Captain sweeps MCU honours
FOOTBALL: Magpies Crusaders United's talisman and captain has cleaned up the club's awards after a dominant National Premier League Queensland Season.
Potent striker Michael Lyall took out four awards at the fledging club's inaugural presentation night on Friday night, highlighted by being named MCU's Player of the Year.
Sweeping the awards, the popular figure was also awarded Players' Player, Members' Choice Player of the Year and the Golden Boot award.
One of the NPL's best strikers, Lyall bagged 19 goals in his 23 games, which placed him third overall in the NPL, only five goals behind Western Pride's Dylan Wenzel-Halls, who has since been signed with A-League club Brisbane Roar.
MCU Football operations manager Dan Burnell said Lyall was recognised as an outstanding individual who had displayed consistency in his performances throughout the season.
"Lyall has given our club his maximum effort and commitment this season, and MCU are very grateful for his services,” he said.
"He has provided many moments of individual brilliance, and his strong set of personal and professional values have helped shaped our NPL club in the inaugural season.
"Lyall thoroughly deserves his accolades.”
Defying his age, South Australian Jeremy Green was awarded Young Player of the Year after a breakout season.
Debuting at just 17, the reliable and capable player was the central figure in MCU's defence, holding the unit together during an injury crisis.
In the under-20s, Mackay junior Ben Coombes claimed both awards.
The award winners were:
NPL Members' Player of the Year: Michael Lyall
NPL Golden Boot: Michael Lyall
NPL Players' Player: Michael Lyall
NPL Player of the Year: Michael Lyall
NPL Young Player of the Year: Jeremy Green
Under-20s Players' Player: Ben Coombes
Under-20s Player of the Year: Ben Coombes
Under-18s Players' Player: Riley Stansbie
Under-18s Player of the Year: Jayden Bovero