Perth Glory defender Bran Kaltak has been rewarded for a stand-out first season in purple, with the towering centre-back named’s men’s Most Glorious Player at the club’s end-of-season award’s night on Tuesday.

It comes as homegrown young gun Tijan McKenna cemented her rise as one of Australia’s best prospects as she took out the women’s Most Glorious Player gong despite playing out of position for most of the season.

In an award traditionally dominated by defenders, Kaltak became the 13th such player to win the men’s MGP in its 29-year history and the first since Mark Beevers in 2023.

The 32 year-old overcame a slow start to the season where he looked unsure of himself early to rediscover the form which helped him play a vital role in Central Coast Mariners’ memorable treble in 2024.

As part of a much-improved Glory defence which shipped 17 fewer goals this season, Kaltak established a strong centre-back partnership with fellow recruit Scott Wootton.

Per FotMob, Kaltak ranked second in the league for clearances (173) and equal seventh for both blocks (22) and interceptions (33).

McKenna meanwhile, built on taking out the players’ player and members’ player of the year awards last season as the 21 year-old took out the women’s top individual honour.

Having previously played full-back and central midfield, McKenna was shifted to centre-back following Naomi Chinamma’s season-ending injury and excelled.

After an inconsistent start in the heart of defence, McKenna’s on-ball composure and frequent last-ditch interventions resulted in her winning A-League Women player of the month for December and she continued her strong form throughout the season.

Kaltak, who also won the men’s members’ and players’ player of the year awards, broke Adam Taggart’s streak of two consecutive MGP wins, but the Perth co-captain did not go home empty-handed as he shared the golden boot award with Tom Lawrence and Nicholas Pennington.

Goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey’s excellent first season in Perth ended in her winning the women’s members’ and players’ player of the year awards.

Tenacious midfielder Gio De Abreu and ever-present full-back Grace Johnston were named men’s DT38 young player of the season and women’s best young player respectively.

Jaiden Kucharski took home the men’s goal of the year trophy for his sizzling, injury-time winner against Auckland FC, while Rola Badawiya won the women’s golden boot and goal of the year for her round two strike against Brisbane Roar.

The club also paid special tribute to retiring legend Josh Risdon to mark his retirement from the professional game after an illustrious 16-year career in which he became Glory’s all-time A-League record appearances holder.