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.
We now take a look at the lads that often fly under the radar, the fullbacks. Usually the fittest guys on the pitch, the wide defenders have to expertly balance their forays forward with their man marking job of keeping their opposition winger quiet.Their importance to a team is most felt when they’re out of the side and the crosses into the box start flying.
Pick the two fullbacks 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!
NPL Team of the Season: Goalkeepers
NPL Team of the Season: Centre-Backs
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Right-Back
In alphabetical order:
Jamie Cumming (Heidelberg United)
26 appearances (2 sub), 0 goals
1 TOTW nominations: (7)
The 27-year-old defender enjoyed an excellent debut season for the Bergers as part of an experienced back three that included Luke Byles and Steven Pace, with the right-sided Cumming reverting to right-back when manager George Katsakis tinkered to a back four. Consistent performances week-in,-week-out from the former Melbourne Knights and Oakleigh defender culminated in Heidelberg earning nine clean sheets throughout the campaign, with the boys from Olympic Village being in the thick of the title race up until the final few rounds. Furthermore, Cumming has also embarked on another memorable FFA Cup run with the Warriors after last season being an integral part of the Bentleigh Greens side which reached the final four of the competition.
Tim Mala (South Melbourne)
26 appearances, 0 goals
3 TOTW nominations: 9, 12, 13
One of the league’s most consistent performers, Mala completed his second full season at the club much like his first by finishing top of the league. The former Dandenong Thunder right-back’s class is consolidated by the fact that he has now topped the league three times in the past four seasons, becoming Mr. Reliable for Chris Taylor. A solid passer and agile in defence, Mala’s expertise is his ability to bomb forward and provide pinpoint crosses to his teammates up front, most notably Milos Lujic, who has been the beneficiary of many excellent balls into the box from the 23-year-old defender.
Adrian Talarico (Pascoe Vale)
28 appearances (2 sub), 1 goal
1 TOTW nominations: 21
At Pascoe Vale from the beginning of Vitale Ferrante’s tenure at the club when they were battling away in the third tier of Victorian football, the club stalwart is noted for his tidiness at back, giving little away and being competent when dealing with some of the league’s best wide players. One goal and a handful of assists were pivotal as Paco finished the season in sixth spot and were on the brink of a Grand Final appearance having taken the lead against South Melbourne in extra-time. His prompt performances on the right-flank saw him play every game this season, helping Pascoe Vale notch up eight clean sheets throughout a successful campaign for the club.
Pick ONE right-back
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Left-Back
In alphabetical order:
Jake Halliday (Pascoe Vale)
28 appearances, 0 goals
4 TOTW nominations: (7), 10, 11, 18
The 20-year-old Adelaide native capped off a stunning first season in Victoria football by winning the NPL Rising Star Award at the FFV Gold Medal Night. The achievement was due reward for a memorable year for player and club alike, with the former Adelaide United Youth Team player appearing in every single game of the season. He caused much trouble from the left-flank, combining well with Luca Santilli and sending in plenty of accurate crosses into the box for the likes of Jake Nakic, Joseph Youssef and Davey van’t Schip. With plenty of pace to burn and an energetic drive to his game, Halliday was one of the shining lights for Vitale Ferrante’s high achievers of 2015.
Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
27 appearances, 2 goals
4 TOTW nominations: 8, (24), 25, 26
The club vice-captain consolidated his place as one of the league’s most efficient fullbacks with a tremendous season in the left fullback role at Lakeside Stadium. The 24-year-old was noted for his solidity at the back, as well as his surging runs forward that led to plenty of goals, with the ex-Northcote City man notching up two crucial goals himself. Norton also proved to be an able deputy at centre-back when asked to fill in following a mid-season injury crisis, and recently notched up a century of league appearances for the club.
Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens)
26 appearances, 1 goal
3 TOTW nominations: 3, (8), 14
His best season to date at Kingston Heath saw the former Melbourne Victory man a vital part of a steady group of shoulders at the back for Bentleigh that conceded just 25 goals all season. The Canberra native was unfortunate to miss out on the Greens’ Grand Final success through injury, but throughout the campaign worked hard to prevent opponents from causing harm, while contributing to the attack via great link-up play with the squad. Pilkington also got his name on the scoresheet with a memorable late winner over Oakleigh in Round 26, a rare goal for the 25-year-old.
Pick ONE left-back
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