Players in any sport always say that the awards handed to them by their peers are the ones they value most.
It's always their fellow competitors who know better than anyone who is truly talented, whose ability might not always be recognised by the fans and who is the most difficult opponent, whatever the statistics and metric measurements might suggest.
And Australia's soccer players are no different.
So it can be little surprise that, nearly 20 years after he burst on the Australian soccer scene as a prodigiously talented teenager, Harry Kewell has been acknowledged by his peers as one of the greatest talents the country has produced by being awarded the Alex Tobin Medal, the highest honour handed out by the players' union, the PFA.
Kewell's honour acknowledges the contribution he has made over a lifetime in the game.
Lifetime of memories: Harry Kewell, left, with Tim Cahill Photo: Phil Carrick
The other awards, presented at a function at Crown on Tuesday night, lionised the men and women who have been the standout performers in the past 12 months, and also the young player (under-23) who has made the biggest impression in that period.
Lydia Williams, the Matildas' and Melbourne City goalkeeper in the club's all-conquering W-League team, Jamie Maclaren, the young Brisbane Roar striker who made his Socceroo breakthrough this season, and Aaron Mooy, whose outstanding form in the last A-League season alongside his strong performances for the national team earned him a move to Manchester City, are all recognised as being the cream of their respective crops. Mooy, who subsequently went on loan to English Championship club Huddersfield Town, was named as the PFA footballer of the year.
Williams is the newly crowned PFA women's footballer of the year, while Maclaren is the PFA Harry Kewell medallist, the award for the best young player and a recognition of Kewell's huge impact on the Australian game.
Women's footballer of the year: Lydia Williams. Photo: Getty Images
Voted on by all of the PFA's male members, Mooy joins an honour roll that includes Socceroo legend Tim Cahill, national team captain Mile Jedinak and caps-record-holding goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as a PFA footballer of the year.
"To join the likes of Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill is an honour and one I am proud of. To be chosen by the players makes this award very special," Mooy said.
"I'm very thankful for the support of my family through the good times and bad, my teammates and all the players who voted for me. It was a great year for me and I'm very proud to have been named the player of the year."
Williams is entering rare territory as she is only the second player to have been twice named footballer of the year on two occasions. She, too, was humbled by the recognition of her peers.
"Over the past few years we have had a really hectic schedule and a lot of ups and downs and to have the backing of the girls means so much," she said.
"Besides the players, people don't see what goes into being a footballer day in day out and to receive that recognition is incredible.The first time I won the award was when I was breaking into the team. This time around there has been a lot of history-making events and I have experienced so many highs with the girls and this is the most rewarding recognition I can imagine."
Thrilled: Jamie Maclaren. Photo: Getty Images
Maclaren was thrilled to join a group of outstanding young players who include Socceroo regulars Robbie Kruse and Mat Ryan
"My family have been so supportive and so have my teammates who played such a big role in the success I had last season," he said. "The respect of your peers means a lot and I'm very thankful to all the players who voted for me."
