Perth Glory defender Brian Kaltak has credited coach Adam Griffith for helping him overcome a sluggish start to life at his new team after he claimed the club's highest individual honour.
The 32-year-old centre-back added another achievement to one of the A-League Men's most remarkable stories when he was named the men's Most Glorious Player at the club's awards night on Tuesday.
Kaltak became the 13th defender to win the men's MGP in the award's 29-year history in his first season after signing from Central Coast Mariners and also picked up the men's members' and players' player of the year awards.
Despite only earning his first professional contract at 29 years old, the Vanuatu export won four trophies in three years at the Mariners and cemented himself as one of the league's best defenders prior to his move west.
But Kaltak's start to life in Perth was far from rosy. He struggled early in the season, most notably in Glory's round two 4-0 loss to Melbourne City where he was directly culpable for one goal and struggled throughout.
That match proved to be David Zdrilic's last match in charge and once Griffiths took over, Kaltak said he felt his personal performance dramatically improve.
"I thought I had a really good season, despite the slow start, but then I picked myself up, and I've been killing it ever since," Kaltak told The West Australian.
"A turning point was when Griff stepped in and he expected more from us; big players they step up, lead the way, show the example of what we want to be like as a team.
"That changed the way I think, and it changed me as a senior player, there to lead by an example, and I think I did.
"He demanded more from us as senior players and he spoke clearly when it came to all the senior players.
"It's been a big change, a shift from not just myself and my performance, but the other boys as well."
By the end of the season, Kaltak ranked second in the league for clearances (173) and equal seventh for both blocks (22) and interceptions (33) and had helped Perth's previously rickety defence concede 17 fewer goals this season.
Kaltak said he felt Perth were well-poised to push themselves further up the ladder next season, with the entirety of this year's back four and goalkeeper Matt Sutton contracted for next year and while Griffiths is out of contract, the centre-back hailed the job he had done.
"It means a lot to have a good, supportive coaching staff and the players as well, where they push you forward, and they always look after you," he said.
"When you have a good environment, it helps everyone to achieve their goals, or whatever we want to achieve."
