The Johnny Warren Medal is awarded to the best player of the Australian national soccer club competition. It was first awarded in the National Soccer League in 1990, and upon the NSL's demise in November 2004, was carried forward into the new national club competition, the A-League. It is named after former Australia national soccer team captain and tireless promoter of soccer in Australia, Johnny Warren.
The medal was previously determined by the votes of current players after rounds 9, 18 and 27. The format was changed for the 2015-16 A-League season following consultation with all A-League clubs, the PFA and the Warren family.
For the 2015–16 A-League season to determine the medal a new four body panel was introduced that independently vote on a 3–2–1 basis after each regular season match, which is consolidated into a single 3–2–1 vote. The four body panel consists of: A technical football expert; A football media representative; A former professional player representative; and A combined vote from the match officials. The eligible player(s) who receive the most votes for the regular season will determine the winner of the medal.
Since 2016 the award has been presented jointly with the Julie Dolan Medal at an event known as the Warren – Dolan Awards, where both A-League and W-League awards are presented.
Eligibility A player is ineligible to win the medal if they are: suspended as a result of receiving a direct red card in a match; suspended as a result of a determination of a body under the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations; convicted of an anti-doping offence; found guilty of serious misconduct; a Guest Player; and/or found guilty of breaching an FFA Statute.
List of winners
NSL YearPlayerClubRef. 1989–90 Željko Adžić Melbourne Croatia 1990–91 Milan Ivanovic Adelaide City 1991–92 Josip Biskic Melbourne CSC 1992–93 Paul Trimboli South Melbourne 1993–94 Mark Viduka Melbourne Knights 1994–95 Mark Viduka Melbourne Knights 1995–96 Damian Mori Adelaide City 1996–97 Kresimir Marusic Sydney United 1997–98 Paul Trimboli South Melbourne 1998–99 Brad Maloney Marconi-Fairfield 1999–2000 Scott Chipperfield Wollongong Wolves 2000–01 Scott Chipperfield Wollongong Wolves 2001–02 Fernando Rech Brisbane Strikers 2002–03 Damian Mori Perth Glory 2003–04 Ante Milicic Parramatta Power
A-League YearPlayerClubRef. 2005–06 Bobby Despotovski Perth Glory 2006–07 Nick Carle Newcastle Jets 2007–08 Joel Griffiths Newcastle Jets 2008–09 Shane Smeltz Wellington Phoenix 2009–10 Carlos Hernández Melbourne Victory 2010–11 Marcos Flores Adelaide United 2011–12 Thomas Broich Brisbane Roar 2012–13 Marco Rojas Melbourne Victory 2013–14 Thomas Broich Brisbane Roar 2014–15 Nathan Burns Wellington Phoenix 2015–16 Diego Castro Perth Glory 2016–17 Miloš Ninković Sydney FC 2017–18 Adrian Mierzejewski Sydney FC 2018–19 Roy Krishna Wellington Phoenix 2019–20 Alessandro DiamantiWestern United 2020–21 Ulises DávilaWellington Phoenix Miloš NinkovićSydney FC2021–22 Jake BrimmerMelbourne Victory 2022–23 Craig GoodwinAdelaide United 2023–24 Josh NisbetCentral Coast Mariners 2024–25 Nicolas MilanovicWestern Sydney Wanderers 2025–26 Juan MataMelbourne Victory
Multiple winners The following players have won the Johnny Warren Medal multiple times.
Medals Player Team Seasons2 Thomas Broich Brisbane Roar 2011–12, 2013–14 Scott Chipperfield Wollongong Wolves 1999–00, 2000–01 Damian Mori Perth Glory, Adelaide City 1995–96, 2002–03 Miloš NinkovićSydney FC2016–17, 2020–21 Paul Trimboli South Melbourne 1992–93, 1997–98 Mark Viduka Melbourne Knights 1993–94, 1994–95
See also John Kosmina Medal Joe Marston Medal Mark Viduka Medal Michael Cockerill Medal
References
External links Oz Football – NSL Individual Award Winners