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FINAL REVEAL: Gold Coast football’s team of the decade

THERE has been no shortage of talent to line up in Football Gold Coast’s Premier League in the past decade.

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The Bulletin, with the help of some experts, have named a squad of 14 who deserve to be hailed as the best line-up from 2010-20.

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GOALKEEPERS

TIM WARREN (Merrimac Mudgeeraba, GCK, Surfers)

Mudgeeraba goalkeeper Tim Warren (right) punches the ball away. Picture: Regi Varghese
Mudgeeraba goalkeeper Tim Warren (right) punches the ball away. Picture: Regi Varghese

Warren proved the be the most decorated goalkeeper within the 10s, having success between the sticks in Merrimac’s undefeated 2012 side as well as the 2017 Gold Coast Knights’ premiership.

Throw in multiple grand final appearances across all clubs and Warren’s place is without a question.

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MICHAEL NEGREPONTIS (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

Broadbeach gloveman Michael Negrepontis saves a penalty shot. Picture: Tim Marsden
Broadbeach gloveman Michael Negrepontis saves a penalty shot. Picture: Tim Marsden

The veteran goalkeeper continued his success from the 2000s into the 10s with successful seasons with both Burleigh and Broadbeach, with most of the accolades in the decade falling in his time with the Dolphins.

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DEFENDERS

MATTHEW PEATE (Murwillumbah)

The bruising defender didn’t play the whole decade but when he did, opposition strikers knew they were in for a battle. Always in control and a force at the back, Peate’s performance in Murwillubah’s re-emergence in the PL in 2013 and their multiple finals trips shows why he was one of the best in the 10s.

LUKE MARTINERO (Burleigh/Broadbeach)

Broadbeach United veteran Luke Martinero. Photo by Richard Gosling
Broadbeach United veteran Luke Martinero. Photo by Richard Gosling

Martinero’s career boasts multiple premierships and grand final wins and nothing changed for the 2010s. After moving to the Dolphins towards the early parts of the decade, his success with the Dolphins shows why he would go down as one of the best defenders to ever play on the Gold Coast.

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JEAN-PHILLIPE LASM (Magic/Surfers)

Jean-Philippe Lasm.
Jean-Philippe Lasm.

When a young Lasm appeared at Magic United in the early parts of the decade, it would be hard to believe the success he would have in the PL. With a fantastic stretch with Apollo coupled with multiple Player of the Year awards, the classy defender proved to be one of the best this decade.

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ACIM TOMIC (Surfers, Nerang)

Acim Tomic. Picture Glenn Hampson
Acim Tomic. Picture Glenn Hampson

Having played his early football at Burleigh under Colin Phelan and stints in Melbourne, Tomic was a catalyst in the success of Apollo throughout the 10s. His 2019 stint with Nerang can be forgotten, but for the vast majority of the decade he proved why he is one of the most gifted footballers the Gold Coast has produced.

MIDFIELDERS

JUSTIN WATMOUGH (Broadbeach)

Broadbeach United player Justin Watmough.
Broadbeach United player Justin Watmough.

Watmough in most minds would earn the honours of Player of the Decade in most eyes. His success with the Dolphins on a team level was unquestionable but in the process the silky midfielder picked up multiple MVP awards and in the height of the decade was unplayable.

BRUNO RODRIGUEZ (Merrimac/Surfers)

Mark Inversion (Coomera), Bruno Rodriguez (Surfers). Picture Glenn Hampson
Mark Inversion (Coomera), Bruno Rodriguez (Surfers). Picture Glenn Hampson

Consistency is crucial in any sport and Rodriguez has proved that over the last decade it would be difficult to find a player who had played more games than the midfielder. With success at Merrimac under Keith Garland in the early 10’s followed by a fantastic run with Apollo, the midfielder has shown why being ready to go week in week out is the most important trait.

TOM NEILSEN (Palm Beach/Broadbeach)

Broadbeach's Tom Neilsen.
Broadbeach's Tom Neilsen.

Neilsen was dominant in the holding midfield position for his time in the GCPL before moving to Melbourne towards the latter part. His role in a dominant Broadbeach team was crucial to the success of the team throughout the decade.

WADE RUSSELL (Surfers/Burleigh)

Wade Russell (white). Picture: Richard Gosling
Wade Russell (white). Picture: Richard Gosling

Even towards the latter years of his career, Wade Russell was a crucial part in all the teams he played for. Having success in the 2000’s as a dominant goal scorer, the midfielder has shown the class is permanent and a worthy candidate for team of the decade.

FORWARDS

RUSSELL MINER (Broadbeach)

Broadbeach United player Russell Miner. Picture: Jerad Williams
Broadbeach United player Russell Miner. Picture: Jerad Williams

The most notable presence at the Dolphins during the 10s is definitely Miner. The forward was always a key part in the Dolphins successes during the 10’s and would always be ready for whatever job needed to be done to get the win for his side.

MATT HILTON (Palm Beach/Surfers/Merrimac/Murwillumbah/Burleigh/Mudgeeraba)

Burleigh Heads football player Matt Hilton (left). Picture: East End Digital
Burleigh Heads football player Matt Hilton (left). Picture: East End Digital

Hilton will go down as one of the most dominant scorers in the Premier League.

The forward scored goals no matter what club shirt he put on, with his most notable season coming in the last two years of the decade, taking out MVP honours and scoring titles in both.

SHAUN ROBINSON (Southport/Mudgeeraba/Broadbeach)

Broadbeach player Shaun Robinson celebrates with teammates. Picture: Jerad Williams
Broadbeach player Shaun Robinson celebrates with teammates. Picture: Jerad Williams

When it comes to consistency in scoring look no further than Robinson.

Arguably the forward with the most goals in Premier League history, Robinson has proven that no matter what team he plays for he is a 20-plus goalscorer.

There would be very limited grand finals in the 2010s that would not feature the prolific scorer, with his trophy cabinet filling right up after his time with the Dolphins.

LUKE MORLEY (TVK/Murwillumbah)

Luke Morley (right).
Luke Morley (right).

Morley was the King of the South in his tenure in the Premier League with both TVK and Murwillumbah.

The league regarded him as the most talented and gifted forward during these times, scoring goals for fun in both uniforms and taking out individual honours as well as team honours along the way.

COACH

LEE VERNON (Broadbeach)

Coach Lee Vernon. Picture: Luke Sorensen
Coach Lee Vernon. Picture: Luke Sorensen

The Dolphins head coach for the 10s is without a doubt the Coach of the Decade for his achievements.

Having success over such a long period of time with a strong core of players as well as some rotation when needed, 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.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/football/gold-coast-footballs-team-of-the-decade-coach/news-story/d823b9126f3ca55ec55514ff9f1e9297