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.
You’ll get the chance to vote for the wide men that impressed you the most this season. Always on call with a bag of tricks, these guys have the flair and showmanship to create chances out of nothing and do it in style. If they’re not bringing their teammates into the game, they they’re cutting in and scoring themselves and are the type of player that can single-handedly draw crowds to a game. So it’s time to reward them for the value they’ve provided on the pitch.
Pick the two wingers that 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
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In alphabetical order:
Yusuf Ahmed (Dandenong Thunder)
18 appearances (1 sub), 11 goals
5 TOTW nominations: (8), (9), 10, 11, (18)
Dandenong Thunder look to have uncovered another future star in Yusuf Ahmed, with the young attacker grasping his opportunities in 2015 with both hands. He tore up the right flank with a series of blistering showings, with his pace, surprising physicality and directness causing plenty of headaches for opposition defenders. The X-factor player found the back of the net 11 times in 17 league starts before departing the club at the latter end of the season. Spent some time trialling with Adelaide United, earned a Young Socceroos call-up for his good form and is now reportedly in the Melbourne City set-up.
Matthew Breeze (Green Gully)
21 appearances (2 sub), 7 goals
7 TOTW nominations: (1), (12), 17, 18, (24), (25), 26
The former Bendigo City attacker was one of Green Gully’s better performers throughout the 2015 season, playing all across the front three and providing quality service for the likes of Simon Tolli and Liam Boland. He has chipped in with his own fair share of goals with seven and made the most Team of the Week appearances out of anyone in the category. Finished runner-up in the Cavaliers’ Best and Fairest count on the back of his spectacular back end of the season.
Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
22 appearances, 8 goals
5 TOTW nominations: (1), (15), (17), 24, 25
The ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ recipient for 2015 carried on with last year’s form and strung together another impressive season for South Melbourne, putting his name forward as one of the premier left wingers in the competition. Quick feet and a penchant for a spectacular goal, Epa was an entertainment machine in 2015, making 22 starts for South in their run to the Grand Final while chipping in with eight goals.
Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne)
26 appearances (1 sub), 8 goals
5 TOTW nominations: 1, 2, 6, 12, 23
While it may have been somewhat of a surprise that Kamal Ibrahim took home the NPL Victoria Gold Medal, trumping some more fancied names in the process, the fact that he wasn’t expected to win the gong shouldn’t at all deter from what was a great season from the winger at Port Melbourne. His early season form saw him tear to shreds the unfortunate fullbacks to face him. Has been crucial in a disappointing season for the Sharks, starting all but one game for the year and adding eight goals. A hard-working winger who’s enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Jai Ingham (Hume City)
28 appearances, 9 goals
5 TOTW nominations: (2), 5, 10, (19), (21)
The twice capped Brisbane Roar winger has made the step back down to the state leagues and has fast shown why he played at a national level with a series of majestic displays across both wings. While he’s played mainly on the right wing, especially with Theo Markelis linking up with Hume mid-season, it’s not an uncommon sight to see the pair swap flanks within a game. Possesses a strong right foot and a good build, his wing play is multi-faceted as he can float wide and play others in or cut the ball into the area and take the shot on himself. 28 starts and nine goals is a very serviceable return for his first season in the NPL Victoria.
Davey van ’t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
27 appearances, 7 goals
3 TOTW nominations: (7), (21), (23)
The flying Dutchman was hard to place in our Team of the Season categories as although he spent most of his time on the wing for Pascoe Vale, he was also tasked with filling the striking void left by the injured Jake Nakic. In both positions however he thrived and further built on his promising 2014 season at the club. Scored seven goals in his 27 appearances and helped Paco to a Semi-Final.
Reuben Way (Heidelberg United)
25 appearances (1 sub), 6 goals
3 TOTW nominations: (14), 16, 22
Heidelberg United’s left winger extraordinaire has strung together a consistent 2015 season after making the move south from Queensland’s Olympic FC. He at times has slipped under the radar in terms of the media attention surrounding a number of other players in the squad, but this classic winger has done his job week in, week out and provided plenty of service for Kaine Sheppard and Dan Heffernan. While he may not match Usain Bolt for pace, he often still finds a way around his marker and isn’t afraid to take a shot or two.
Robbie Zadworny (North Geelong Warriors/Melbourne Knights)
27 appearances, 9 goals
5 TOTW nominations: 3, 5, (16), 23, (24)
A blistering start to his NPL Victoria career with North Geelong Warriors – where he impressed as an inside forward on the left – earned Robbie Zadworny a mid-season move to Melbourne Knights, where he provided some much needed potency from wide positions at Somers Street. Was a solid contributor on the right wing, which saw Stipo Andrijasevic return to the middle of the park and provided drive, goal sense and trickery. Grabbed a memorable hat-trick against Green Gully to secure the Warriors’ first win in the NPL top-flight.
Select up to TWO wingers you believe should make the Team of the Season below:
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