GCPL Team of the Decade: Burleigh coach Colin Phelan picks his 11

When reigning double winning Burleigh Coach Colin Phelan speaks, the Gold Coast football community listens.

WHEN reigning double winning Burleigh Coach Colin Phelan speaks, the Gold Coast football community listens.

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

And ‘Phelo’ reckons he could have easily picked three Gold Coast football Team of the Decades such is the quality of players he’s seen during his time at the helm of various Coast outfits.

COAST COACHES’ TEAMS OF THE DECADE

■ Southport’s Rob Semple

■ Coomera’s Steve Macdonald

■ Broadbeach’s Andrew Robinson

■ Palm Beach’s Brett Budwee

■ Surfers Paradise’s Alex Morrison

■ Nerang’s Lee Vernon

■ Robina’s Nathan Mulhearn

Above all, Phelan selected his team based on consistency and players who performed week in week out to produce a well-balanced side.

It wasn’t easy and Phelan expressed remorse at snubbing some league favourites, but the quality of his starting 11 is unquestionable and includes a number of players who he either played with or coached.

Burleigh Heads football (soccer) coach Colin Phelan. Picture: East End Digital

GOALKEEPER

Michael Negrepontis - (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

“Negsy played for me for a little while before having a lot of success at Broadbeach but he’s obviously a very good keeper and very consistent. He’s exceptional with his feet as well.”

Gold Coast Premier League grand final between Broadbeach United and Gold Coast Knights at Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday. Gold Coast Knights' Andrew Barisic and Broadbeach United's goal keeper Michael Negrepontis . Picture: Jerad Williams

DEFENDERS

Luke Martinero - (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

“He’s similar to Negsy and obviously played at Burleigh before having a lot of success at Broadbeach. He is Mr Consistent and rarely put a foot wrong.”

Oskar Dillon (Gold Coast Knights)

“He was only on the Coast briefly when I saw him but was obviously a star for the Knights and has cracked the A-League now which shows his quality.”

Tyler Wagstaffe (Magic/United/Palm Beach)

“He’s a young player but I had the chance to coach him and he’s a really good athlete. He was great at getting his crosses in so he got the nod in there.”

Soccer match played at Carrara . Magic United Player No2 Tyler Wagstaffe Mudgeeraba player No3 Ben Yates Picture Mike Batterham

Ben Harrison (Broadbeach/Burleigh)

“He played for me for three years at Burleigh and played in three grand finals as a teenager so he gained a fair bit of experience as a young lad before going down to Melbourne. He came back to Broadbeach and was obviously a good defender who can come inside and play centre back as well and impacts forward.”

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MIDFIELDERS

Steve Fitzsimmons (United/Burleigh)

“We were fortunate to sign him when United folded but I’ve been friends with Fitzy for a long time and he was a good player for Burleigh. He brought a lot of experience to the side straight from the A-League. He’s technically excellent.”

Justin Watmough - (Broadbeach)

“Whenever he played for Broadbeach, he’s been excellent. For the last decade or whatever it’s been, he’s been at the centre of everything for them. When he plays, the team plays well and he runs the game.”

Wade Russell (Surfers/Burleigh)

“He was my captain at Burleigh for a while. He set an example. I used to say to the young lads, when they came to training, just watch how Wade goes about it. He scored a lot of goals from the midfield and handled himself well on and off the field. His actions speak volumes.”

Con Boutsianis (Burleigh)

“He has a wealth of experience at the highest level playing around the world in Greece and also the A-League with Perth Glory. He was unbelievable. Technically, he was as good as anyone. He scored you eight to ten free kicks a season. He was technically as gifted as they came. He could open up a can of beans with his left foot.”

Con Boutsianis is tackled by Dan Roitman 13 (left) and Tolga Yorulmaz 12 (right) at training at Burleigh soccer club. Reporter: Dominic Burke

STRIKERS

Lyndon Dykes (Mudgeeraba/Merrimac/Surfers Paradise)

“He was excellent for a few years on the Coast and a great all round athlete who could drop off and play all over. Above all, he was an out an out striker. He was good in the air. He’s a professional footballer now in Scotland and has quite a few clubs interested in signing him.”

Burleigh Heads captain Matt Hilton celebrates his opening goal in the 2019 Gold Coast Premier League grand final against Surfers Paradise. Picture: Ryan Kazmer/East End Digital

Matt Hilton (Palm Beach/Surfers/Merrimac/Murwillumbah/Burleigh/Mudgeeraba)

“He was the leading goal scorer last year. I’ve worked with a lot of quality strikers as a coach but Matt is a greater finisher, is great in the air and is an out and out goal scorer. You’re guaranteed double figures every year from him but he’s matured over the years and has also been captain of Burleigh. He takes on a lot of responsibility and probably brings more to the pack now. Also a very brave player.”