GCPL Team of the Decade: Nerang Coach Lee Vernon picks his 11
Nerang Eagles coach Lee Vernon has selected his dream 11 for the Gold Coast Premier League team of the decade. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE WHOLE SERIES
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Considered by many as the Gold Coast Premier League coach of the decade, Lee Vernon has achieved top flight success like none other.
Vernon will go down as one of the most accoladed coaches in Gold Coast history just looking at his tenure during the 10’s alone, relying on a core group of players to achieve sustained success.
Longevity, performance and silverware all played a big role in Vernon’s team of the decade selection criteria so it was no surprise to see a number of former dolphins make the cut.
COAST COACHES’ TEAMS OF THE DECADE
■ Broadbeach’s Andrew Robinson
■ Surfers Paradise’s Alex Morrison
Vernon also wanted to recognise the value of former Broadbeach keeper Kane Swift, who he rated on par with stopper Michael Negrepontis.
KEEPER
Michael Negrepontis (Burleigh/Broadbeach)
“His record speaks for itself. He won six trophies in three years and was also successful at Burleigh before coming over. A great all round keeper.”
DEFENDERS
Leon Bell (Broadbeach)
“He’s quick, fast, aggressive and a stalwart of the club. He’s been around for the whole decade and he’s been successful for the whole decade.”
Adam Evans (Palm Beach/Broadbeach)
“He’s a quality player. He’s composed, he reads the game very well and he played in six straight grand finals.”
Luke Martinero (Burleigh/Broadbeach)
“He’s big, strong and imposing. He reads the game very well.”
Tom Boland (Broadbeach)
“I’m playing him out of position as he’s usually a winger but he’s a very versatile player who is unplayable on his day. He’s a great dribbler and very skilful.”
THE SNIPER: GOLD COAST SPORT GOSSIP
MIDFIELDERS
Justin Watmough (Broadbeach)
“His record speaks for himself but he’s the player of the decade and I’d think most would be in 100 per cent agreeance of that. He has every attribute of a good footballer.”
Tom Neilsen (Palm Beach/Broadbeach)
“He leads by example as a tough, imposing midfielder. He has won loads of trophies and is well respected on the Coast.”
Russell Miner (Broadbeach)
“He has amazing vision, excellent touch and was the scorer of important goals.”
Nori Uchimura (Broadbeach)
“He featured earlier in the decade but Nori had a great left foot and scored loads of goals. He is quick and very difficult to mark. He’s probably more of a striker but could play midfield without complaint.”
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FORWARDS
Shaun Robinson (Southport/Mudgeeraba/Broadbeach)
“He played at a number of clubs and was successful at all of them. He scored important goals year after year. He’s an X-Factor player and has amended his game in recent years but is still a force.”
Matt Hilton (Palm Beach/Surfers/Merrimac/Murwillumbah/Burleigh/Mudgeeraba)
“He will be in every coach’s team. A quality player who scores goals and is extremely hard to mark. He’s a great player and I’d love to coach him!”
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