GCPL Team of the Decade: Broadbeach coach Andrew Robinson picks his 11

Gold Coast football veteran Andrew Robinson was part of an 11-year Broadbeach United dynasty and self-admittedly found it hard to overlook his former teammates. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE WHOLE SERIES

GOLD Coast football veteran Andrew Robinson was part of an 11-year Broadbeach United dynasty and self-admittedly found it hard to overlook his former teammates.

DON’T MISS: Coast football’s team of the decade

From winning the double in 2009 to the 2014 super side which Robinson rates as one of the best the club has fielded, the Dolphin’s have delivered some of the league’s finest talents plus four championships and six grand final wins since 2009.

Robinson only failed to play alongside two of his selected 11 throughout his career, the phrase ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ fitting in the way a number of the leagues finest talents suited up for Broadbeach at some point.

COAST COACHES’ TEAMS OF THE DECADE

■ Southport’s Rob Semple

■ Coomera’s Steve Macdonald

Robinson also couldn’t dismiss the efforts of Andrew Barasic, Lyndon Dykes, Robbie Smith, Philippe Lasm and Matt Hilton who all just missed out on his final side.

Broadbeach United coach Andrew Robinson during his playing days.

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ROBINSON’S TEAM

GK - Michael Negrepontis (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

“It was a hard choice because we had a lot of great keepers who played for us including guys like Kane Swift. But Michael gets the nod for his vision and distribution. He could find just about anyone by foot.”

RB - Tom Boland - (Broadbeach)

“He was a pretty attacking playing and with the formations, he could end up playing wing back as well. I played with him at state league level for a while and his change of speed was exceptional.”

Gold Coast Premier League soccer grand final between Broadbeach and Mudgeeraba, held at Jim Devine Field, Murwillumbah. Mudgeeraba's Matt Harris and Broadbeach's Tom Boland.

CB - Adam Evans - (Palm Beach/Broadbeach)

“He was Mr Terminator. Just a really solid defender who could mark anyone.”

CB - Andrew Robinson (Broadbeach)

“I had to put myself in! I’ve walked the walk and talked the talk but I’d back myself against any of the other names. It was just an honour to be part of that Broadbeach era.”

LB - Ben Harrison - (Broadbeach)

“He could also drop back as a full back but he had great pace getting forward.”

RW - Justin Watmough - (Broadbeach)

“He played a number of positions over the years but he’s more or less a winger and really cemented that role. He was great at getting back and winning the ball. He helped us link up in attack and was a great ball user, causing defenders all sorts of issues.”

Broadbeach United Gold Coast Premier League football (soccer) player Justin Watmough.

CM - Tom Neilsen - (Broadbeach)

“His distribution was great. He circulated the ball really well and made the position his own. He was good at winning the ball back and starting our attacking chains. He could also score from range and that goal he scored in the 2015 grand final was very memorable.”

CM - Troy Ruthven (Murwillumbah/Palm Beach)

“He was really smart in finding space. I came across him in state league around 2011 and then he made his way to Murwillumbah where they used their shape to make sure he had a free run. He caused teams all sorts of issues with his passing and vision.”

Murwillumbah's Troy Ruthven and Knight's Reuben Gailagher (right), in action at the Gold Coast Premier League match between the Gold Coast Knights and Murwillumbah, played at the Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara.

LW - Nori Uchimura (Broadbeach)

“He played a number of positions but was more or less a forward or striker. His goal in the 2009 grand final sticks out and in 2011 when he scored with his head in the final at Merrimac. He was very talented in front of goal.”

ST - Chris Broadfoot - (Broadbeach, Burleigh, Coomera, Gold Coast Knights, Mudgeeraba, Southport, Surfers Paradise)

“The forwards were very hard to pick because we have such an abundance of talented strikers but Chris was amazing to watch. I didn’t get to play with him in his prime, but his movement and awareness of others was second to none.”

Action from the Gold Coast Premier League soccer match between Merrimac (blue) and Murwillumbah (white), held at the Italo-Australian Club, Clear Island Waters. Photo of (L-R) Sami Razak and Luke Morley.

ST - Luke Morley (Murwillumbah)

“I used to really enjoy coming up against him and he’s one of those players you like to test yourself against. I remember one year they had a fair chunk of success and that inspired us to challenge again the next year because there’s nothing like getting beaten. His goal scoring record was phenonomal. In 2009, we were playing against the Knights and we were getting beaten but we needed to better Palm Beach’s result to win the league. He did the damage against Palm Beach and we got too late goals to win the league. 30 a year odd goal scorers are few and far between.”