Outgoing Wanderers star Keanu Baccus and defender Clare Hunt were crowned 2022 Wanderers Medal winners at the Wanderers Medal at Club Marconi on Tuesday night.
Baccus, who will play in Scotland next season, was awarded the Wanderers Medal for the second time of his burgeoning career, having also taken out the honour in 2019.
The western Sydney local and fan favourite featured in almost every match for the club this season and has continued his role as a leader and ambassador for the Wanderers faithful.
“This club means the world to me. It gave me a platform not only in football but as a man to really showcase myself and my ability,” Baccus said on stage.
Hunt was awarded the Medal in her very first season in the Red & Black after joining the club last September.
An important figure in the Wanderers’ defence, Hunt played a pivotal part in the squad and was named in the PFA’s Team of the Season prior to her season-ending injury.
Veteran Adama Traore went home with two awards, the Rod Allen Media Award for Media Player of the Year and Wanderers Members’ Player of the Year.
For the second year running, A-League Women’s co-captain Caitlin Cooper was voted the Women’s Members’ Player of the Year.
The Chairman’s Award, presented annually by Paul Lederer for contribution to the western Sydney community, was awarded to Nepean Football Association President Frances Refalo for her contribution to local football and the Wanderers matchday coordination roles.
“It’s amazing, it’s a shock. I don’t feel that I go above and beyond, I just feel that I just do the job that I’m there to do,” Refalo said.
Tomer Hemed and Ashlie Crofts took out the honours for the Golden Boot in their respective competition, while the Powerchair Player of the Year was awarded to Jordan Crane.
Meanwhile, the Wanderers announced Scott Hudson as the club’s new CEO, taking over from John Tsatsimas, who is departing Western Sydney after nearly a decade in the role.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
