Alex Chidiac joins Sam Kerr as a two-time Dolan Medal winner

She didn’t get to lift the A-Leagues’ Women’s championship trophy but Victory star Alex Chidiac hasn’t finished the season empty handed - claiming her second Julie Dolan medal. See the full list of winners here.

When Alex Chidiac got the invite to attend the Dolan Warren Award she didn’t expect to be heading home with a second Julie Dolan medal around her neck.

The Melbourne Victory midfielder joins Michelle Heyman, Sam Kerr, Clare Polkinghorne and Taryn Rockall – as just the fifth person to win the prize for the best player in the A-League’s Women’s more than once.

Despite a standout season and playing a vital role in Victory’s 15 game unbeaten streak and grand final appearance Chidiac didn’t consider herself deserving of the award.

She thought she’d been invited as a finalist in the Fan Player of the Year category.

“I’m still processing it, it’s an honour,” Chidiac said.

“Im definitely quite harsh on myself and my performances so it’s an interesting one to process.”

Chidiac took on a very different role this season switching to a defensive midfield position as opposed to being a playmaking No. 10.

Alex Chidiac poses with the Julie Dolan Medal. Picture: Getty Images for A-Leagues

“It is cool to know that I’ve got that in my locker but I’ll be playing some street soccer in the off-season to make sure I’ve still got the skills to back up as a No. 10,” Chidiac said.

The Matildas midfielder said there was so much talent in the league currently and players, Champions League winners Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord who got their start in the A-Leagues.

“We have some of the best players in the world, we have a massive pool of talent and we have to keep investing in our players to see the game grow,” Chidiac said.

Western Sydney Wanderers forward Nicolas Milanovic, in his third season with the club and his sixth in the league, was dubbed the winner of the Johnny Warren Medal.

The impressive forward played a big role in Wanderers’ run to the finals scoring 12 goals and registering six assists during the season.

Wanderers star Nicolas Milanovic was named Johnny Warren Medal winner. Picture: Getty Images

His efforts were so impressive he earned a Socceroos call up and caught the eye of overseas teams – signing a contract with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen FC for a club-record transfer fee.

Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said Milanovic was very deserving of the award.

“It is fantastic for our club and amazing for Nicolas, the whole club is really proud of his achievements this year,” Hudson said.

Adelaide United women’s coach Adrian Stenta who took the team from bottom of the table last season to finals contenders was voted women’s coach of the year for the second time in his career.

Adrian Stenta was named coach of the year after steering Adelaide United from the bottom of the table to finals contenders. Picture: Getty Images for A-Leagues

It was a record breaking season for Adelaide United who progressed to the semi-final for the first time in the club’s history.

Stenta credited the results to the players and said the squad depth allowed him to be “tactically flexible”.

The Adelaide coach said if anything needed to change in the league it was the addition of 12 month contracts for the women’s players.

“If we can get 12 months contracts across the league maybe we can introduce a women’s cup competition as well, just having more access to staff and players over a longer period of time would lift the level of professionalism across the league considerably,” he said.