In the weeks leading up to the conclusion of the NPL season, The Corner Flag is taking the opportunity to let you decide who makes up the Team of the Season for 2014. Each week from now we’ll put up a poll in which you can vote for who you think should make the cut as the best performers of the season to date.
They’ve held their own and distributed to perfection, created goals with attacking flair and dazzled right up and down the wing – Yes, it’s time to see who the best performing midfielders & wingers of 2014 have been.
Don’t forget to vote for your favourites via the poll below!
Right-wing
Goran Zoric (Oakleigh Cannons)
The most Team of the Week appearances out of any winger with five, Zoric has played his role in a potent Oakleigh forward line. Possessing a good touch and a handy knack for scoring goals from the wing – amassing a hefty total of 10 for the season – he’s been one of the Cannons best in a commendable year. A nifty little side note, the quartet of Zoric, Piemonte, Foster and Bosnjak have contributed 47 goals, which is 82% of the clubs total tally.
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 11, 12, 13, 16)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 7)
Liam Wooding (Northcote City)
The ex-Adelaide United winger is a tricky prospect for opposition defences, combining his deft touch and silky dribbling with some clinical shooting this campaign. Has played everywhere for Northcote across the front line, on the flanks, behind the striker and even further up top, and has contributed heavily from set-pieces. For the Team of the Season however, we’ve decided to put him in with the right midfielders. Five goals – and some beauties within those – is a good return for the year.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 6, 9, 23)
Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne Sharks)
A great balanced dribbler, the former Melbourne City winger has been a standout for Port Melbourne this campaign. Their primary set-piece taker, Ibrahim has worked both flanks with plenty of energy, often showing a burst of pace to get past his man. A good user of the ball, Ibrahim has added a couple of goals to back up his wing play.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 2, 24)
Kieran Dover (Dandenong Thunder)
He’s been one of Dandenong’s best in a tough season and his form has alerted the head honchos at Melbourne Victory, where he’s been trialling throughout their pre-season. After netting an impressive hat-trick against Goulburn Valley on the weekend, he finally showed that he has the ability to finish chances, something that has plagued him and his teammates this season. Playing with confidence, there’s a bright future ahead for the fleet footed winger.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 22, 25)
Unlucky to miss out:
Christopher Cristaldo (Hume City)
The Melbourne Victory forward has had a decent spell in Hume colours, where he’s had to battle hard in a physical league. While not the tallest player, CC makes up for that with his quick thinking and lightning pace. Will be good to see if he can push on and secure more first team action in the A-League.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 9, 11)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 18)
***
Left-wing
Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
A hard-working winger with an eye for goals, Epifano has been a force for a title winning South side. Has played mainly down the left, but often drops inboard or out onto the right to free up space for his strikers. Has set up the partnership of Milos Lujic and Jamie Reed for an abundance of goals this season as well as adding four of his own.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 3, 4/5, 22)
Osagie Ederaro (Green Gully)
The winger has been one of the Cavaliers shining lights in their front half this season. Ederaro has nabbed eight goals from the left and his pace and close control has caused a number of headaches for opposing full-backs across the state. He loves to cut in-field to free up a shot and has plenty of tricks in his book to get past his man.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 1)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 14)
Ben Clarke (Goulburn Valley Suns)
A-League clubs are rumoured to be circling for the talented winger and it’s little wonder why after a standout year at the relegated Suns. He has pace to match his trickery and loves to take on his man. Three goals is a bonus from the wide left position.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 7, 18)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 13)
Nelson Salvatore (Ballarat Red Devils)
When deployed on the flank, Salvatore has proved himself an old fashioned winger. You know what you’re going to get from him, and that’s plenty of quality service from the left. Has strung a good series of games together in the second half of the season and has contributed plenty of assists to go with his two Team of the Week nods.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 16, 23)
Unlucky to miss out:
Ryan De Vries (Bentleigh Greens)
Has been fantastic since re-joining the club mid-season. It’s a deadly mix when you combine strength, pace and trickery, and De Vries has those qualities in abundance. His direct running and flair has helped Bentleigh fill the void left by David Stirton and Brent McGrath who’ve left the club.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 21, 22)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 17)
Other wingers who’ve made TOTW appearances:
– Mark McGough (Heidelberg United) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 3)
– Joseph Youssef (Pascoe Vale) Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 12, 19)
– Luca Santilli (Pascoe Vale) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 14), Bench: 1 (Rd 16)
– Abel Fesseha (Hume City) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 15), Bench: 1 (Rd 19)
– Jonathan Munoz (Northcote City) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 17)
– Andrew Cartanos (Heidelberg United) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 21), Bench: 2 (Rd 22, 24)
– Jordan O’Doherty (Melbourne Knights) Bench selections: 1 (Rd 19)
– Marino Gasparis (Northcote City) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 1)
– Dom Swinton (Ballarat Red Devils) Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 2, 9)
– Jason Hayne (Green Gully) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 7)
– Daniel Vasilevski (Heidelberg United) Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 6, 16)
– Shayan Alinejad (Melbourne Knights) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 18), Bench: 2 (Rd 14, 24)
– Jamie De Abreu (Bentleigh Greens) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 23)
***
Central Midfielders
Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens, Defensive Midfield)
If it were down to us, Wallace would be amongst first names on the team sheet for the NPL Team of the Season for 2014. Alas, the Englishman has to settle for a spot amongst the nominations instead. His steely, never say die attitude combined with both his knack of breaking up the play and sound passing makes Wallace the perfect holding midfielder. His season haul of five goals showcases his aerial ability from set-pieces and his willingness to push forward. Bentleigh’s talisman and arguably the best midfielder of the season.
Starting XI selections: 5 (Rd 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 6)
Dominic D’Angelo (Oakleigh Cannons, Defensive Midfield)
Cannon’s coach Miron Bleiberg labelled D’Angelo as his best player for the year so far; high praise for the new signing. The plaudits are well deserved too as the versatile mid has starred for the second placed Oakleigh, whether he’s played in defence or in midfield. His work rate has been first-class, as he often busts a lung going box-to-box. Two goals is a decent return from the deep-lying midfielder.
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 7, 12, 16, 24)
Joseph Franjic (Hume City, Defensive Midfield)
Hume City for one reason or another have struggled in terms of consistency in playing staff. One player that has sat through it all is Joey Franjic, whose best work has been holding together the midfield. A nippy player, Franjic loves to get stuck in– six yellow cards and two reds pays testament to this – proving to be an important figure for Hume, who nominated him as one of their best performing players this season.
No TOTW selections
Jack Petrie (Heidelberg United, Box-to-Box)
A good all round midfielder with good game sense, Petrie has been one of Heidelberg’s more consistent performers. Strong in the tackle and a good distributor of the ball, Petrie has added goals to his game, netting six to go along with the service he’s provided Sheppard and Heffernan.
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 13)
Tyson Holmes (South Melbourne, Playmaker)
The vice-captain been a standout for South Melbourne since making the move to Lakeside Stadium last season. An attacking minded midfielder whose wonderful distribution is often the catalyst for his side’s forward movement. His season tally of three goals to date backs up his five from midfield last season. Fellow midfielders Matthew Theodore and Iqi Jawadi have all played a crucial role for South’s this campaign with both unlucky to miss out on a nomination.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 8, 24)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 19, 23)
Daniel Visevic (Melbourne Knights, Playmaker)
Visevic has been a staple in a Knights side that’s slid in and out of form all season, earning four Team of the Week nods in the process. He’s played in just behind the wide strikers in an odd 4-3-3 that the Knights have used this season and has supplied countless assists for his teammates in the process. He’s also popped up with five season goals, which have been crucial for his side. Tomislav Uskok pushed very hard for a nomination as well.
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 10, 12, 16, 17)
Matt Millar (Dandenong Thunder, Utility)
Between Millar and fellow exciting talent Kieran Dover, the Thunder has plenty going for them in their midfield stocks. The young full-back turn midfielder has lit up George Andrews Reserve with his bursting runs and dazzling goals (5), which have acted as the catalyst for Thunder limited success this season. It’s been hard to pigeonhole Millar into a specific position – having played out on the wing in defence and up front – but he’s shone most through the middle for Dandy, which saw him win the Rising Star of the Month award for Round’s 1-4.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 2, 8, 25)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 10)
Lambros Honos (Port Melbourne Sharks, Attacking Midfield)
It’s been a tough year for Port Melbourne, who has only managed to keep themselves afloat due to their good form against the sides at the foot of the ladder, but in Honos they have one of the leagues most dangerous attacking midfielders. He possesses a deft touch and can pick passes that many players wouldn’t see, let alone attempt. He’s played a lot of the season up top as well, rather though as a deep-lying forward, where he naturally drops back to get on the ball. He finds home as a number 10 in our Team of the Season nominations after firing home five goals from midfield.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 8)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 7, 14)
Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons, Deep-Lying Forward)
The 23-year-old midfielder has played a large part in the Cannon’s surge up the ladder, scoring 10 goals in an attacking midfield role. With a plethora of striking options in their line-up, goals have been incredibly easy to come by for Oakleigh and Bosnjak’s role as an free-roaming attacking mid has allowed him to both set up his teammates, but also get into goal scoring positions with aplomb. The NPL’s first ever Player of the Month recipient has gone on with his form and had a wonderful season.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 2, 4/5)
Bench selections: 4 (Rd 6, 8, 14, 17)
Unlucky to miss out:
Liam McCormick (Bentleigh Greens)
Bentleigh have been blessed with a number of players adept at playing in the heart of midfield. Alongside Wallace, McCormick has been decent for the Green’s especially in the absence of Luc Jeggo, who had impressed early before suffering a season ending injury. Doesn’t quit and has a tank that allows him to cover every blade of grass.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 11, 23)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 10)
Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
Had it not been for a serious knee injury, Hume City’s star midfielder may have been one of the top contenders for a spot in the Team of the Season. He showed them what he was capable of after netting a brace on his starting return; proving he’d lost no match sharpness after earning three early Team of the Week berths.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 1, 7, 8)
Tomislav Uskok (Melbourne Knights)
Has been the stop-gap solution for the Knights in the centre of defence in the latter stages of the year, but has played the majority of his football further up the pitch. A clubman through and through, Uskok is a dependable figure in the centre of the park, and off his boot lead the Knights to their Dockerty Cup success.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 1, 15)
Bryan Vanega (Green Gully & Goulburn Valley Suns)
Vanega has been the Suns lynchpin since joining the club in the mid-season transfer window from Green Gully. The veteran keeps his side ticking over at all times and has created plenty in that loose role linking midfield and attack.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 18, 21)
Jonathan Voulgaris (Pascoe Vale)
One of Pascoe Vale’s better performers, Voulgaris has had stints all across the midfield. Operating mainly as a right winger or a number 10, Voulgaris is a dangerous crosser of the ball and a tight dribbler.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 11, 13, 14)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 8)
Other midfielders who’ve made TOTW appearances:
- Liam Harding (Ballarat Red Devils) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 22)
- Luc Jeggo (Bentleigh Greens) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 6)
- Feston Azizi (Dandenong Thunder) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 19)
- Alan Kearney (Dandenong Thunder) Bench selections: 1 (Rd 12)
- Alan Mulcahy (Dandenong Thunder) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 3), Bench: 1 (Rd 8)
- Marcus Schroen (Dandenong Thunder) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 4/5)
- Frankie Lagana (Goulburn Valley Suns) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 9)
- Jeffery Fleming (Green Gully) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 21)
- Andy Vargas (Green Gully) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 12), Bench: 1 (Rd 10)
- Jacob Colosimo (Melbourne Knights) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 2)
- Marijan Cvitkovic (Melbourne Knights) Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 22, 23)
- Ben Surey (Melbourne Knights) Bench selections: 1 (Rd 16)
- James Kalifatidis (Northcote City) Starting XI: 2 (Rd 10, 12), Bench: 1 (Rd 16)
- Evan Christodoulou (Oakleigh Cannons) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 7)
- Andreas Govas (Oakleigh Cannons) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 4/5)
- Michael Ferrante (Pascoe Vale) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 6), Bench: 1 (Rd 4/5)
- Marco Santilli (Pascoe Vale) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 13)
- Iqi Jawadi (South Melbourne) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 10), Bench: 2 (Rd 7, 15)
- Matthew Theodore (South Melbourne) Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 11)