Fox Sports Commentator and respected sports journalist, Simon Hill, has announced his Top 50 players the A-League has seen in its 10 year history. Do you agree? Here is the list: 50 - SONG JIN-HYUNG - too few Asian imports have made their way to the A-League - Song is still my favourite (with due respect to Hyuk Su-Seo). Two-footed, with an ability to pick a pass and scored his fair share of goals, he’s now back in the K-League with Jeju. 49 - SASA OGNENOVSKI - remember when he first burst onto the scene? All long hair, beard and muscle, he looked like Conan the Barbarian in a football kit. Many doubted his ability. 22 Socceroo caps, one AFC Champions League and an AFC Player of the Year award later, not many are left in that camp. 48 - CASSIO - a fan favourite at Hindmarsh, where the supporters still enjoy his ready smile, roving runs, occasional spectacular goals and commitment to the cause. A good import stands the test of time - the little Brazilian has delivered. 47 - TRAVIS DODD - ears pinned back, steaming down the right flank at a packed Hindmarsh, it could only be Travis at his peak. Scored goals, but set up just as many. Injuries wound down his career - but the memories remain. 46 - NICK CARLE - the early years of the A-League was when Nicky flourished - all flicks, tricks and spectacular goals in a flamboyant Newcastle Jets team, winning goal of the season for a screamer against Adelaide. There may yet be an Indian summer to his career with Sydney FC. 45 - BRETT EMERTON - gets his spot due to the publicity he brought to the league upon his return. Sadly, Emmo’s body wasn’t the equal of the initial hype, but ever the true pro, he gave everything he could before retirement. 44 - JASON CULINA - changed the game for the competition when agreeing to come back from Europe at only 29. His first season with Gold Coast showed us what a classy player Jason was - then injuries took their toll. A crying shame. 43 - ROBBIE KRUSE - the disinterested moody teenager became a mature man under Ernie Merrick at Victory, and his raw attributes quickly earned him a move overseas, where he’s taken his game onto a different level. Now, he’s an automatic starter for the ‘Roos - fitness permitting. 42 - SASHO PETROVSKI - one from the early A-League years. Sasho was a terrific goal poacher, netting 41 in total for three A-League clubs, all in New South Wales. Considering he was 30 when the competition started, a great return. 41 - TRENT SAINSBURY - a surprise choice? I don’t think so. Trent was a Rolls-Royce of a footballer in the A-League - all timing and coolness thanks to his perfect reading of the game. His best is yet to come. 40 - ANDREW DURANTE - the unsung hero of the Wellington defence. Or maybe not - they like him so much over there, they made him a Kiwi. Rock solid along with Ben Sigmund - and Joe Marston Medallist in 2008 Grand Final with the Newcastle Jets. 39 - JOHN HUTCHINSON - not every player can be a goal thief, a flying winger, or a charismatic keeper. Every team needs their John Hutchinson. Leadership, organisation, and a bit of bite in the tackle. Hutch is a true Mariners legend, whose consistency down the years allowed him to play in three Grand Finals, plus a bit of international footy with Malta. 38 - JOHN ALOISI - his A-League career received mixed reviews, but 27 goals in 75 games is a fair return, and he had some great moments - the Premiership clincher against Melbourne Victory, and the first-ever strike in the Melbourne derby. He also became the first Sydney FC player to hit double figures in a season. 37 - JADE NORTH - flies under the radar, and has always been on the fringes of the “Roos, but at A-League level no-one can doubt his ability. Either in the centre or at right-back, North’s ability to read the game has earned him title medals at both Brisbane and Newcastle - the latter as captain. 36 - MILE JEDINAK - how can we leave out the current Socceroos captain? Proof that dreams can come true in this league - he once paid his own way to train in Gosford. Now he mixes it with the best in the top league in the world - and at World Cups as captain. We still pine for his long-range bombs at Bluetongue however... 35 - ALEX BROSQUE - along with Bridge, one of Sydney’s “Killer B’s” which did so much to help win the title in 2009/10, and the clubs player of the year three years in a row. A brief, but inspiring international renaissance followed, and now he’s back at his spiritual home - with Graham Arnold reckoning he’s even better than when he left. 34 - MARCOS FLORES - girls want to be with him, guys want to be him. Like the Pied Piper, he attracts people wherever he plays. Sublimely talented, but this is a big year for Marcos. Let’s hope he can find enough form to treat the ball like his girlfriend one more time. 33 - MICHAEL MCGLINCHEY - wee Mac isn’t the most popular fellow in Gosford at the moment, but when the dust settles, hopefully the fans will remember his contribution. A terrific little footballer, who added goals to his game as he grew in confidence under Graham Arnold. 32 - MARCO ROJAS - the only problem with the A-League is when you get a very special talent, you have to get to see them quick before the European clubs get a sniff. That was the case with Rojas - first season at Victory, poor. Second? We ran out of superlatives. 31 - TOM ROGIC - yes, his stint was brief in the A-League, and yes he disappointed on loan at Victory. But - but - if he fulfils his potential, we’ll look back and say we saw him play in the A-League right at the start. The kid has got so much talent, it’s frightening. Let’s hope he can shrug off his injury problems - for me, he’s the most talented player Australia has produced since the golden generation. 30 - MARK MILLIGAN - when a current Socceroo (and three-times selected for the World Cup squad) opts to stay in the A-League, you know the competition is on the upward trajectory. Once a central defender or even right-back, Millsy has matured into arguably the best deep-lying defensive midfielder in the country, with a superb passing range, and ability to time a tackle. 29 - FRED - not the panel beater at the World Cup in Brazil, but Melbourne Victory’s Brazilian, one of the so-called “Trio from Rio” Not quite as good when he returned with Heart, but his first stint was well worth remembering - he dominated the 2006/07 season, culminating in four Grand Final assists. 28 - PAUL IFILL - was stigmatised as a lower league, injury-prone trundler when he arrived. Now recognised as perhaps Wellington’s best-ever. Could play anywhere along the front line, and scored goals for fun, particularly in the memorable season that took the Nix to within a game of the Grand Final. 27 - JOEL GRIFFITHS - combustible, but on his day a match winner. His 2007/08 season earned him hero status in Newcastle. Should have won more international caps, but his outspoken nature counted against him. Scared linesmen everywhere. 26 - ROBBIE FOWLER - we could scarcely believe the man called “God” by Liverpool fans was coming to the A-League. Provided regular reminders of his top level talent - particularly a precise lob against Sydney FC at the SFS for the Fury before heading over to Perth. Lifted the competitions profile, and he is fondly remembered. 25 - CARLOS HERNANDEZ - when he was on, he was unstoppable - when he was off, he stunk the place out. But Carlos in full flight with that hammer of a right foot? Pure excitement. 24 - STEVE CORICA - not every Socceroo made a success of the return home, but Bimbi was magnificent for Sydney - scoring a Grand Final winner, and only missing out on a double title win in 2010 due to injury. Quality. 23 - EUGENE GALEKOVIC - how has Eugene not won more medals, more caps and earned more money from a move overseas? Only the football gods know. A brilliant shot-stopper, and all round nice guy too. 22 - SERGIO VAN DIJK - one of the sweetest left pegs and most prolific strikers the A-League has ever seen. Amazing that he struggled in his early days - but when he hit his rhythm, he just couldn’t stop scoring for both Adelaide and Brisbane. Still banging them in for Suphanburi in Thailand. 21 - SHINJI ONO - the little genius proved his class with that wonder goal against Brisbane, but he was so much more than that. Adored by Wanderers fans, respected by supporters of all clubs, he was proof that marquees don’t necessarily just have to be box office attractions. 20 - CLINT BOLTON - his era straddled the NSL and A-League, but he won two championships with Sydney, and his reflexes remained strong to the end. Another who was unlucky not to win more international caps. 19 - MAT RYAN - Aussie number one who got an A-League winners medal before heading off overseas, where greater glory surely awaits. A fine shot stopper, agile and with excellent distribution, he is the archetypal modern-day goalkeeper. A clutch of personal awards elevates him up the list. 18 - MATT SMITH - along with Kevin Muscat, the only captain to lift the A-League trophy twice. From the scrapheap in England to full international status with Australia. Cool, calm and collected, Smith is a classy defender, who creates as much as he destroys. 17 - HARRY KEWELL - too high, or too low? As ever, the name Harry Kewell sparks controversy, but there’s no doubt his profile kept people talking about the A-League in his two spells, and the turnstiles clicking. Supremely gifted, but sadly his injury problems prevented us from seeing him at his best. 16 - ERIK PAARTALU - Erik the Viking was one of the key cogs around which Ange Postecoglou built his title-winning team. His equaliser against the Mariners is arguably the A-League’s most iconic moment. Still more to come too hopefully - with Melbourne City. 15 - MITCH NICHOLS - barrel-chested, nuggety midfielder, who had to battle for his spot initially at Brisbane. Once in, his level of performance was terrific for the Roar - and even better (briefly) at Victory, where his touch and energy dovetailed perfectly again with the system employed under Ange Postecoglou. 14 - ANTE COVIC - Australia has many fine keepers, and Ante is in the top bracket. A title winner with Newcastle, player of the season at Victory, and two Grand Finals with the Wanderers - and he’s still going strong at 39. 2 full caps? Ridiculous.... 13 - IVAN FRANJIC - the carpenter from Melbourne must rank as the best injury replacement signing in A-League history! Stepped in for Andy Packer, initially for a short stay - ended up becoming a triple-title winner and a World Cup Socceroo! 12 - DANNY ALLSOPP - in tandem with Thompson, they terrorised defences in the early years of the A-League. The 5th highest goal scorer on the all-time list, he netted nearly 150 during a near twenty year career. 11 - SHANE SMELTZ - now with his fourth A-League club, and has scored twenty plus for each of the previous three. Simply a goal machine, but hasn’t won the club honours his return deserves. Perhaps his move to Sydney will change that? 10 - MATT MCKAY - Mr perpetual motion, who is a cult hero in Brisbane for his part in winning two championships. Along with Massimo Murdocca, the two energiser bunnies ran the opposition ragged for many a year. 9 - MARK BRIDGE - had his ups and downs, but scored in two grand finals, and has played in four for three different clubs. Comfortably in the top ten for goals on the all-time list, and he deserves his high ranking for his overall contribution. 8 - ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO - ability-wise, no-one comes close to the little magician - but while his stay in Australia lifted the profile of the entire league, opinion remains split on whether his presence was good for Sydney FC as a team. But oh...what a joy to watch him dance around defences. 7 - DWIGHT YORKE - the original poster boy of the A-League. Pity he didn’t stay longer, but he lit up the competition in year one, winning the title and the Joe Marston Medal...and he cemented his reputation in the Sydney nightclubs too. 6 - PATRICK ZWAANSWIJK - classy central defender who became the oldest player to score in the grand final as the Mariners finally ended their drought - a fitting end to his excellent stint with the Mariners. What a left foot, and what a football brain - rivals Broich as best pound for pound overseas signing. 5 - MICHAEL THEO - Mr Consistency between the posts. Theo has won more titles than any other A-League player, and holds the Australian record for most minutes without conceding a goal - 876 minutes. 4 - KEVIN MUSCAT - like Besart Berisha, he divides opinion, but no-one can doubt his influence on Victory. Still leading from the front on the sidelines - could he become the first man to win the championship as both player and head coach? His set-to with John Kosmina had people talking about the A-League for weeks. 3 - BESART BERISHA - a phenomenal strike rate, and a temper that makes him the pantomime villain. A headline-writer in every sense. Brisbane’s loss is Victory’s gain - every team needs a goal poacher, and he is the best, with a goals per game ratio that is simply frightening. 2 - ARCHIE THOMPSON - his impish style of play mirrors his bubbly personality. Rightly a folk hero in Melbourne, can we ever forget his five-goal salvo in 2007? Still going strong at 35 too. Legend. 1 - THOMAS BROICH - the best ever? I think so. 3 titles, 2 Johnny Warren Medals, and a lasting legacy of sublime assists, goals, and post-game interviews full of frankness, fun & philosophy. Loves living in Australia - and we love watching him play.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 03:47:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015