Although the ASA has not yet officially announced the winner of the 2012 Player of the Year award, it is reliably understood that Neptunes stalwart Steve Camilleri was voted as last season’s top player.

Camilleri, also winner of the 2011 award, helped his team win the 2012 double for the second year running, heading the scorers’ list with 78 goals and also being voted Player of the Month in July and August, the two occasions this award is bestowed during summer.

His feats in these last years also earned him second place in the 2011 Sportsman of the Year national contest.

The player, a Neptunes WPSC product, is currently engaged for the fifth successive season with the Italian top division team RN Bogliasco.

He has been their top goalscorer for three out of the last four years as well as having always ended as one of the scorers in the highest overall rankings in the Italian league.

Incidentally, he scored five more in Bogliasco’s 12-11 victory over Camogli last Wednesday to go on the 14-goal mark from five matches.

Camilleri first won the waterpolo Player of the Year honour in 2007 to become the sixth player to win this title at least three times.

The runner-up this year was the reliable Sirens goalkeeper Alan Grech whose contribution to his team in recent seasons was notable.

Grech’s performances last summer make him a serious contender to be retained in the national squad.

The first division award went to John Licari, of Marsascala, who was instrumental in his team’s 2012 ‘double’, while Timmy Agius, on loan with Valletta but now back with Neptunes, was second.

Both players were prolific scorers for their teams.