This is Champness’s first nomination for the gong.

The 20-year-old joins Melbourne City FC attacker Bruce Kamau (October), as well as Central Coast Mariners creative Daniel De Silva (November) as a nominee for the prestigious Award.

Champness contributed strongly to Newcastle's strong surge up the A-League ladder in December, starting all five of the team’s fixtures as Ernie Merrick’s men defeated Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers at home, as well as Perth Glory away.

He has appeared in every Newcastle A-League match this season, and has scored two goals for the Novocastrians.

Champness could add to that tally this evening when Newcastle takes on Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium in round 14 of the competition.

The NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2017/18 will be announced at the Dolan Warren Awards Night.

Champness’s nominated junior club will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award, which includes a range of equipment along with $2000.

The overall winner will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, along with a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking products and services.

Each month representatives from the FFA Technical Department vote on a 3-2-1 basis for the most outstanding U23 players in the Hyundai A-League during that period.