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 first week of voting, we present to you the finest goalkeepers in the league. These are the men who at times have single-handedly kept their teammates in a contest, with that special blend of concentration, athleticism and downright crazy. A good goalie is agile, strong, quick to react and most importantly reliable as the buck stops with them as the last line of defence.
Again don’t forget to place your votes via the poll at the bottom, and please share to ensure the goalkeeper you think stood out most gets the nod!
John Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
One of the real standout keepers of the National Premier League season to date. He’s been the first name on the Oakleigh team sheet week after week with a number of eye-catching performances, which has seen him earn five total selections in our Team of the Week. A large part in the leagues most stringent defence, conceding 16 goals in 23 games with 10 clean sheets to boot. A strong bodied, uncompromising goalkeeper that’s safe as houses.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 4/5, 6, 19)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 11, 12)
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Alastair Bray (Bentleigh Greens)
It was clear that two wouldn’t fit into one at Bentleigh, and that was the situation the club had on their hands. With two quality keepers on the books in veteran Stuart Webster and the up and coming Alastair Bray it was always a tough ask to keep both happy. Ultimately it was the former who departed as Bray stood up to claim the number one jersey. He’s had a stellar year since making the spot his own, notching up six clean sheets in the last 13 rounds, for a total of 24 goals conceded in 18 outings (with four Oakleigh goals flying past him this week). Within that, he’s made two appearances in our Team of the Week, in Round’s 12 and 18.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 12, 18)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 16)
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Christopher May (Melbourne Knights)
May has been a consistent figure in goals for the Knights in season 2014. Earning the most Team of the Week selections out of any goalkeeper in the NPL, he’s proven himself a capable match winner – or for the Knights early on – a capable damage control expert. As his side’s form stepped up after the first 10 or so rounds, so did the gloveman, and whilst on the surface his one clean sheet for the season doesn’t look too impressive, the goals against tally for the Knights would be a lot worse had he not performed so admirably up until his lengthy suspension.
Starting XI selections: 6 (Rd 1, 2, 9, 11, 14, 17)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 15)
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Jason Saldaris (South Melbourne)
Has played the majority of the season for South Melbourne, keeping a clean sheet every other game for the ladder leaders (11 clean sheets in 22 games). The young man is a talented shot-stopper, quick to react and has experience that belies his tender age. Already into his second spell at the club, the keeper has been a key in South Melbourne’s stringent defence – second best in league – and subsequent title charge.
Starting XI selections: 0
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 8, 10)
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Chris Theodoridis (Northcote City)
Northcote City’s 26-year-old custodian is another to star in goals this season, displaying a knack for standing strong in one-on-one situations. The defence at times showed worrying signs – three goals or more conceded in a game seven times this season – but Theodoridis has stood up to save his sides bacon a number of times. Whilst a little hasty sometimes coming off his line, it’s often to his advantage as he scuppers shots at the feet.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 23)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 14)
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Chris Oldfield (Hume City)
A stalwart in goals for Hume City, Chris Oldfield has kept seven clean sheets thus far in between the sticks. Despite conceding two this week, he starred in the contest, doing his best to keep his side in the game against Heidelberg. Great diving and awareness are a shining light in his game although his ability aerially is a little more suspect. Nonetheless, the keeper has had a solid season for Hume, as they sit fifth on the NPL ladder.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 16)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 7)
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Stefaan Sardelic (Pascoe Vale)
Played his part in five clean sheets in his 18 games in Pascoe Vale colours, conceding a meagre 23 goals in the process. Has had to contend with young keeper Yaren Sozer for a starting XI berth with the latter providing good coverage when in the side late in the season.
Starting XI selections: 0
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 13)
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Tommy Dunn (Werribee City)
It’s been a difficult season for Werribee City with the relegation threatened club posing the second worst defensive record. On that logic it seems like goalkeeper Tommy Dunn would be a strange choice for a Team of the Season spot, but the 22-year-old has proven himself at this level this year. Sure, he’s made a few errors here and there this season but it’s easy to gloss over that as the young keeper has kept his side in contests at various stages of the year. Three shut outs is his reward for a decent year.
Starting XI selections: 3 (Rd 8, 10, 21)
Bench selections: 0
Others who’ve made TOTW appearances
- Griffin McMaster (Heidelberg United, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Frazer Siddall (Dandenong Thunder, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Aaron Romein (Ballarat Red Devils, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Phillip Petrovski (Goulburn Valley Suns, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Kieran Gonzalez (Green Gully, 1 substitute appearance)
- Stjepan Gal (Port Melbourne, 1 substitute appearance)
- Yaren Sozer (Pascoe Vale, 1 substitute appearance)
- Ryan Norval (Heidelberg United, 1 substitute appearance)
- Stuart Webster (Bentleigh Greens, 1 substitute appearance)
- Chris Maynard (South Melbourne, 1 substitute appearance)