There not only to supplement the strike force, the modern day winger is now also expected to operate as an inside forward and chip in with their fair share of goals throughout the league campaign. Some of the NPL’s biggest blue chip names have plied their trade operating in a wide forward role, where they had the space in front of them to operate to the full extent of their creative abilities to help set up teammates, or find the back of the net themselves. Here are some of the very best wingers from this NPL season gone.
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Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
Thrown into a leadership role as one of the more experienced heads in the side despite his own age of 22, Andrijasevic showed maturity and discipline in abundance. Contributing positively whether it be on the wing or centrally, his goal tally may not have been plentiful, but his influence and effort to the side was unquestionable – also earning him an A-League trial.
Alex Caniglia (Richmond SC)
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Arriving from Western Australia, Caniglia burst onto the scene and proved himself as not only the standout in a struggling team that was eventually relegated, but also one of the league’s top wingers for the year with nine goals (more than any other Richmond player). Explosive bursts down the flank and an eye for goal characterised his campaign.
Sean Ellis (Heidelberg United)
Much like Dan Heffernan, Ellis built his reputation in Victoria plying his trade in Shepparton. Signed in the off-season from Goulburn Valley Suns, he was a worthy contributor for his side, not just just for his ability to find that back of the net, but those curling deliveries also caused plenty of headaches for defenders.
Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
It’s admittedly difficult to pinpoint an exact position for Hume’s Gold Medallist, but we’ll plonk him on the wing, where many of his highlights came from. Hegarty’s goal tally wasn’t as high as previous season, but he was ever-present in Hume’s attacking third and created numerous opportunities for teammates as he continued to be the club’s talisman, whether that be in a central or wide role.
Matt Millar (South Melbourne)
Released from Melbourne City on NPL deadline day, Millar was snapped up by South Melbourne and proved to be an important attacking spark for the club throughout the campaign. Dangerous down the wing, his combination of goals and assists for Milos Lujic and co. were an important facet of South’s league success, earning him the FFV’s Young Player of the Season award in the process.
Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
The Dutchman, much like the club this season, took a while to hit his straps, but his form certainly helped catapult the side to a more respectable mid-table position. Led Pascoe Vale’s goalscoring charts this season and was their most potent attacking outlet, lighting up the league with a number of notable moments with the ball at feet.
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Honorable mentions: Ryan Paczkowski, Dean Piemonte, Nick Krousoratis, Jamie De Abreu