Fan Voted 2015 NPL Team of the Season
We saw nearly 4,000 individual votes come through our system – with people this year only allowed to vote once each – in a tightly fought race for spots. The closest run positions were the goalkeepers, centre-backs and right-backs, where only a handful of votes separated those who made the cut and those who didn’t. Two players – Tyson Holmes and Nick Epifano – also made the starting XI last season, while Tim Mala and Shane Rexhepi were both amongst the substitutes in the 2014 edition.
The Vault > 2014 NPL Victoria Fan Voted Team of the Season
Read More > 2015 NPL Victoria Media Select Team of the Season
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GK: Chris Oldfield (Hume City) – 28.97% of the vote
“My season this year has been very successful, we have had a good run in Dockerty Cup, the finals series and also the FFA Cup. I believe I’ve had a very consistent season but it always helps when the lads have been solid throughout the whole season.” – Chris Oldfield, Hume City
RB: Tim Mala (South Melbourne) – 40.07% of the vote
“In 2015 the competition for top spot was always going to go down to the wire and we knew that if we wanted to go back-to-back we would have to fight in every minute of every game. Credit to the boys and the club because our efforts paid off.
Unfortunately in other comps like the FFA Cup and the NPL Finals Series we fell short, but to be involved in all tournaments and fight hard all year, I’m proud of the efforts of our team. Timmy was one player who you know you could rely on in every game; hard tackling and constant communication have become the forefront of his game and I look forward to working with him for many seasons to come.” – Brad Norton, South Melbourne
CB: Shane Rexhepi (Hume City) – 18.15% of the vote
“We have done everything right this season besides win a trophy, falling just short in the NPL and Dockerty Cup. It’s been a massive effort from everyone at the club from coaches committee and players, even the supporters.
Being the only team outside of the A-League in the FFA Cup is amazing and proves how hard we work as a playing group and as a club. I wouldn’t trade any of my team-mates for anyone in the league. Now it’s time to make history and win the FFA Cup.” – Shane Rexhepi, Hume City
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens) – 15.58% of the vote
“It’s been a great season in 2015, winning the championship against South Melbourne, and it’s great to be in Team of the Season. Hopefully next year we can build on this year’s achievements and [enjoy more success].” – Jack Webster, Bentleigh Greens
LB: Brad Norton (South Melbourne) – 51.56% of the vote
“The season was totally different to last year. If you compare the injury woes, suspensions and losing main players, it’s a little pleasing knowing we came out with a few trophies and were Minor Premiers.
Brad has been tremendous this year. He worked on a few parts of his game and was so vital in our defensive unit and also getting forward and linking up with Epa [Nick Epifano] and Milos [Lujic]. Unbelievable talent, great bloke and extremely good looking which is why all the promo photos are of him.” – Tim Mala, South Melbourne
CM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City) – 13.03% of the vote
“It’s been an honour to lead out such a great bunch of men this season. We have a very young and exciting squad with great potential and if we can keep most of them together for a few years, we have a chance to challenge for honours. These lads give me the chance to express myself on the field, so my inclusion is down them.” – Nick Hegarty, Hume City
AM: Andreas Govas (Heidelberg United) – 13.13% of the vote
“I’m very happy with how I have performed this year, I worked extremely hard in the off-season to ensure that I started the year off strongly which I did. I had a great team around me and we all worked very hard for each other on the pitch which made my job a lot easier. [George] Katsakis ensured we were all on the same page when we crossed the white line.
Throughout the season I did my best to maintain my form by doing a bit of extra work after training, practicing set pieces as well as maintaining my fitness which helped me a lot towards the end of the season. I am really looking forward to next year especially after such a successful season and I have already started preparing for what I hope will be an even better season in 2016.” – Andreas Govas, Heidelberg United
AM: Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh Greens) – 20.69% of the vote
“For me personally, it’s a great way to end the season with another selection in the Team of the Year. When you look at the shortlist of midfielders, there were a lot of quality players so thank you to everyone who voted for me.
“I really enjoyed my first season at Bentleigh Greens working with Johnny A [Anastasiadis] and everyone at the club. From a club perspective we probably underachieved as we set our standards very high, however it was a perfect end to the season with the club winning its first ever major trophy in the form of a Grand Final against South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium.” – Tyson Holmes, Bentleigh Greens
LW: Nick Epifano (South Melbourne) – 19.09% of the vote
“As a team we had another fantastic season, winning many major trophies and to win Players’ Player of the Year was a great way to cap off the season. There are many great players in the league and to be voted by my peers for my efforts was a huge honour.” – Nick Epifano, South Melbourne
ST: Liam Boland (Green Gully) – 33.11% of the vote
“I really enjoyed my football in the second half of the year and I’m very hungry for success next year with Green Gully. I’m very happy to be back next year, everybody at the club knows we are capable of achieving something. I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be a big 2016 season for Gully and myself.” – Liam Boland, Green Gully
RW: Yusuf Ahmed (Dandenong Thunder) – 40.37% of the vote
“Well the season was the best I’ve had as everything just seemed to fall into place for me. But without the help of my teammates and coach nothing would be possible. I was only 17 and felt like I had done things I thought weren’t possible, but I worked really hard throughout the year to make things happen with the support of my brother Abdirahman and parents.
My coach Stuart Monro gave me and my brother the chance of a lifetime where no other team wanted to sign us. Stuart took us under his wing and helped us progress and from there I got my [Young Socceroos] call-up and a spot playing for Melbourne City, so things can only go up from here.” – Yusuf Ahmed, Dandenong Thunder
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Substitutes:
Chris May (Melbourne Knights) – 27.1% of the vote
“[A] great shot-stopper who won us several games this year and made some crucial saves, especially in big games. Allows the team and particularly us defenders to feel more assured with the ball because we know he’s there to mop any of our mistakes up.” – Ivan Grgic, Melbourne Knights
Tomislav Uskok (Melbourne Knights) – 15.24% of the vote
“On a personal level, I was happy with my season as I thought I grew as a person and as a player. The team this year I think was exceptional as not many people expected much from us and to finish 4th was a fantastic achievement, although it was sad to go out the way we did. Overall, it was a great year for the club!” – Tomislav Uskok, Melbourne Knights
Adrian Talarico (Pascoe Vale) – 37.46% of the vote
“Adrian has been at the club for seven years and has been the epitome of the NPL ‘youth product’ the federation is trying to implement. Promoted to the seniors after a Best and Fairest U20s season and I don’t recall him missing a game this year. He’s also always the last to leave team dinners, a real clubman.” – Matthew Conversano, Pascoe Vale
Iqi Jawadi (South Melbourne) – 12.39% of the vote
“He is an agile midfielder who doesn’t stop running no matter what. Breaks up the play very well and is very dangerous in the final third. Absolute champion of a guy and you are forever laughing around him in the change rooms.” – Tim Mala, South Melbourne
Marcus Schroen (Hume City) – 9.87% of the vote
“Overall it’s been a pretty positive year both from a team and personal view. After the injury last year, I just wanted to get back on the field for the start of the season, get as much game time under my belt as I could and enjoy playing again. So to be able to contribute to the team success we have had this year has been really pleasing!” – Marcus Schroen, Hume City
Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne) – 7.87% of the vote
“He’s a great player and I’ve learnt a lot from working with him this season [in the attacking third]. Lot’s of the younger boys look up to him and he is a great character in the dressing room who always has a joke or two ready.” – Nick Krousoratis, Port Melbourne Sharks
Chris Lucas (Bentleigh Greens) – 19.11% of the vote
“Being nominated for the Team of the Season just tops of a great first year with Bentleigh Greens. Being amongst strikers such as Dan Heffernan – who has just recently signed for the Central Coast Mariners – and Milos Lujic – who has finished with the Golden Boot the past couple of seasons – is a pretty good achievement for my first season. Thank you to all who voted!” – Chris Lucas, Bentleigh Greens