November 14 2013

Mile Jedinak (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace captain MILE JEDINAK has spoken of his joy at being named player of the year at the Australian Football Awards.

JEDINAK led Palace to promotion to the Premier League and has been one of the team's star performers as they struggle to adapt in the top flight.

"Obviously it's a huge honour and a privilege to receive such an accolade and to be recognised amongst all your peers and Australian football for the year that I had is really very special to me," JEDINAK said.

"It was probably the biggest year in my career to date. It was a long season, it was a tough season that had its ups and downs but in the end it was one that I will look back on and see as a very positive year and one that I would like to follow and build on."

The 29-year-old now hopes to make sure of his place in Ange Postecoglou's Australia squad for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"I'd be kidding myself if I said I didn't want to go to the World Cup," he said. "Everyone in camp and players who aren't in camp at the moment are still pushing for that and I don't think anyone should be sitting back and resting on anything.

"You should be going all guns blazing to try and get there. It is a long way away but you need to be putting in the performances and putting your best foot forward absolutely."