NPL2 East in 2016 was for the most part a two-horse race led for the most part by Dandenong Thunder, before Kingston’s late charge saw City take out league honours with one of the last actions of the 28-round season. However there were plenty of standout performers across the whole and this this is the media-select Team of the Season that recognises those players.
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GK: Damir Salcin (Dandenong City) – 27 games, 3 clean sheets
The veteran shot-stopper had an outstanding season between the sticks for Hajduk, making a number of telling contributions throughout the campaign. He made a number of penalty saves over the course of the season which included a memorable Schwarzer-esque stop away to St Albans to ensure all three points for his side whose overall inconsistency cost them from mounting a promotion challenge.
RB: Nick Modaffari (Dandenong Thunder) – 27 games, 1 goal
Opposition attackers struggled to be on their best when facing up against the former Kingston defender who was tremendous throughout and enjoyed his best season to date in Victorian football having previously piled his trade in the lower leagues of Italy. One of the first names on the team sheet, his energy and drive from the back also saw him contribute value offensively as well.
CB: John Carroll (Dandenong City) – 23 games, 2 goals
Hajduk’s long-standing captain consolidated his legendary status at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex with another solid year marshalling the backline for Aaron Healey’s men. The Queenslander fared well when marking some of the league’s most in-form forwards and was also a threat at set pieces with new City manager Stuart Munro sure to be looking to retain his services for a seventh season in 2017.
CB: Faisal Sakhizada (Dandenong Thunder) – 25 games, 1 goal
The Afghan international was the league’s standout defender and a stable presence in the Thunder defence alongside former Socceroo Simon Colosimo. He also netted a vital goal in a hard-fought 1-0 win over rivals Springvale and his season-ending shoulder injury had a profound effect on his team’s fortunes as the 2012 treble winners went onto concede 12 goals in their following four matches.
LB: Hamish Millar (Kingston City) – 25 games, 2 goals
A right-footer by trade, the former Springvale White Eagles winger had little problems accustoming himself at left full-back where he was terrific in ensuring defensive stability in addition to attacking creativity. His first-full season at Kingston ended in promotion and he will no doubt look to replicate his younger brother’s Matt’s exploits in the top-flight where his versatility will also be important.
CM: Nick Stamatiou (Kingston City) – 29 games, 1 goal
The only member of Kingston’s promotion-winning Championship squad who featured in every one of his side’s fixtures this year and is the only surviving member of their previous top-flight campaign way back in 2007. His experience proved vital as he helped lead a young side to success with his long range goal in the 4-3 triumph over Thunder in 26 one of the season’s most spectacular.
CM: Kobbie Boahene (Box Hill United) – 24 games, 7 goals
The former Melbourne Victory Youth team member enjoyed his first real full season of football after featuring sparingly for the likes of South Melbourne and Bentleigh in recent years. The AIS graduate provided plenty of energy and a hard-work rate in the centre of United’s midfield while also finding the back of the net on seven occasions in 2016, which included three from three in Rounds 26-28.
AM: Velibor Mitrovic (Kingston City) – 24 games, 17 goals
The playmaker’s goals alone contributed to a total of 16 extra points to City’s promotion drive as he enjoyed his most prolific season to date at The Grange Reserve after returning to the club following a season-long stint playing in the Bosnian top-flight. Kingston’s elevation is the fourth second tier promotion win for the 24-year-old who will be finally looking to establish himself at the top level.
RF: Damir Stoilovic (Springvale White Eagles) – 27 games, 16 goals
Arguably the revelation of the season, the 19-year-old had only three games of the senior experience heading into 2016 but ended it by being crowned as the NPL2 Rising Star. His goalscoring exploits saw him earn many plaudits and no other Springvale player has scored more goals in a single season since former coach Zed Mihajlovic scored 16 in 1996. The White Eagles might struggle to keep him on form.
CF: Adam Wright (Brunswick City) – 26 games, 16 goals
The Welsh forward joined manager George Karkaletsis by moving to Brunswick from State League One side Clifton Hill and was the main source of goals as the Spartans enjoyed their best season in the NPL. After a slow start to the season, he kicked into gear mid-way through the campaign and would finish the year with 16 goals to his name as City took a number of memorable scalps to their name.
LF: Brandon Barnes (Dandenong Thunder) – 27 games, 42 goals
Save the best for last it seems as the unknown Englishman took the league by storm by causing plenty of panic and trouble for numerous defences throughout the year which saw him net an extraordinary 42 goals. This included eight against Nunawading, five against Bendigo and four against the Eastern Lions as well as multiple hat-tricks and braces with the Thunder’s failure to earn promotion making him a wanted target for many top flight sides.
Substitutes:
Keegan Coulter (Box Hill United) – 28 games, 6 clean sheets
Box Hill’s Best and Fairest winner had a consistent season in goal, making a number of great saves for the club where he was the only United player to feature in all 28 league games.
Jeremy Min Fa (Springvale White Eagles) – 28 games, 1 goal
A pillar of consistency on the right side of the Springvale defence, the young full back enjoyed a great debut season in NPL2 after joining from State League One outfit Malvern City,
Simon Colosimo (Dandenong Thunder) – 24 games, 3 goals
The veteran defender still encompasses class aplenty as his experience and quality saw him form one of the best partnerships in the league with Sakhizada as well as chipping in with a few important goals.
Ryan Love (Kingston City) – 25 games, 0 goals
The Queenslander was a leader at the back for City, he experienced an injury-riddled start to the season but proved pivotal at the business end of the campaign.
Nathan Fox (Brunswick City) – 26 games, 0 goals
A summer signing from Green Gully, Fox got better as the season went along and was one of the Spartans where his performances against the likes of Thunder and Kingston earned specific praise.
Zdenek Koukal (Kingston City) – 22 games, 9 goals
The Czech youth international played a number of positions across the season which was at times frustrated by injury but came good and contributed with a number of important goals.
Brendan Elmazovski (Dandenong Thunder) – 29 games, 3 goals
Whether it was in the centre of the park or at left-back, the Thunder captain was ever-present who continued his impressive track record of not missing a league game since 2013.
Mouad Zwed (Kingston City) – 27 games, 3 goals
The Libyan live-wire took some time to find his feet in Victorian football but once he did he displayed a number of prominent performances with his assists and dribbling skills catching the eye.
Cameron Neales (Eastern Lions) – 17 games, 10 goals
Injured for much of the second half of the campaign, his influence in the first half of the season must not be understated for a player who made the leap from State League Two this year.
Anthony Gaillard (Goulburn Valley Suns) – 26 games, 7 goals
Another player who took some time to find his best form but once the Frenchman kicked into full gear, he showcased his quality and skill while netting a number of important goals.
Amir Osmancevic (Dandenong Thunder/City) – 23 games, 15 goals
Like Neales, the 21-year-old striker made the jump from the fourth tier and was a constant threat even if the goals dried up in the second part of the season while at Hajduk.
Honourable Mentions: Fraser Maclaren (Dandenong Thunder), Cody Sellwood (Goulburn Valley Suns), Marcus Holmes (Springvale White Eagles), Caleb Ludlow (Box Hill United), Kristian Sarkies (Dandenong Thunder), Gonzalo Freddi (Dandenong City), Zac Walker (Murray United), Damian Iaconis (Kingston City)