Premier Leagues SA

Shirley Brown Medal: Anna Pritchard (West Adelaide)

James Thredgold Jeweller Player of the Year (coach’s award): Dylan Holmes (Adelaide City)

Coach of the Year — Bob Bush Trophy: Andrew Calderbank (Adelaide City) and Tracey Jenkins (Salisbury Inter)

Golden Boot: Chelsie Dawber (Adelaide City)

WNPL SA coach’s award winner Dylan Holmes (left) celebrates Adelaide City’s grand final win with teammates Georgia Campagnale and Bianca Gray. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

Goalkeeper of the Year: Evelyn Goldsmith (Adelaide University)

Female Rising Star: Mawa Sumaoro (Adelaide University)

Team of the Year: Evelyn Goldsmith (Adelaide University); Emily Hodgson, Elena Psaroulis (West Adelaide), Jenna McCormick (Fulham United), Zoe Tolland (FFSA NTC); Dylan Holmes, Nano Sasaki, Yuka Sasaki (Adelaide City); Chelsie Dawber (Adelaide City), Emily Condon (West Adelaide), Laura Johns (Adelaide University)

State League One

Player of the Year — Bob Telfer Medal: Akira Kobaishi (Sturt Lions)

Coach of the Year: Jason Trimboli (Modbury Jets)

Golden Boot: Shaun McGreevy and Joshua Farrell (Modbury Jets)

Goalkeeper of the Year — Les Avory Trophy: Kieren Griffiths (Modbury Jets)

Sturt Lions player Akira Kobaishi claimed the Bob Telfer Medal for State League One’s top performer. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

State League Two

Player of the Year: Mateusz Marczuk (Northern Demons)

Coach of the Year: Craig Leith (Adelaide Hills)

Golden Boot: Iradi Baragomwa (Gawler Eagles)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Connor Hudson (Adelaide Hills)

Referees

Mike Ingham Referee of the Year: Daniel Cook

Mick O’Malley Young Referee of the Year: Henry Day

Referee Rising Star: Jackie Megson

Hall of Fame inductees

Hall of Honour: Moya Dodd

Hall of Champions: Neville Flounders