Newcastle Jets attacking midfielder Dimi Petratos has capped off a memorable A-League season by taking out all the major individual honours at his club’s gala presentation dinner on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old scored 10 goals, made 11 assists and league high 62 shot assists. In the process he helped the Jets net 57 goals this season, two more than the previous two seasons combined, propelling them into the runners-up spot on the ladder behind Sydney FC.
At the awards presentation dinner, Petratos took home a swag of awards including the Jets’ Player of the Year, Members’ Player of the Year, the Ray Baartz Medal, and the joint Jets’ Golden Boot award together with Andrew Nabbout who left the club in March to join a Japanese club.
The midfielder will also be in the running for the Johnny Warren Medal for the A-League’s Player of the Year alongside other strong contenders including Sydney FC’s Adrian Mierzejewski and Melbourne Victory’s Leroy George.
Jets coach Ernie Merrick singled out Petratos’ work ethic with special praise.
“Ten goals a season in this league is a very good level to get to,” Merrick said.
“His work ethic has been terrific. He is one of our 13-kilometre players. Most players cover 10 to 11, maybe 11.5 in a game. He has just had a tremendous season.”
Petratos’ performance for the Jets has caught the eye of new Socceroos boss Bert Van Marwijk who awarded him his first Socceroos cap in a friendly against Norway last month in the coach’s first game in charge, coincidentally alongside former teammate Nabbout.
Petratos will be hoping for a good run of performances for his club in the upcoming A-League finals series will keep him in contention for the World Cup Squad that travels to Russia mid year.
“There is no doubt that the national coach will be looking at him. He has already played a game for the Socceroos and I would love to see him go to Russia,” said Merrick.