An exciting NPL2 West season was a very close for the majority of the season between five-six clubs, with Whittlesea Ranges being the surprise leaders of the pack before St Albans and North Geelong found their stride towards the campaign. These are the media-select standouts for 2016, with a generally even spread amongst all the sides.
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GK: Alex Baird (St Albans Saints) – 28 games, 7 clean sheets
Arrived at the club with a decent amount of pedigree having once been on the books of Newcastle United, and certainly provided a reliable presence between the sticks throughout the campaign. Complemented his backline well and produced important saves when called upon.
RB: Nathan Long (North Geelong Warriors) – 29 games, 0 goals
One attribute of the North Geelong’s defence, especially towards the back-end of the season, was that it became difficult to pick a standout because everyone was functioning cohesively as a unit – no doubt contributing to their solidity at the back. Long was a key member of that back-four at right back.
CB: Matt Townley (North Geelong Warriors) – 30 games, 8 goals
The leader led by example for North Geelong all throughout the season, even when results weren’t going the team’s way. His experience showed in the big games where he was almost flawless on the pitch at the back, and also popped up at the other end to put away some important goals.
CB: Ryan McGuffie (St Albans Saints) – 28 games, 10 goals
The Scot had it all in his repertoire this season. Not just the backbone of his side’s campaign, he also ended up as the Golden Boot at St Albans, which is an admirable achievement. No surprise really for a player of his pedigree and achievements in Scotland.
LB: Daniel Petrov (Moreland Zebras) – 20 games, 0 goals
It was a season that promised much at Moreland Zebras but didn’t reach the heights of last year when they made the promotion playoffs. Regardless, Petrov on a personal note had a standout year at the club, winning the best and fairest which was a fair reflection of his efforts in 2016.
CM: Josh Knight (St Albans Saints) – 27 games, 3 goals
Will get his shot again at the top flight after helping guide St Albans to promotion in 2016, following similar feats with Richmond in 2015 in the NPL2. Provided a crucial link between defence and attack for the Saints with excellent play in the midfield all season.
CM: Michael Trigger (Ballarat Red Devils) – 27 games, 14 goals
Exceptional figures for the Red Devils since returning from Hume City in pre-season. 14 goals as a non-striker highlights his year. Could have been more if not for deputising as keeper in a season where he was by far his club’s standout across the pitch, capable of producing the incredible.
RW: Yusuf Ahmed (Melbourne City) – 27 games, 9 goals
Came to Melbourne City with a decent reputation following his breakout at Dandenong Thunder and did his stocks no harm with a solid season on the wing. Delivered a goal tally of close to double figures and further attacking contributions on top of that.
CAM: Atilla Ofli (Whittlesea Ranges) – 28 games, 32 goals
Undoubtedly the standout of the West, Ofli’s 30+ goal haul from attacking midfield very nearly earned Whittlesea promotion. Producing some spectacular efforts to add to his tally this season, his form earned the 22-year-old a move to the top flight with Hume City.
LW: Joseph Monek (St Albans Saints) – 29 games, 9 goals
The former Melbourne City youth had a fantastic campaign on the wing for St Albans. Nine goals along with numerous more assists made the youngster one of the most dangerous and also consistent performers on the park for the Saints, causing defenders plenty of headaches.
ST: Apai Ukuno (Moreland City) – 25 games, 18 goals
The second highest scorer in the league on 18 goals, Ukuno was a fantastic acquisition for Moreland City in an otherwise tough and inconsistent campaign for the club – where even often his own goals came in bursts. However, his form saw South Sudan’s national team come calling and he was also the most prolific out-and-out striker in the West.
Substitutes:
Daniel Zilic (North Geelong Warriors) – 28 games, 14 clean sheets
Admittedly did not have the busiest season but still a beacon of consistency between the sticks. Did stand up when counted and it’s perhaps no surprise that the combination of Zilic and his back four conceded the fewest goals of all teams this season.
Pat Karras (Ballarat Red Devils) – 28 games, 10 goals
Follows closely behind Trigger as one of Ballarat’s best and ended the season as the second highest scorer, netting nine for the year. Whether deployed at right back or on the wing, Karras would bomb up and down his wing with aplomb.
Jordon Hall (Melbourne City) – 27 games, 2 goals
Flew under the radar often but ultimately enjoyed a solid season at the back for City. Hall was a mainstay in a team that saw lots of rotation by the end of the campaign, and ended up finishing third, one spot shy of a promotion playoff spot.
Naum Sekulovski (Whittlesea Ranges) – 24 games, 4 goals
Recency bias would have seen Sekulovski, like the majority of the Whittlesea team, struggle for end of season honours. But overall it was still a big season of improvement for a club that struggled to jump off the bottom half of the table in the first two years of the NPL. Finishing fourth in part was due to the experience and solidity Sekulovski brought to the back of the park.
Nemanja Govedarica (Werribee City) – 27 games, 0 goals
A player that often flew under the radar (which tends to happen with left backs), Govedarica’s role in defence was one characterised by tireless running up and down the left wing to aide his side’s cause, one of his side’s most consistent in featuring in every game.
Chris Grossman (Sunshine George Cross) – 26 games, 3 goals
The former A-League man was one of the elder heads of a youthful Sunshine line-up and was the experienced presence on the park for his side, guiding the youngsters through a tough period before their fortunes turned. A swansong season for Grossman who announced his retirement after its conclusion.
Austin Wong (Melbourne City) – 24 games, 7 goals
Wong enjoyed a breakout campaign at City in which his goalsense certainly came to the fore with some damaging displays in the front third. With one goal in the first 10 rounds, he scored seven throughout the remainder of the campaign to emerge as one of the standouts of his side.
George McHeileh (Bendigo City) – 22 games, 3 goals
A youthful, mainly inexperienced side at NPL level had a capable captain to look up to. McHeileh was often the one trying to turn matches around and helping his side reach its objectives. A peak month in June saw the Bendigo skipper voted Player of the Month.
Matthew Thorne (North Geelong Warriors) – 27 games, 10 goals
A fantastic addition in 2016, Thorne was regularly acknowledged as a key attacking outlet for North Geelong. Ended up with the second highest goal tally for the club on 11, but also played his teammates into great positions, providing a key link in the front third.
Baggio Yousif (Moreland Zebras) – 25 games, 13 goals
Burst out of the blocks early and was a potent attacking threat up front for the Zebras. Had a good partnership with James Papadimitriou before the latter’s move to Northcote. Ended up with 13 goals which is still a worthy contribution.
Kene Eze (North Geelong Warriors) – 22 games, 12 goals
North Geelong took a gamble on the striker, signing him before deadline day ended before waiting for his arrival. The gamble paid off as he filled a key gap up front following Gareth Richards’ departure. Was firing when fit and it’s no wonder the club peaked when he recovered from his injuries, netting 12 in total.
Honourable mentions: Aaron Romein (Ballarat Red Devils), Darran Lewis (North Geelong Warriors), Chris Dib (Sunshine George Cross), Nana Yaw-Otuo (St Albans Saints), Corey Thomas (Moreland City), Domenico Marafioti (Werribee City), David Younan (Bendigo City), Jonathan Voulgaris (Werribee City)