With the A-League now in its Asian Cup hiatus, on reflection this season has seen some individual brilliance incompetence, ranging from foreigners of varying pedigree failing to settle in Australia, to local players that have overstayed their welcome (or perhaps should never have been welcome).
The likes of Mile Jedinak, Ivan Franjic and Matt Smith have all been plucked from the state leagues at a later age to become success stories (we’ll overlook the Steven Gray debacle at Melbourne Heart). Here are some players plying their trade in NPL Victoria that are potentially worthy of A-League consideration on ability alone, regardless of age, visa status or fitness levels. Excuse the NPL youngsters already at A-League youth sides that are worth a shout.
GK: Alistair Bray > Jamie Young
Signed from England’s umpteenth division, Michael Theo’s backup at Brisbane Roar looks awkward, kicks the ball awkwardly, comes off his line awkwardly, and argues with his teammates awkwardly. That’s what you get from a Conference ‘keeper trying to make it in a possession-based game. So we propose Alistair Bray, a former Melbourne Heart youth now at Bentleigh Greens, could be no worse at all those aforementioned things (including arguing, because that occasional Wolverine/Ibra-like hairstyle makes him intimidating).
- Other NPL candidates: Throw John Honos (Oakleigh), Chris Oldfield (Hume) or Chris May (Knights) in the mix, too.
- Other A-League goalkeepers on notice: The Redmayne/Velaphi (Melbourne City) combination.
CB: Adrian Chiapetta > Adrian Leijer
Fair to say Adrian Leijer has been Adrian Leijer this season, doing things like failing to deal with bouncing balls, allowing Andy Keogh a path on goal, and racking up unnecessary yellow cards. It speaks volumes when Leigh Broxham looks more assured in Melbourne Victory’s backline than the former Fulham player. Former Northcote VPL winning captain Chiapetta could just be the right replacement, a strong leader and a good organiser.
- Other NPL candidates: Either of South Melbourne’s Kiwi defensive duo of Michael Eagar and James Musa
- Other A-League central defenders on notice: The Wielaert/Kisnorbo (Melbourne City) combination, Daniel Mullen (Wanderers)
RB: Tim Mala > Jason Hoffman
If it’s not a former striker in Hoffman turning out at right back for City, it’s the 36-year-old Rob Wielaert, a natural centre back running up and down that flank with the pace of a Nissan Micra holding up traffic in the right lane of the Monash Freeway. Ross Arhibald has also been tried there before. Why not have a go with Tim Mala? He was part of an NPL winning squad and a natural fullback. Unless John van’t Schip only wants fullbacks converted from other positions…
LB: Kris Kioussis > Seyi Adaleke
“Seyit ain’t so. Came from Lazio. Always playing up. Popa wants him gone.” – not Blink 182.
Despite his pedigree, Adaleke seems to have a shared attitude/performance problem with Vitor Saba, with Tony Popovic now rotating Shannon Cole and Antony Golec at left back. Kioussis has shown his quality as an attacking fullback, but maybe he’s too attacking a player for Popa’s taste.
- Other A-League left backs on notice: If Sam Gallagher, Victory’s discard who later played at Richmond and then Hanoi, could get a game at left back at Newcastle Jets, surely Kioussis wouldn’t be too far below the pecking order. Allan Welsh is also struggling in that position at the Jets.
CM/CDM: Wayne Wallace > Mickael Tavares
Who is Tavares? Well, with Graham Arnold saying he needed an injury replacement midfielder with a physical presence at Sydney FC, he signed the 32-year-old journeyman that has never played over 37 games for a single club. Despite 25 caps for Senegal, we’re calling it early – forget it. You want a player with a physical presence? Wallace is your man. Tall, strong and technical.
- Other NPL candidates: Throw in Dominic D’angelo, a favourite of Miron Bleiberg at Oakleigh. Andreas Govas (Heidelberg) once also trialled at Melbourne Victory and is a quality player.
LW/RW: Ryan De Vries > Richard Vernes
A Wiki search reveals 22-year-old Richard Vernes came from the Hungarian league with a respectable 9 goals in 40 odd games. Yet in Australia he’s made 0 appearances in all his A-League appearances (i.e he hasn’t really shown up to play). When he’s not at Bentleigh – and he will hopefully be back this season – Ryan De Vries is off with Auckland City, finishing higher than Western Sydney Wanderers in the Club World Championships. He can provide that attacking spark on the wing the Mariners so desperately need.
- Other NPL candidates: Goran Zoric (Oakleigh)
- Other wide A-League midfielders on notice: The Brown/Dugandzic/Ramsay (Melbourne City) combination, even if the latter moonlights as a left-back.
CAM: Dusan Bosnjak > Vitor Saba
What is it with players from Italian leagues grinding Tony Popovic’s gears? Saba is a technically good player, but like his beard, his role at the Wanderers has been completely shaved. As an indicator of Popovic’s desperation to see off the Brazilian, he’s brought in Nick Kalmar – more accustomed to a holding role – to play the #10 position. Bosnjak is a technical player more suited to the attacking midfield role.
- Other NPL candidates: Marijan Cvitkovic (Melbourne Knights)
- Other A-League attacking midfielders on notice: How does Isaka Cernak still get a gig in the A-League?
ST: Milos Lujic > Mensur Kurtisi
More like Krap-tisi! Boom-tish(i). Mike Mulvey’s signing off DVD evidence resembles football hipsters labelling obscure YouTube footballers as The Next Big Thing. While Besart Berisha’s shoes were big to fill, Kurtisi’s boots are like Baby Crocs, having scored one goal all season. Surely former Young Socceroo Milos Lujic could do a better job, provided the right service. The NPL Golden Boot and Gold medallist in 2014 was a standout player.
- Other NPL candidates: Throw in Heidelberg’s Dan Heffernan in the mix, who would have won Player of the Season if not for suspension, with Bentleigh’s Queensland signings also ones to look out for if they prove themselves in Victoria.