NEWCASTLE HERALD
By James Gardiner
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond is adamant Joel Griffiths can get even better.
Griffiths capped off a career-best year when he was named the Jets player of the year and members' player of the year at the club's presentation dinner last night.
The star striker is in Japan, where he is on loan to second-division club Avispa Fukuoka, and could not accept the awards in person.
Last night's accolades added to the Johnny Warren Medal he received as the A-League player of the year and the Golden Boot as the competition's top scorer.
"Joel has had a a stellar year. There is no doubt about that," van Egmond said.
"But there is no reason why he cannot continue to improve.
"He is coming into his prime at 28, 29 years through to 30, 31.
"There are a couple of key things for Joel. He needs to be enjoying life in general his footballing life and his social side as well.
"If he does that, he will reap the benefits."
Griffiths was one of three major award winners.
Goalkeeper Ante Covic took out the coveted players' player. Tarek Elrich was the rising star, and popular gear steward Bobby Evans was named clubman of the year.
In his second season with the Jets, Covic returned to the form that earned him a trip to the 2006 World Cup.
He recorded nine clean sheets on the way to a recall for the Socceroos.
"So many times Ante was the difference between us getting a point or three points," van Egmond said.
"He has got himself in the national team again, which is a real feather in his cap.
"He could have looked at it in another light and said, 'I have got to the World Cup, that is enough.'
"He has really trained the house down and got his rewards of winning a first-grade final."
Elrich was on the verge of quitting 12 months ago. He made just five appearances in the 2006-07 season, one in the starting side.
But combining a switch from midfield to right fullback with a change in attitude has worked wonders for him.
Not only did he cement a place in the starting side, he has been called into the Olyroos and Socceroos squads.
"Tarek has reinvented himself," van Egmond said. "Full credit to him. He has found a real niche at right fullback and gone from strength to strength.
"He has recognition with the Aussie teams now.
"He is in the Olyroos and was involved with the Socceroos in Singapore. It has been a rapid rise for him.
"If you had spoken to him in the pre-season, he would have just wanted to bed a place as a player in the A-League."
Like Griffiths, van Egmond said Elrich still had plenty of improvement in him.
Article source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/jets-coach-says-joels-best-is-yet-to-come/1212031.html
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