The Advertiser’s best soccer stars over the last 10 years

The NPL SA competition has continued to grow over the past 10 years, and we’ve put together who we think are the best players from our local league.

This year’s Sergio Melta medal winner, Adelaide Olympic captain Ricardo Da Silva. Picture: Adam Butler

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They’re picked on their ability to win a football match.

Some of them may not be the best technically or tactically or the most handsome physical specimens seen on the planet.

However, they are men that you would always want by your side in a game of football.

Some are as tough as nails, others had sublime touches that would make the ball sing and others step up many levels when battles became intense.

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They play football for the love of the game although the culture of some proud clubs has decayed to becoming unrecognisable due to mercenaries who wouldn’t know why some of these outfits exist today.

‘Fidelity’ is a rarity in club land as loyalty for some is flashing a credit card for points at the checkout.

We’ll also give you the most outstanding referee, the best club and development outfit, the no. 1 venue and the most brilliant coach of the decade.

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE DECADE

Their last club is listed

Formation: 4-3-3

Raiders keeper Nicholas Munro at The Paddocks in 2019. (AAP Image/ Morgan Sette)

Goalkeeper

Nicholas Munro (Raiders) – How this 26-year-old hasn’t been given an A-League chance after he as part of Adelaide United’s youth system is a mystery. The two-time goalkeeper of the year is just brilliant.

Campbelltown City’s Joel Allwright celebrates the 2019 grand NPL final 3-0 win over Comets with his daughter Arlo. (AAP/Emma Brasier)

Defenders

Joel Allwright (Campbelltown) – A former U-17 Australian international became the greatest wingback, winger, right back of the decade after eight great years at Adelaide City

Lee Robertson (MetroStars) – Played 243 games MetroStars in 10 seasons and won the club champion award six times. A hard centre back that was extremely difficult to get around.

Iain Fyfe (Campbelltown) – He could have chucked the game in when his A-League career was over but instead gave back to grassroots to make the Red Devils a driving force

Matthew Halliday (Olympic) – He spent 15 years with City and was their rock in defence before signing for Olympic. Played in nine grand finals, won two Cup finals and featured when City beat Western Sydney during the 2014 the FFA Cup at Marden.

Adelaide Olympic captain Ricardo Da Silva. Picture: Adam Butler

MIDFIELDERS

Alex Mullen (Campbelltown) – flew beneath the radar but shouldn’t have. A hard working midfielder than gets the job done. That’s why in 2015 he attracted the eye of Socceroos boss Graham Arnold at Sydney.

Allan Welsh (Comets) – A gun midfielder that can also play at centre back. At times he looks far too good for the NPL, had a crack at the A-League with Newcastle Jets. A dual Sergio Melta medal winner.

Ricardo da Silva (Olympic) – The Portuguese is this year’s Sergio Melta medal winner boasting a CV based on skill, clever passing and handy finishing. A true ball magnet.

FFA Cup quarterfinal. Bentleigh Greens vs Adelaide City at Kingston Soccer Complex. Adelaides Nick Budin and Greens Jack Webster compete. Pic: Michael Klein

FORWARDS

Nick Budin (Eastern United) – A loyal Adelaide City servant that has given the local leagues the best he ever had in his armoury. Arguably the most underrated player in this past decade, irreplaceable.

Andreas Wiens (Comets) – An absolute goal machine for most of the decade jagging 81 so far. He scored goals when his teams weren’t so good and when they were very good he was unstoppable.

Rocco Visconte (Raiders) – Won A-League Premiership and Championship with Brisbane Roar and A-League premiership with Western Sydney and SA’s Sergio Melta medal because of his great left boot.

Damian Mori (R) and Joe Mullen tinkling the ivories over breakfast before in the lead up to the 2018 NPL grand final at Hindmarsh. (AAP Image/Dean Martin)

COACH (JOINT)

Joe Mullen (Campbelltown) – for taking the Reds Devils to another level from 2013.

Damian Mori (Adelaide City) – for raising the NPL bar high since 2005

Adelaide City v Western Sydney Wanderers in FFA Cup action at Marden Sports Complex in 2014.

VENUE

Marden Sports Complex – home of Adelaide Blue Eagles – 6000 capacity, plenty of cover and great food and drinks.

Campbelltown captain Iain Fyfe converts a penalty against Melbourne City in the FFA Cup round of 32 3-1 loss this year at Newton.

CLUB

Campbelltown City – Australian NPL champion, four SA NPL championships, two SA NPL premierships.

Hosine Bility a product of the Croydon Kings and now signed by Denmark’s FC Midtjylland.

DEVELOPMENT CLUB

Croydon Kings – For giving ‘unknowns’ that fall through the development system’s cracks a second chance like Adelaide United’s Al Hassan Toure and Hosine Bility now with Denmark’s FC Midtjylland.

REFEREE

David Alberton – One of the few refs that actually knows what it’s like to be a ‘real’ player when he was a member of Adelaide City’s NSL side. Has always had a great ‘feel’ for the game.

West Adelaide’s Kosta Mantis

SPECIAL NPL PLAYER MENTIONS

Michael Matricciani, Valentino Yuel, Christian Esposito, Evan Kounavelis, Domenic Signoriello, Perry Mitris, Kosta Mantis, Chris Annichiarico, Adam Vizzari, Nicholas Bucco, Les Pogliacomi, Daniel Godley, Michael D’Aloisio, Tom Dittmar, Jonathan Fusco, Aaron Goulding, Adam Le Cornu, Dean Kenrick, Johnny Mavromatis, Michael Alexandrou, Thomas Briscoe, Evan Kostopoulos, Elias Vlassis, Anthony Costa, Scott Tunbridge, Jonathan Negus, Elvis Kamsoba, Ian Kamau, Marc Marino, Adam Piscioneri, Shaun McGreevy, Liam Wooding, Oliver Totani.