Avondale FC midfielder Kristian Trajceski is the New Balance NPLM Victoria Player of the Month for June, receiving the most votes from the commentary team after an impressive run of form across Rounds 16–18.
He was best-on-ground in Avondale’s Round 16 victory over Green Gully, instrumental in the Avengers’ thumping win over Dandenong Thunder in Round 17 where he found the back of the net, before again standing out in their Round 18 defeat to Dandenong City.
The 2025 NPLM Team of the Season member said the recognition is a "good feeling", but insists he doesn't play for the individual accolades.
"If the team is doing well and playing well, (individual honours) it's just a bonus in my eyes."
In their last outing, Avondale went down 3-1 to Dandenong City, although they remain well entrenched in the top three.
"We obviously had a slip-up last weekend, but that's football. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't," he said.
"We've just got to keep working, keep pushing and keep moving towards the end of the season.
"There are a few of us that are playing well. Consistency is the key to any team that's winning any sort of trophies. As long as we're consistent, playing well and winning, that's all that matters."
Avondale bowed out of the New Balance Dockerty Cup in the Quarter Finals, shifting their full focus back to the league, with Trajceski still setting his sights on securing a home final.
"We haven't really had a cup run this year, so that's been disappointing. We've only got the league to focus on now, so we'll have to give that a real crack,” he said.
"Hopefully over the last seven or eight games things turn our way and we're sitting close to the top two."
In Round 19, Avondale take on Preston Lions, who are still fighting to secure a top six finish, in a big match with finals implications for both sides.
"It's obviously a big game. It's always a big game against Preston,” Tracjeski said.
"They've got a very good backing behind them and a good community behind them."
"It's different playing against people you've known for many years, coaches and players."
"They're the games you want to play in."
"When nothing else matters, once you cross that white line, we're playing to win."