WITH all the talk in the air about Oscars, Golden Globes and Screen Actors' Guilds I thought it was an opportune moment to take a look at the big award for Melbourne Victory players, the Victory Medal and who are some of the likely prospects to take it out.
Rodrigo Vargas
As joint winner of the 2007/08 Victory Medal with Archie Thompson, it wouldn't surprise me to see Vargas again go close to taken Victory's top honour. Has been steady as a rock at the back for most of the season having played every minute of every match with only a couple of poor performances against Sydney and Perth to his name. Has also scored some crucial goals this season from set pieces.
Billy Celeski
Coming off an Olympic campaign where he was on the few shining lights, Celeski continued his form into the Victory campaign. Has established himself as a regular in the starting XI having started in all but one match and playing more minutes than any other midfielder.
Normally used to playing in an attacking midfield role, Merrick has deployed Celeski as a defensive midfielder for most of the season and has risen to the challenge for the most part. He copped some derision earlier in the season for some of his set pieces, but has added an extra dimension to the Victory gameplan that was missing in previous seasons. Good chance to take the Medal in his first season for Victory.
Matthew Kemp
After last season being the target of many Victory fan's frustrations, Kemp was one of the standouts during Melbourne's ACL campaign and has continued that form into the 2008/09 season. He has also seen off the challenges of both Berger and Thwaite in the full back position. Likes to get forward but always remembers his defensive duties and has been rarely been beaten, showing a surprising turn of speed. Probably an outside chance to take the medal as he has only started sixteen games and plays in an unfashionable position.
Kevin Muscat
A previous two-time winner of the Victory Medal, Melbourne's inspirational captain would have to be again a chance of adding to his tally. Like his defensive partner-in-crime has played every minute of every game, and has only picked up three yellow cards for the season. For the first season ever, has failed to pick up a red card, although many opposition fans would argue that he probably was lucky on a number of occasions not to get an early shower. Has been caught napping on a number of occasion by quicker opponents but his inspirational qualities should see him poll well.
Danny Allsop
Like both Muscat and Vargas, Allsopp is a previous winner of the Victory Medal, having taken out the award in 2006/07 after scoring 12 goals for that season. Allsopp has found the back of the net 11 times during the campaign so far, so you would assume that he would again go close this season. Probably hasn't been as consistent as that 2006/07 but no one can deny his commitment to the team. Has added an aggressive streak to his game in the latter half of the season and surprisingly has the second highest amount of assists for the team with four.
Who do you think will take out the Victory Medal?
