In a blow to the unsettled Newcastle Jets, former prodigy Archie Goodwin took home the A-League Men’s (ALM) Young Footballer of the Year award this week.
The 20-year-old striker, who departed the Hunter for Adelaide United at the start of the 2024/25 season, capped off a phenomenal debut year with the Reds.
After struggling with injuries, and a lack of game time at Newcastle, Goodwin parted ways with his local outfit for greener pastures in South Australia.
He donned the “red, blue and yellow” jumper on 26 occasions (19 starts), scoring an impressive 13 goals.
His prolific form also saw him finish as the equal top goalscorer in the ALM – alongside Sydney FC’s Adrian Segecic – making him the youngest Golden Boot winner in A-League history.
“I’m really happy and grateful to receive this award,” Goodwin said.
“I’ve had a very good breakout year and I think my hard work has really paid off.
“Getting consistent match minutes has been the biggest factor… you can’t replicate game time at training.
“To be able to do that every weekend with the trust of my coaches and teammates meant a lot.”
It wasn’t all bad news for the Jets at the 2025 Dolan Warren Awards.
A-League Women’s (ALW) star Sophie Hoban, who picked up Newcastle’s 2024/25 Player of the Year and Cheryl Salisbury awards, captured the eToro Playmaker of the Year honours.
The midfielder was rewarded for her driving run and silky assist in injury-time against Melbourne Victory in round 20.
Meanwhile, Clayton Taylor, who has sought a release from his Jets’ contract, finished fifth in the Johnny Warren Medal, which is awarded to the best player in the ALM.
The gifted winger amassed 21 points, just seven behind eventual winner Nicolas Milanovi (Western Sydney Wanderers).
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Angus Thurgate, now with Western United, was second on the list with 25.
Melbourne Victory’s Alex Chidiac claimed the 2024/25 Julie Dolan Medal as the best ALW player.
She became the fifth person to win the medal on multiple occasions after Michelle Heyman, Sam Kerr, Clare Polkinghorne and Taryn Rockall.
2025 Dolan Warren Awards
Isuzu UTE A-League Men
- Johnny Warren Medal: Nicolas Milanovic, Western Sydney Wanderers
- Coach of the Year: Steve Corica, Auckland FC
- Shark Fan Player of the Year: Francis De Vries, Auckland FC
- Boost Mobile Young Footballer of the Year: Archie Goodwin, Adelaide United
- eToro Playmaker of the Year: Zac Sapsford, Western Sydney Wanderers
- Goal of the Year: Jordan Lauton, Western United
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Alex Paulsen, Auckland FC
- Save of the Year: Alex Paulsen, Auckland FC
- Fair Play Award: Adelaide United
Ninja A-League Women
- Julie Dolan Medal: Alex Chidiac, Melbourne Victory
- Coach of the Year: Adrian Stenta, Adelaide United
- Shark Fan Player of the Year: Isabel Gomez, Central Coast Mariners
- Boost Mobile Young Footballer of the Year: Indiana Dos Santos
- eToro Playmaker of the Year: Sophie Hoban, Newcastle Jets
- Goal of the Year: Alana Jancevski, Melbourne Victory
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Sarah Langman, Central Coast Mariners
- Save of the Year: Claudia Jenkins, Adelaide United
- Fair Play Award: Melbourne City
For more sports stories:
- League legend Johnny King confident grandson Max will handle Origin heat
- Pickers dominate Butcher Birds in statement win
- Illawarra Hawks champion coach swoops into Hunter Sports High
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