It was a season that started in the best possible fashion for the Bentleigh Greens, who claimed the Charity Shield in pre-season. That pre-empted more silverware for the club from the South-East suburbs as they went on to claim the Minor Premiership as well as the Dockerty Cup with a narrow win over Green Gully. The big winners this season however were South Melbourne, who triumphed over fourth-placed finishers Oakleigh Cannons in the NPL Grand Final in a 3-2 result at Lakeside Stadium.
With the season done and dusted and over 5,000 votes cast across two weeks, we can now officially present you with the 2016 NPL Victoria Team of the Season selected by you the fans, but first is TCF’s Media Select Team of the Season. Congratulations to all involved.
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Media Select Team of the Season
Starting XI:
GK: Nikola Roganovic (South Melbourne) – 29 games, 10 clean sheets
RB: Jeremy Walker (Hume City) – 26 games, 0 goals
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United) – 25 games, 3 goals
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens) – 27 games, 5 goals
LB: Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens) – 24 games, 2 goals
CM: Matthew Foschini (South Melbourne) – 27 games, 0 goals
CM: Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens) – 22 games, 9 goals
AM: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons) – 28 games, 23 goals
RW: Alex Caniglia (Richmond SC) – 24 games, 9 goals
LW: Sean Ellis (Heidelberg United) – 24 games, 10 goals
ST: Milos Lujic (South Melbourne) – 28 games, 27 goals
Bench:
Chris Oldfield (Hume City) – 24 games, 8 clean sheets
Nick Glavan (Melbourne Knights) – 23 games, 2 goals
Steve Pantelidis (Oakleigh Cannons) – 28 games, 1 goal
Daniel Jones (Green Gully) – 26 games, 2 goals
Les Doumbalis (Heidelberg United) – 25 games, 2 goals
James McGarry (Melbourne Knights) – 21 games, 6 goals
Luke Walker (Green Gully) – 26 games, 0 goals
Matthew Millar (South Melbourne) – 29 games, 7 goals
Jonatan Germano (Avondale FC) – 19 games, 14 goals
Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale) – 22 games, 9 goals
Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United) – 23 games, 18 goals
Fan Voted Team of the Season
GK: Ryan Scott (Bentleigh Greens) – 28 games, 10 clean sheets
Bentleigh have had a good run of young keepers, with Alastair Bray now followed by Scott to cement their places between the sticks in their early-twenties. It’s not easy for a young keeper to break through at any level, let alone at a club chasing many honors across many competitions. Yet Scott proved himself throughout the campaign, even during tougher periods when some mistakes were made. Given a vote of confidence from John Anastasiadis, he overcame these to finish strongly. 29.35% of the vote
LB: Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens) – 24 games, 2 goals
One of the most solid defenders in the league, the former Football Superstar winner highlighted his worth for John Anastasiadis with a number of performances at centre-back in the absence of Ross Archibald due to injury. Played a key role in many of the club’s successes in 2016. 35.29% of the vote
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens) – 27 games, 5 goals
Webster has been compared to former Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith previously in that he has all the hallmarks of being capable of making the grade in the A-League – and beyond – from a similar career trajectory. Still only in his mid-20s, he was a constant star for his backline, including scoring a few crucial goals throughout the campaign. 30.61% of the vote
CB: Daniel Jones (Green Gully) – 26 games, 2 goals
Alongside Roddy Vargas, the experienced Englishman provided one half of the oldest pair of starting centre-backs in the league. Leading his side with distinction, Jones helped ensure his keeper Rani Dowisha, saw very little action at the back in many games. 16.34% of the vote
RB: Nick Glavan (Melbourne Knights) – 23 games, 2 goals
Glavan notched up a season of senior consolidation at Melbourne Knights after being released from Melbourne Victory’s youth side. One of the standouts in the side’s league and FFA Cup campaigns, he was recognised for his efforts by being called up to the player pathway award trials run by the FFA. 50.61% of the vote
CM: Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens) – 22 games, 9 goals
Wallace just keeps on delivering for Bentleigh and John Anastasiadis. Him calmness and control of midfield was pivotal to his side’s domination of many matches, and his presence certainly was missed when he was unavailable. Nine goals from midfield for the campaign rounded off another successful year and his last in Bentleigh colours. 27.35% of the vote
CM: Matthew Foschini (South Melbourne) – 27 games, 0 goals
Known as a fullback in his Melbourne Victory days, Foschini has since honed his craft as a holding midfielder. Never lacked energy in the engine room and his determination and effort made him one of his side’s best, even when the team was going through a lull. An ultimate professional who played across the park in 2016. 26.73% of the vote
AM: Marcus Schroen (South Melbourne) – 28 games, 8 goals
His move from Hume City made waves in the off-season, but it ultimately paid dividends for both player and club. While Schroen himself admitted it wasn’t smooth sailing all season, a key attribute emerged which was his ability to produce clutch performances in big games as highlighted by the Grand Final, similar to his FFA Cup feats of last year, to put himself back in the A-League window. 32.14% of the vote
LW: Alex Caniglia (Richmond SC) – 24 games, 9 goals
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. 29.13% of the vote
RW: Matt Millar (South Melbourne) – 29 games, 7 goals
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. 17.78% of the vote
ST: Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United) – 23 games, 18 goals
Athiu’s breakout season in the top flight saw him emerge in the shadows of Dan Heffernan to cement his starting spot and score goals regularly. His pace, athleticism, height and killer instinct made him unstoppable at times. Was his side’s talisman up front to great effect. 35.53% of the vote
Bench:
Chris Oldfield (Hume City) – 24 games, 8 clean sheets
A beacon of reliability over what seems like forever in the league, Oldfield departed Hume City this season as the reigning FFV Goalkeeper of the Year. After coming from A-League trials this season the custodian helped his side to another campaign that led to FFA Cup finals and NPL finals appearances. Still in his mid-twenties, Oldfield maintained his reputation as one of the best keepers outside the A-League. 21.74% of the vote
Brad Norton (South Melbourne) – 28 games, 0 goals
The left-back consolidated his reputation as one of the most talented attacking fullbacks in the league. An ability to push high and whip in a dangerous cross led to numerous assists and attacking opportunities for teammates. His efforts contributed towards another championship for South. 34.11% of the vote
Steven Pace (Heidelberg United) – 25 games, 3 goals
The former Victory man made for a formidable central defensive duo alongside Luke Byles and used all his experience and nous to be the ideal partner at the back. Showed his ability to pop up for a few goals as well and continues to be one of the best in the business in Victoria. 15.05% of the vote
Jonathan Bounas (Northcote City) – 25 games, 4 goals
The physically imposing midfielder was one of Northcote’s best week-in, week-out in a tumultuous season, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the cause. His presence in the middle of the park, ability to make an important challenge, and penchant for a spectacular set-piece, made him a standout. 14.69% of the vote
Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons) – 28 games, 23 goals
The Bill Fleming medallist was also in the Golden Boot race for long periods of the season, highlighting his proficiency from an attacking midfield role. Bosnjak was one of the pivotal players this season after finding full fitness, and so many of his goals proving crucial winners, aiding his side’s run to the Grand Final. 29.91% of the vote
Sean Ellis (Heidelberg United) – 24 games, 10 goals
Much like the aforementioned 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. 16.02% of the vote
Liam Boland (Green Gully) – 25 games, 13 goals
Continued with his good form since signing mid-season in 2015 and making a brilliant first impression at Green Gully. Tall and imposing but with a technical ability that isn’t often associated with an out-and-out striker, he netted every other game while also providing assists. Had a penchant for scoring the incredible, including from set pieces. 19.81% of the vote
Graphics: Michael Alesich Design