THE Hurt Locker may have been the big winner at the recent Academy Awards, but I wonder whose name will be being called when Newcastle Jets hold their annual awards night?

Here is a run down of every player to have donned the gold and navy of our Hunter heroes in the 2009/10 season (did I miss anyone?), and at bottom who I'd be placing a few lobsters on for the major gongs - if only their was a market to do so.

Feel free to tell me the players I chose were actually rubbish, or agree with my summations from what was another topsy-turvy Newcastle Jets campaign.

Like movie reviews, I favour the 'X' out of five star rating system for overall achievement, too. 

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1. Ben KENNEDY (GK):  3 / 5

BK bashings became commonplace for many fans this season (from Newcastle, and not), with the low point being some members of the Squadron actually cheering when he got injured in the final round. But while BK undoubtedly made a number of dubious errors throughout the year, he also stood up when it mattered most, producing a virtuoso display against Gold Coast in the first elimination final. Has some way to go, but I for one am a BK believer.

2. Angelo COSTANZO: 2.5 / 5

Injury and the form of Ljubo Milicevic and Nikolai Topor-Stanley restricted Costanzo to only eight starts and 807 minutes of football this campaign. Nevertheless, an able squad man whose years of experience would have helped younger squad members. Reportedly returning to Adelaide to play in the South Australian State League.

3. Adam D'APUZZO: 4 / 5

For mine Puzz is an undervalued commodity. He made 25 starts (27 appearances) in a season totalling 29 games, and his versatility saw him shift between left back and holding midfield on occasion. The quiet achiever among the group.

4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY: 4 / 5

You could have heard my groan in Perth when I first heard we'd signed Topor before the ACL - but boy has this player grown on me. Like D'Apuzzo, he was an ever present with 28 appearances and never takes a backwards step. Having had the good fortune to chat to him a couple of times too, Topor is a really nice guy to have around the club.

5. Ljubo MILICEVIC: 3.5 / 5

Comments in this blog about big Ljubo were taken out of context during the ACL campaign. I've always been a big fan of Milicevic and continue to be. Had a strong year in the backline but maybe tapered off a wee bit as the season progressed. Rumoured to be going to the Chinese Super League or back to Victoria with Melbourne Heart, but I'd happily see him extend his stay in the Hunter.

6. Ben KANTAROVSKI: 3.5 / 5

I don't think we always saw the best of Kanta in a Jets shirt this year. But, this is probably because the 18-year-old has set such a high standard for himself, and of which we as fans now expect to see. Considering his age, the amount of travel and football he has played in the past two years, Kantarovski produced a credible campaign to accompany his debut season. Could next season be his final in a Jets shirt before his inevitable European move?

7. SONG Jin-Hyung 3.5 / 5

A fan favourite and a favourite of Branko, Song made 28 starts scoring four goals in what could prove to be his swansong season. Apparently off to trial in The Netherlands and France, he just missed scoring higher on my scale because while effervescent, I always felt he had one more gear to move into, but didn't.

8. Matt THOMPSON 4.5 / 5   

Robert Dillon took the words right out of my mouth when he wrote "What's Newcastle Jets' loss is Melbourne Hearts' gain". Eight goals from midfield, brilliant engines and a stellar attitude places Thommo amongst the model professionals in the A-League - the type of guy you want your kid to be like. Love to see him return some day.

9. Sasho PETROVSKI 3 / 5

I don't have a great deal of confidence Petrovski will wear our jersey next campaign because I know he has the eagerness (even at 34) to be in the first XI week in, week out. Having come off the bench in 13 of his 19 appearances, thus making only six starts, it's hard to rank Petrovski higher but he was a menace when he did see game time and almost won the day in Wellington, which was credible.

11. Tarek ELRICH 3.5 / 5

Plagued by a groin injury all year, Tarek was a trooper to keep contributing to the cause rather than adding to the injury list. But, in comparison to previous seasons, there was a sense he was restricted by the injury as his marauding forward runs lessened. He admitted as much in last weekend's Herald, but I'm backing the boy to come back booming in season six with his groin having already had surgery and his recuperation underway.

12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE 4 / 5

Jobe came of age this season. Indeed, few would have thought even a year ago we'd have been sweating on his fitness, relying on him to anchor the midfield going into a semi-final across the ditch, but those were the circumstances just over a week ago. A great year, one of the goals of the season, and we look forward to a replica campaign when it all starts again in August.

13. Shaun ONTONG N/A

One start for 30 minutes of action, and injury struck again. Poor Shaun, thankfully, is about a month away from full action and hopefully next time out he can stay injury free. Apparently seeking State League action in pursuit of another A-League deal, but his current Jets contract has expired.

14. Michael BRIDGES 4 / 5

Had 15 appearances, 15 starts and six goals. Injury curtailed Bridges' end to the season and had he been there perhaps we would have finished higher up the ladder and had a couple of extra chances in the finals. Wasn't to be however, but with a new deal having already been signed, the extremely capable Brit should be back banging them away next campaign.

15. Sean ROONEY 3 / 5

His 18 appearances for just two goals doesn't make brilliant reading for a striker, but the two he did score were beauties. Nevertheless, Rooney's speed and youthful endeavour played its part in a campaign also interrupted by injury and a youth World Cup appearance, so the boy did alright.

16. Jason HOFFMAN 2 / 5

Jason made just nine appearances this season and in truth, that surprises me (I thought he'd made less). Two goals on opening day showed plenty of promise but the athletic youngster just never fell exactly into Branko's plans which probably made his final campaign as a Jet a frustrating one. Moves on to Melbourne Heart with JVS obviously an admirer of the Newcastle product.

17. Fabio VIGNAROLI 3 / 5

Injury ruined marquee Fabio's year and he may have come into his own as the season progressed. Nevertheless, a good contributor when fit, and it remains to be seen whether he arrives on the Williamtown runway to play in the Jets jersey again. 

19. Jason NAIDOVSKI 2 / 5

Five appearances off the bench for one goal - the winner against Phoenix in round 1. Not sure about his contract situation but wouldn't be surprised if Naidovski sought more game time elsewhere.

26. Ali ABBAS 3.5 / 5

Ali was largely peripheral to start with but came into his own in the latter part of the season and semi-final series. New deal is said to be all but sewn up and the Iraqi whizz could carve up next campaign as he settles further into life in Newcastle, and Australia.

22. Kaz PATAFTA 3 / 5

He had 20 appearances this season with many of those coming late from the bench. Achieved just 834 minutes of football (which is more than double his two previous seasons at Melbourne and Newcastle), but I still get the sense he's punching below his weight - hard, I guess, cause he's a slight 64kg. But I reckon, you probably reckon, and I'm sure Kaz believes he's got much more still to show in the A-League.

20. Neil YOUNG 3.5 / 5

A clean sheet once every three games makes for impressive reading for Young. Received his chance in adverse circumstances with BK having been injured in the warm up, but took it well and the first choice goalkeepers spot is surely up for grabs when pre-season resumes in May.

Mirjan PAVLOVIC 2 / 5

For a youngster, Pavlovic did well in his few appearances under pressure circumstances. Could have capped off his rise to the first team with goals against Gold Coast and Wellington, but fluffed his chances. Nevertheless, he'll be better for the experience and should have done enough to earn a first team deal, I'd suspect.

Scott BALDERSON N/A

Debuted with a 20 minute cameo against Adelaide United in the final round.

Chris TRIANTIS N/A

Played a couple of games at the start of the year and I remember thinking he was worth another look. A quick Google search indicates he's currently at Sydney Olympic.

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And my awards go to... (Drum Roll)

Player of the Season: Matt Thompson

Coaches Award: Nikolai Topor-Stanley

Rookie of the Season: Neil Young

Goal of the Season: Jobe Wheelhouse (bomb v Gold Coast)

Fans' Player of the Season: Matt Thompson