The Corner Flag is back with the Team of the Season, rewarding the most consistent performers over the course of the PS4 NPL Victoria campaign. In a new format, we’ll publish an article with two teams: our media select, along with a fan voted XI, where you select your standouts in 2015. Every few days we’ll post the shortlist for a particular position.
Whether they’re the physically imposing big men or the smaller nippy type with a poachers instinct, we’re paying homage to the strikers of the NPL Victoria who bang in the goals on a weekly basis. Often the cult heroes amongst the terraces, they are the men who often win games with late heroics and as such are much loved by the fans.
Pick the striker who you believe have stood out most this season via the link at the bottom of the page. You can vote once per day and make sure you share this around to ensure your pick makes the cut!
NPL Team of the Season: Goalkeepers
NPL Team of the Season: Centre-Backs
NPL Team of the Season: Fullbacks
NPL Team of the Season: Central Midfielders
NPL Team of the Season: Wingers
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In alphabetical order:
Liam Boland (Oakleigh Cannons/Green Gully)
20 appearances (2 sub), 17 goals
6 TOTW nominations: (7), 13, 19, 22, 23 (25)
Was lured from Western Australia by Oakleigh, only to find himself struggling for game time, even though a brace against the Knights earned a rare point for the club under Miron Bleiberg. He then made the decision to move to Green Gully and didn’t look back, scoring 15 times from 13 games to lead the club’s mid-season resurgence.
Dan Heffernan (Heidelberg United)
22 appearances (0 sub), 14 goals
5 TOTW nominations: 13, 14, 19, (22), 24
A second straight campaign of bullying defenders across the NPL Victoria saw Englishman Dan Heffernan secure a return of 14 goals in 22 league games. However it was a relatively tough start to the season as injuries saw him miss out on a few games early. But it didn’t take long for him to get into the swing of things as he peaked nicely late in the season, including some blistering form in the FFA Cup which helped secure the big man an A-League contract with the Central Coast Mariners.
Chris Lucas (Bentleigh Greens)
27 appearances (0 sub), 16 goals
4 TOTW nominations: (7), 15, 17, 26
Lucas was a big profile signing for the Greens after banging in goals for fun at Palm Beach Sharks. While he was serviceable on the wing, it was after Matt Thurtell – who would’ve made this list were it not for his injury – did his knee that Lucas took on the responsibility of central striker and shone, scoring 14 times during the home-and-away season, and twice more in finals.
Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
27 appearances (1 sub), 21 goals
7 TOTW nominations: 7, (10), 12, (13), 24, 25, 26
The reigning Golden Boot winner enjoyed another strong season atop the attacking triangle at Lakeside Stadium, nodding in 21 league goals from 27 appearances. His season was a funny one however as he took some time to get going; his strong form coinciding with the prevalence of Andy Brennan in the starting line-up. When the winger left for Newcastle Jets, he enjoyed another lull before barnstorming home with a stellar final month and a half, including some impressive performances in the Cup competitions.
Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
24 appearances (1 sub), 8 goals
7 TOTW nominations: 1, (5), 6, 8, 10, 13, (19)
The second Heidelberg forward to make the cut is Heffernan’s strike partner and fellow countryman Kaine Sheppard. The promising young hitman has proved to be perfect foil with a number of strong performances, particularly towards the front end of the season. A well balanced forward who is equally adept at setting up goals as he is finishing them, Sheppard grabbed eight goals in 2015 from 24 appearances.
Select the ONE striker you believe should make the Team of the Season below:
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