Central Coast Mariners skipper Oliver Bozanic has been rewarded for his excellent A-League campaign, winning the PFA Player of the Month award for matches played in February.
Selected from a shortlist of three players by the PFA nominations committee, Bozanic received the highest number of votes from his peers to be crowned as February’s standout player.
The players' votes are in! ?️@CCMariners have won back-to-back #POTM awards with @oliverbozanic securing February's @ALeague accolade, while @SydneyFC's Clare Wheeler has claimed the @WLeague vote!
Congrats Oli and Clare! ?
? https://t.co/2CrF3hHG1w pic.twitter.com/AsEPpYbmhP
— The PFA (@thepfa) March 17, 2021
Bozanic finished ahead of February’s A-League nominees Alessandro Diamanti (Western United) and Matt Derbyshire (Macarthur FC) in the player poll, and said it was a ‘great feeling’ to be recognised by his fellow players across the league.
“I’m grateful for all the players that voted for me. It’s a great feeling and privilege to be recognised by the players from around the league,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be possible to be nominated without my teammates, coaches, the club and the great start we have had to our season.”
“I’m feeling positive, we are growing and developing as a team every day. We are pushing each other for more success and to raise the bar every training session.”
Bozanic was again in fine form as the Mariners drew 2-2 with Perth on Sunday afternoon, and has been an integral part of the Mariners season so far, as they sit on top of the table ahead of a blockbuster clash with Melbourne City on Monday at AAMI Park.
The midfielder scored his first A-League goal since returning to the Coast when the Mariners beat Wellington 2-0 in Wollongong midday through February, and starred in a victory over Western United and matches against Adelaide United and the Phoenix again.
Bozanic’s win follows that of Mariners teammate Alou Kuol, who was recognised as the winner of the award for December/January.
