GCPL Team of the Decade: Southport coach Rob Semple picks his 11

Southport Warriors coach Rob Semple has selected his dream 11 for the Gold Coast Premier League team of the decade. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE WHOLE SERIES

Southport Warriors coach Rob Semple has selected his dream 11 for the Gold Coast Premier League team of the decade.

Leadership, explosiveness and skill all formed part of the decision making process while Semple gave the nod to three current and former Warriors.

GOLD COAST FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE DECADE

The Coast One league winning coach also highlighted the depth of Gold Coast Football talent, having to leave a number of match winners out due to positional clashes.

Southport Gold Coast Premier League football (soccer) coach Rob Semple. Picture: East End Digital

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SEMPLE’S TEAM

1. Andreas Eikum (Southport)

“Only 12 months on the Coast but is part of Southport folklore due to his heroics in the 2011 Grand Final.”

2. Connor Simpson (Gold Coast Knights/Broadbeach)

“Exceptional fullback for Broadbeach now plying his trade with Logan in the QPL.”

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3. Ben Harrison (Broadbeach)

“Explosive fullback with a great engine.”

4. Oskar Dillon (Gold Coast Knights)

“Don’t know too much about Oskar but you don’t earn a move to the A-League unless you have the quality.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Oskar Dillon of the Knights looks on during the NPL Queensland Grand Final match between the Gold Coast Knights and Olympic FC at Perry Park on September 15, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

5. Luke Martinero (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

“Quite simply if the Gold Coast has a hall of fame, Luke would be an inductee.”

6. Wade Russell - Captain (Surfers/Burleigh)

“As with Luke, Wade will be in most coaches Top 11. Talented footballer who guided teams around the field.”

7. Lyndon Dykes (Mudgeeraba, Merrimac, Surfers Paradise)

“Scored a hat trick against us in the BLK cup and you could easily see he was destined for greater things.”

FFA Cup regional qualifier, Surfers Paradise Apollo (white) vs. South West Queensland Thunder. Photo of Lyndon Dykes (white) and Rowan Salomon. Photo: Richard Gosling

8. Justin Watmough (Broadbeach)

“Could ghost past players as if they weren’t even there, superb athlete.”

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

“Easily the best striker to play on the Gold Coast consistently in the last 10 years.”

10. Morgan Saunders (Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast Knights, Southport)

“Has won silverware with every club he has played for. Exceptional talent and humble with it. Still only young and the best is yet to come.”

Southport Gold Coast Premier League football (soccer) player Morgan Saunders. Picture: East End Digital

11. Shaun Robinson (Southport/Mudgeeraba/Broadbeach)

“If there was five mins to go in a Grand Final and you created two chances Shaun or Matt is who you would want on the end of them. Never had the opportunity to work with Shaun but have seen enough of him to merit his position in this team.”