- Dolan Warren Football Awards Won’t Happen in 2024
- TOAustralian Professional Leagues (APL) struggle financially
- Commentator Simon Hill saddened by development
Football commentator Simon Hill has slammed the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) after the governing body of the men’s and women’s A-League canceled their annual awards night because they are bankrupt.
Speaking on ABC’s Offsiders, Hill was stunned that the Dolan Warren gala evening, named after Matildas pioneer Julie Dolan and Socceroos great Johnny Warren, will not take place this year due to financial constraints.
‘It’s the football version of Dally M’s [NRL] or the [AFL] Brownlow Medal,” he said.
“Clearly this is not happening due to lack of money… to see the APL in financial difficulties is a real shame.”
Hill – who is famous rated the Socceroos’ penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in Sydney, which sealed Australia’s place in the 2006 World Cup, was not yet finished.
Football commentator Simon Hill has slammed the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) after the governing body of the men’s and women’s A-League canceled their annual awards night.
Hill was stunned that the Dolan Warren gala evening, named after former Matildas star Julie Dolan and Socceroos great Johnny Warren (pictured), will not take place this year due to limitations financial.
He declared that he believes that national football “smells like a game that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
‘They [APL] “We have to stop the spin…they’re not kidding us as partisans,” Hill added.
‘Why not [just] Do we say publicly that we can’t afford it?
“It’s an event that’s really important on the national football calendar… and it won’t happen due to lack of money… call it what it is.”
Meanwhile, the Socceroos legend’s nephew Johnny Warren was “beyond disappointed” with the decision to cancel the Dolan-Warren awards night.
His family has yet to hear from the APL about why the event was cancelled.
‘That’s one of the most disappointing things: the lack of communication. “Uncle John has done a lot for sport in the country, to make this decision and not explain why is like a slap in the face,” Jamie Warren told the Mercury Illawarra.
Sydney FC cult hero Andrew Redmayne has already won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
‘The awards were supposed to be a highlight event. “It gives our professional players the recognition they deserve… so it’s really disappointing to see it fail due to funding.”
“It is a night for the elite players of our sport to be recognized. “Other sports do it the right way, so it’s sad to see.”
Previous winners include Matildas captain Sam Kerr (2016-17), teammate Emily van Egmond (2014) and Socceroos captain Mark Viduka (1993-94) and (1994-95) in the NSL with Melbourne Knights.
Daily Mail Australia approached the APL for comment, who noted a slight change for fans on the day of this season’s Grand Final at the end of May.
“This year’s key Dolan Warren Awards will be presented on the days of our Grand Final to give you a platform to celebrate with fans and during the biggest games of the year,” an APL spokesperson said.