The Corner Flag is back with the Team of the Season, rewarding the most consistent performers over the course of the PS4 NPL Victoria campaign. In a new format, we’ll publish an article with two teams: our media select, along with a fan voted XI, where you select your standouts in 2015. Every few days we’ll post the shortlist for a particular position.
This time round, we have the bustling hard-nuts that often put their team and the result ahead of their own physical wellbeing. Of course, we’re talking about the centre-half, the lads who take to the field shouldered with the job of helping keep the ball out of the net. They are for the most part an eclectic mix of brute strength, defensive nous, leadership ability and organisational skills. Some are elegant ball players, others look to relieve the pressure by adopting a safety first approach, but as long as the ball stays out of the net, they’re doing their job.
Pick the two centre-halves that you believe have stood out most this season via the link at the bottom of the page. You can vote once per day and make sure you share this around to ensure your pick makes the cut!
Vote Now > NPL Team of the Season: Goalkeepers
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In alphabetical order:
Luke Byles (Heidelberg United)
26 appearances, 0 goals
4 TOTW nominations: 2, (10), 12, 16
A large part of Heidelberg’s success in 2015 was the consistency of their defence, with Englishman Luke Byles marshalling an experienced back three (Byles, Steven Pace, Jamie Cumming) who between them missed only two league games for the season. In particular, their early season form saw them expertly protect Griffin McMaster with some assured showings. Nine clean sheets for the season – all in the first 15 rounds – was reflective of their strong start as they finished the season with the equal fourth best defensive record. While it was a tough ask condensing three into one – Steven Pace in particular – the nomination for the Bergers goes to their skipper and the centrepiece of their defensive structure.
Michael Eagar (South Melbourne)
26 appearances, 2 goals
3 TOTW nominations: 2, 3, 9
South Melbourne’s ever dependable skipper started the season in the engine room, seemingly not missing a beat since running the midfield in Northcote’s 2013 Championship winning season. Alas, injuries took hold very early in their season – Kristian Konstantinidis was felled by an ACL injury, which paved the way for Eagar’s return to defence. There, he formed an impenetrable Kiwi wall with young Luke Adams – who also excelled in his first season at the club – combining at the back for a league low 22 goals conceded. An expert user of the ball and one of the smartest defenders in the league, Eagar has once again proven his worth as a bona-fide star of the NPL Victoria.
Daniel Jones (Green Gully)
24 appearances, 1 goal
3 TOTW nominations: 2, 6, 19
The veteran centre-half was voted in as the official Green Gully ‘Player of the Year’ after a consistent season in which he played in all but two of their games in 2015. He formed a well-established combination with Roddy Vargas, as Gully experienced their heaviest defeats when the duo were separated (6-1 loss to North Geelong, 8-2 loss to Heidelberg). Scored a memorable free-kick at Kingston Heath to earn his side a 1-1 draw against Bentleigh early in the season.
Shaun Kelly (Port Melbourne)
22 appearances, 1 goal
3 TOTW nominations: 1, (2), 6
The former South Melbourne man saw his 2014 season de-railed through injury and as such was forced to make a move to continue his footballing journey. With plenty to prove, Port Melbourne showed faith in his ability, so much so that they gave the Englishman the captain’s armband on his arrival. He failed to disappoint as he amassed 22 appearances this season on his return to football and brought experience and leadership to the Sharks’ line-up.
Shane Rexhepi (Hume City)
28 appearances, 1 goal
4 TOTW nominations: 2, 18, 21, 25
One of three Hume City players to start every league game in 2015 – finals included – the ever-present Shane Rexhepi was a main contributor to his side’s run to the NPL Victoria Semi-Finals. He was a part of a defence that kept 11 clean sheets in 26 regular season games, and the fourth most miserly overall. Shut down some of the league’s most dangerous forwards in the process.
Steven Topalovic (Bentleigh Greens)
26 appearances, 0 goals
3 TOTW nominations: 1, 7, (14)
The imposing figure of Steven Topalovic has been a welcomed inclusion for Bentleigh Greens as he and Jack Webster formed a formidable and very enviable centre-half pairing. The athletic Topalovic played 26 games in the lead-up to their Grand Final victory and provided both pace, aerial ability and an innate sense of when to push forward to help start attacks.
Tomislav Uskok (Melbourne Knights)
23 appearances, 4 goals
4 TOTW nominations: 2, 5, (18), (21)
Adept at centre back or in defensive midfield, the inspirational skipper led his side with distinction, putting in tireless 90 minute efforts week-in, week-out. Had a knack of scoring vital goals early in the season, and maintained his form throughout the campaign to help his boyhood club finish in a very respectable fourth position.
Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens)
27 appearances, 2 goals
5 TOTW nominations: 8, 10, 11, 13, 20
As mentioned, Jack Webster and Topalovic formed a grand defensive partnership for Bentleigh, conceding the second least amount of league goals (24) to go with 10 clean sheets. No doubt the Englishman has been one of the Greens’ key performers in 2015, as he’s showcased his vast array of defensive abilities, the timing of interceptions, the communication and organisation and ability to forecast the play.
Jordan Wilkes (Northcote City)
25 appearances (1 sub), 1 goal
2 TOTW nominations: (5), (14)
Northcote shot away from any potential relegation concerns with a strong run of form in the middle of the 2015 NPL Victoria season. Jordan Wilkes built on his promising 2014 form and provided another decent season at the heart of the City defence with some assured displays when they mattered most. Made 25 appearances in total, with five clean sheets and a goal to his name.
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