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.
For this week of voting, we have the excitement machines, the ones that are judged on their ability to stick the ball in the back of the net. Whether they’re the bustling, target man bullies or the expert marksmen, capable of picking their spot to perfection, they’re the players that fill the supporters with the most joy.
Don’t forget to vote for your favourites via the poll below!
Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
The target man has run away with the golden boot this year, ousting Dan Heffernan by four goals in the end. A deadly finisher, whether the ball’s in the air or at the feet, Lujic has been the focal point of the South attack, and has once again proved his credentials as the best striker in the league.
Goals Scored: 22
Starting XI selections: 7 (Rd 3, 6, 10, 15, 18, 22, 24)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 25)
Daniel Heffernan (Heidelberg United)
The Englishman has been superb for Heidelberg this season and has provided good competition for the golden boot. A composed dribbler for a tall man, Heffernan’s strength allows him to bully defenders. Obviously a classy finisher as well, his combination with Kaine Sheppard has proven to be one of the best strike pairings in the league.
Goals Scored: 18
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 7, 8, 19, 21)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 17, 24)
Nate Foster (Oakleigh Cannons)
The Canadian striker has had a marvellous first year in Oakleigh colours, where his lightning pace has wreaked havoc amongst opposition defences across the state. Making nine total Team of the Week appearances, Foster has contributed more than just his goals, as he’s provided plenty of assists when shifted onto the left wing. A proper two-footed footballer, he’s equally adept at going to the by-line and crossing on the left, or cutting in and shooting on the right.
Goals Scored: 13
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 9, 21, 22, 24)
Bench selections: 5 (Rd 4/5, 6, 13, 15, 19)
Dean Piemonte (Oakleigh Cannons)
Foster and teammate Dean Piemonte have often exchanged spots on the park between that left wing and striker position, and they’ve both done so successfully. Piemonte has contributed more goals of the pair however and the sharp-shooter finishes the season as the league’s third top goal scorer.
Goals Scored: 16
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 7, 16, 17, 24)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 22)
Matthew Sanders (Green Gully)
A household name at the Cavaliers, the front man once again impressed clocking double figures to keep Green Gully safe. They mathematically secured survival off his boot against Northcote City in a 1-0 win. Despite missing nearly a month of football, Sanders has regardless been one of Gully’s best in an average season.
Goals Scored: 11
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 3, 12, 23)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 10, 25)
Jamie Reed (South Melbourne)
Lujic’s partner in crime has also had a great season in his second spell in the Victorian top-flight. The Englishman has clocked plenty of mileage in the last few seasons, going through Dandenong Thunder in 2010 via a host of lower league clubs in the UK. His first full season in the NPL has seen the forward contribute 12 goals along with his fair share of assists too. The set-piece specialist is a great all-round striker and has supported Lujic well.
Goals Scored: 12
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 4/5, 15)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 11, 18)
Paul Harvey (Ballarat Red Devils)
The marksman sparked a Ballarat revival and his goals will go down in the annals of the club after he almost single-handedly kept them up. His record of four wins and a draw from every game he’s scored in is a story in itself. A strong built centre-forward, Harvey is a bully in the air and a clinical finisher to boot. His return of eight goals in half a season is a remarkable feat.
Goals Scored: 8
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 17, 19, 25)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 18, 23)
Craig Carley (Goulburn Valley Suns)
Started like a house on fire with eight goals in the first nine rounds but faded as the season progressed. Carley was clinical from the penalty spot, converting seven of his eight spot kicks, with the GVS striker slotting home the rebound of the one he missed. Regardless, 14 goals for the campaign can’t be ignored and he sneaks in on the shortlist for the Team of the Season.
Goals Scored: 14
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 25)
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Unlucky to miss out:
Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
Another that’s faded goals wise as the season went on is Kaine Sheppard who’s only scored the solitary goal since the start of July. He has provided a good foil for Heffernan who’s gone on to score 18 goals this year. Magnificent work rate for a front man, Sheppard runs hard to win the ball in advanced positions. A silky player with the ball, he very narrowly misses out on a nomination.
Goals Scored: 10
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 3, 13)
Bench selections: 4 (Rd 11, 15, 21, 22)
Jake Nakic (Pascoe Vale)
A stellar hat-trick in the final round of the NPL season saw Nakic sneak into double figures for the year. Another one very unlucky to miss the cut.
Goals Scored: 11
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 19, 26)
Wade Dekker (Northcote City)
The Melbourne City trialist has been a consistent figure for Northcote and he started the season off with a bang with two goals and two assists in the opening three games. Having cemented his spot in the side early, Dekker went on to finish the season as the clubs top goal scorer with a number of eye-catching performances squeezed in between.
Goals Scored: 9
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 16, 18)
Brent McGrath (Bentleigh Greens)
Was a force in the half a season he spent with Bentleigh, getting his season tally into double digits at just under a goal a game. Had he played out the season before departing to Asia, he may well have pushed Lujic for top goal scorer honours.
Goals Scored: 10
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 4/5, 11, 13)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 12)
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Other strikers who’ve made TOTW appearances:
- Rodrigo Covarrubias (Melbourne Knights) Starting XI 1: 1 (Rd 1)
- David Stirton (Bentleigh Greens) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 18), Bench: 3 (Rd 6, 17, 21)
- Trent Rixon (Northcote City) Starting XI: 2 (Rd 6, 10), Bench: 1 (Rd 7)
- Leigh Minopoulos (South Melbourne) Starting XI: 2 (Rd 2, 21)
- Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 12), Bench: 1 (Rd 15)
- Kevin Braniff (Port Melbourne) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 1)
- Nicholas Krousoratis (Port Melbourne) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 8)
- Anthony Proia (Hume City) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 11)
- Jason Hayne (Green Gully) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 14)
- Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights) Bench: 2 (Rd 22, 23)
- Simon Tolli (Werribee City) Starting XI: 1 (Rd 24)