Dubbed by the media as the hat-trick hero and the comeback kid, it’s no surprise that Brisbane Roar’s Dimitri Petratos has been named as one of the nominees for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award 2013/14.
As the January nominee, Petratos joins the ranks of Trent Sainsbury, who was voted in October, Adam Taggart in November and Storm Roux in December.
“It’s a great feeling to be nominated for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award,” Petratos said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my football since coming to Brisbane and I feel like I’m continuing to learn every day under the coaching staff and alongside my teammates.”
“It’s been a big team effort to get the club to where we currently are and I’m just happy to play my part and contribute where I can.”
Another two players will be nominated before the winner is decided.
Dimitri just extended his contract for the league leaders, and will be playing for the Roar till 2016. The 20-year-old has thrived under coach Mike Mulvey, a big change from his Sydney FC days where getting game time was a struggle. Now, Petratos is one of the team’s regulars, and has scored impressive goals that have made him a crowd favourite. His first hat-trick in December was against his old team Sydney FC, in a whopping 5-2 thrashing.
He also scored the third goal in their next match against Melbourne Victory, another clean win, 3-0.
Each month representatives from the football media and the FFA Technical department vote on a 3-2-1 basis for the most outstanding U-21 players in the League during that period.
The overall winner of the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award 2013/14 will receive a $10,000 NAB personal investment portfolio, along with a NAB
Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services.