As we pass the half-way mark of the season, who are the NPL’s leading players?
As the NPL Victoria season passes the half-way mark, we look at the leading lights of the competition and attempt to pick a star-studded Best XI. Here’s our team.
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We’ve reached the half-way mark of the NPL Victoria season.
Who are the top players standing out most for their club?
We’ve compiled a Team of the Year so far in a 4-4-1-1 – our preferred formation on Football Manager.
But in all seriousness, this side is stacked and the talent that is missing out is a fair indication of the star quality on show in the competition.
Ladder-leader South Melbourne has five players selected, while fellow high-flyers Heidelberg United, Hume City and Oakleigh Cannons all have three.
Check out the team below.
GOALKEEPER
Yaren Sozer (Heidelberg United)
Takes the No.1 guernsey as the general of the NPL’s stingiest defence. The Warriors have conceded just nine goals in 13 matches this season with Sozer keeping a league-leading seven clean sheets. The Central Coast Mariners A-League championship winner has been an inspired bit of recruiting so far.
DEFENDERS
Jordan Lampard (South Melbourne)
Already a star of the competition during his time at Green Gully but Lampard has been particularly impressive this season having crossed to Hellas. Solid in defence but also capable of joining in on offence and providing width and a dangerous cross to South’s tall timber.
Ben Collins (Heidelberg United)
Teamed back up with old Western United coach John Anastasiadis at Olympic Village and has been a rock in defence alongside Ajdin Fetahagic. Has scored two goals but perhaps most importantly, hasn’t received a single card this season.
Jake Marshall (South Melbourne)
The reigning NPL Gold Medallist continues to shine in the South Melbourne backline. Hellas has conceded just 11 goals and kept six clean sheets and the towering centre-back is a major factor. Has one goal and zero cards this season.
Emlyn Wellsmore (Oakleigh Cannons)
The attacking full-back has taken another step forward this season, mixing defence with offence. Scored one of the goals of the season in Round 13 against Hume City to highlight his sublime technique.
MIDFIELDERS
Stef Zinni (Avondale)
The spark in Avondale’s powerful attack, if Zinni isn’t finishing off a slashing counter-attack, he’s likely setting it up. Dangerous anywhere on the park but has continued his prolific form in front of goals with eight so far this season, equal third most in the comp.
Cian Cuba (Avondale)
After a turbulent off-season, Cuba has settled in seamlessly to the Avondale midfield. Has set up a glut of chances for his teammates and also netted four goals himself as the Avengers continued to be the NPL’s No.1 offence.
Joe Guest (Oakleigh Cannons)
Arguably the No.1 midfielder in the NPL. Guest is capable of cutting out opposition attacks and then pushing forward to slice open defences with precise passes. Also has six goals himself and figures to be a key part of Oakleigh’s silverware push.
Aamir Abdullah (Hume City)
A revelation this season at Hume City. Abdullah has caught the eye with some sensational goals, cutting in off the right and curling the ball home with his left foot. The Estonia league title-winner has eight goals this season – equal third most – and was named NPL Player of the Month for March.
FORWARDS
Lloyd Isgrove (Hume City)
Our call for recruit of the year so far. The Welsh international has delivered in spades for Hume City with eight goals and plenty more chances created. Scored what is sure to be Goal of the Year in Round 2 on his way to February’s NPL Player of the Month.
Harrison Sawyer (South Melbourne)
The NPL leading goalscorer is an obvious choice to lead the line. The Hellas skipper has 12 goals this season but is just as important to South’s gameplan with his ability to lead up, hold the ball and distribute to teammates or win a free-kick.
BENCH
Javi Lopez (South Melbourne)
The two-time reigning NPL Goalkeeper of the Year continues to be a wall in goal for South Melbourne. However, so far at least, he’s been usurped by Sozer. Hasn’t played every game this season but Hellas still has the second best defence in the competition.
Alex Salmon (Oakleigh Cannons)
One of the most under-rated strikers in the competition but he’s certainly shining brightly so far this season with nine goals – second most in the competition. Has scored in seven of his 13 appearances, which gets him a spot ahead of the likes of Kaine Sheppard.
Leo Mazis (Heidelberg United)
While Kaine Sheppard and Josh Pin have been banging in the goals, there’s a good chance Mazis has been the supplier. The winger has impressed at Olympic Village this season but, if the Warriors are to win silverware, could hit the scoreboard more often.
Chris Theodorakopoulos (Manningham United)
Has been an ever-present danger for opposition. The Blues forward has six goals this season and set up a few more. Despite Manningham sitting 12th, the club has the seventh most goals in the NPL with Theodorakopoulos and strike partner Ben Everson a big reason.
Tom Giannakopoulos (Dandenong City)
The City young gun brings versatility with his ability to play central defence or midfield. Has been super for City so far this season, helping the promotion-winning club sit on the edge of finals at the half-way mark of the season. Also has three goals to his name.
Nahuel Bonada (South Melbourne)
Capable of playing central or wide, we’re using Bonada in the middle as an attacking midfielder who can create or push forward to hit the back of the net himself. Has certainly done that in his first campaign at South Melbourne, scoring eight goals.
Harry Ascroft (Hume City)
One of the top defenders in the competition and has solidified Hume City’s back four considerably. The club has conceded just 14 goals this season – two of which came on the weekend – the fourth fewest in the NPL.
Ivan Franjic (Melbourne Knights)
The former Socceroo remains a star of the NPL Victoria and has added coach to his playing duties at Melbourne Knights. When his team needed him the most, put in a blistering performance to inspire a much-needed victory over Dandenong Thunder in Round 12.
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