Despite the A-League season finding itself on the backburner due to the Asian Cup break, the Corner Flag is celebrating the ten and five year anniversaries of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart/City respectively with a range of top ten/fives for each club.
This piece examines the major players at Melbourne Heart and City throughout its five year existence, counting down the best individuals to grace AAMI Park in the red and white, or sky blue.
***
Number Five: Michael Marrone
Season(s): 2010-13
Appearances: 70 (0 goals)
The right-back was one of the most consistent and underrated players in the league during his spell with the red and whites, characterised by his hard work ethic and stable presence in defence. His great form with Heart earned him a Socceroos cap and attracted the interest of several English clubs and Cagliari in Serie A.
However, Marrone opted for a lucrative contract with Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenxin in January 2013, before returning to the A-League 12 months later where he is now with hometown club Adelaide United.
Number Four: David Williams
Season(s): 2011-present
Appearances: 76 (20)
Signed in 2011 after being one of North Queensland Fury’s shining lights, Williams initially struggled with his move to Melbourne in an underwhelming first campaign where he scored just once in 15 appearances. However, his form improved drastically the following year as he won back a starting spot with the club and became one of John Aloisi’s most exciting players in attack.
He continued his form into the next season – even if the team as a whole did not – as he scored 12 times in 26 games, which included the honour of becoming the first Heart/City players to score a hat trick in a 5-0 thumping away to Wellington. The forward is the club’s current top scorer and will look to add to his tally when the season resumes this weekend from the short-term break, despite rumours he may be on the way out.
Number Three: Clint Bolton
Season(s): 2010-13
Appearances: 70 (0)
Recruited from then-champions Sydney FC, the experienced shot-stopper was one of Heart’s best and most consistent players in their opening two years at the club. His great form in the club’s inaugural season saw him win the club’s Player of the Year’ award after he managed 7 clean sheets in 30 starts. His consistency in front of goals continued into the second season, where he once again managed to win the Player of the Year award, and most memorably saved a Carlos Hernandez penalty in a derby match.
Some poor performances and clangers in the third season cost Bolton his starting spot, as he announced his retirement at the end of the campaign, before becoming Strategic Projects Manager with the club along with the occasional media appearance on SBS.
Number Two: Aziz Behich
Season(s): 2010-13, 13-14
Appearances: 89 (2 goals)
Was initially signed from Hume City as a short-term injury replacement for Kristian Sarkies and was converted by the club from a tricky winger into a solid left-back, displacing Dean Heffernan from the position. Continued his great form into the second season before earning a Socceroos call up for a friendly against South Korea in November 2012.
An impressive showing at the East Asian Cup Qualifying Tournament in Hong Kong a month later helped seal a move to Bursaspor the following month. A lack of game time saw him loaned back to Heart for the 2013/14 season before returning to Turkey with the fiery left back a cult figure amongst the red and white faithful.
Number One: Orlando Engelaar
Season(s): 2013-14
Appearances: 12 (5)
Despite the limited amount of time Engelaar spent at Heart, his presence and impact will live long in City folklore as he rejuvenated a horror season, helped make the team competitive, and scored a handful of unforgettable goals. After signing aboard as a marquee, tragedy struck as the former PSV and Netherlands international broke his leg in a tackle during a pre-season friendly.
His return to action five months later coincided with a drastic improvement in the club’s form. Engelaar became the focal point of returning manager John van ‘t Schip’s game plan, helping Heart to a seven game undefeated streak, scoring three goals in the process including a memorable finish in a 4-0 derby drubbing of local rival Victory.
However, to much surprise he was not offered a contract extension by City’s new owners.