Who makes our NPL Victoria Team of the Year at the half-way mark of the season?

The NPL Victoria is brimming with star talent and we’ve brought the best performers of the season so far together in an elite XI. See who makes the cut.

Our NPL Victoria half-year Team of the Season.

The half-way mark of the NPL Victoria season has come and gone.

We’ve seen some remarkable performances in the opening 13 rounds, from players across the park.

The likes of Avondale, South Melbourne, Oakleigh Cannons and Melbourne Knights have been standout teams and rightfully dominate our squad.

However, it’s not all about four teams, in fact 10 teams in total are represented.

While 14 game have been played, the team is based on the first half of the campaign and all stats (courtesy of Opta) are correct to that point.

Check out the team below and tell us who was unlucky to miss out.

Javier Lopez in action for South Melbourne. Picture: South Melbourne Facebook

GOALKEEPER

JAVIER LOPEZ (South Melbourne)

The standout gloveman in the NPL, Lopez has conceded just nine goals this season – five fewer than the next best keeper. That number is more impressive when you consider he has made 57 saves, the second most in the competition, giving him an elite save percentage of 85.9 per cent. The reigning Goalkeeper of the Year has kept clean sheets against premiership rivals Avondale and Oakleigh.

DEFENDERS

COREY SEWELL (Melbourne Knights)

Sewell is one of the best attacking full-backs in the NPL. The Knights left-back has created 20 scoring chances, provided three assists and scored two goals to help his club sit fourth on the ladder. Sewell wins 75 per cent of his tackles and has a passing efficiency of 73.4 per cent.

CONNOR HAMPSON (Oakleigh Cannons)

Unbelievably the defender ranks among the top goalscorers in the NPL this season, finding the back of the net five times. Four of those goals have come off his head, highlighting his danger from set pieces. He’s also getting the job done at the back, winning 79 per cent of his tackles and 72 per cent of his duels – ranked third – from 108 attempts, the second most in the top-10 on win percentage.

Marco Jankovic has been a wall for South Melbourne. Picture: Max Hatzoglou

MARCO JANKOVIC (South Melbourne)

Is marshalling the best defence in the NPL. The centre-back is winning 65.8 per cent of his duels, from 114 attempts, and is winning 66.7 per cent of his tackles, forming a brick wall in defence alongside Jake Marshall. Also has a couple of goals to his name, showcasing his ability to impact at both ends.

DAN EDWARDS (Port Melbourne Sharks)

Leads the league in cross attempts with a staggering 62, head-and-shoulders above his rivals. However, only has one assist to his name, which we’re sure he’d like to improve on. Solid at the back as well, winning 68.4 per cent of his duels – ranked sixth in the NPL – from 98 attempts and winning 73.7 per cent of his tackles.

Stefan Zinni is the joint goalscoring leader in the NPL.

MIDFIELDERS

STEFAN ZINNI (Avondale)

The Avengers winger is having a career season with a league-leading eight goals – alongside Pierce Waring – in the opening 13 rounds, add in his three assists and he is the equal-third in the competition for scoreboard impact behind only his teammates Many Aguek and Kristian Trajceski. Zinni has taken the second most shots in the NPL with 48, getting 25 on target, while also creating 16 scoring chances. Has an elite passing efficiency of 81 per cent.

JOE GUEST (Oakleigh)

The NPL’s No.1 creative force. Guest leads the league with 39 chances created and nine assists at the half-way mark of the campaign. Has two goals to his name as well. The Cannons star is passing at 81.9 per cent but has also won 66.7 per cent of his tackles. A wizard from a dead ball, Oakleigh leads the league with 51 per cent conversion from set pieces with 13 from corners and five from indirect free kicks.

Joe Guest has been an assist machine for Oakleigh Cannons.

KRISTIAN TRAJCESKI (Avondale)

With five goals, seven assists, Trajceski is the second most prolific player in the NPL, behind only his teammate Many Aguek. His seven assists ranks second behind Oakleigh’s Joe Guest. The Avengers midfielder has created 23 chances this season and taken just 32 shots, which is a fair conversion rate. Running at a 81 per cent passing efficiency and has been involved in 115 duels, winning 57.4 per cent.

GIAN ALBANO (Melbourne Knights)

Having a terrific year out on the wing with six goals and three assists in the first half of the season. The Knights star has created 29 scoring chances and taken 45 shots. It’s seen him rank him in the top-10 in goals, scoreboard impact, chances created and shots attempted. Albano also leads the league in dribbles. Always a difficult customer to contain whether it’s out wide or in the middle.

Pierce Waring during this time at Melbourne Victory.

FORWARDS

PIERCE WARING (Green Gully)

The leading goalscorer in the NPL with eight goals – but in two fewer games than joint leader Stefan Zinni. Waring was held off the scoresheet in his first two appearances before going on a tear, finding the back of the net in six of the next eight games, including a brace against Port Melbourne and North Geelong. He’s done it every which way too, one penalty, two from outside the box, two with the head, four with the right foot and two with the left.

MANYLUAK AGUEK (Avondale)

The No.1 player in the NPL for total scoreboard impact, Aguek has seven goals – ranked equal second – and seven assists – also second – to top the charts with 14 total score involvements. His hat-trick and two assists against Heidelberg United a clear highlight of the season. Has been pretty efficient given he’s only had 14 shots on target too. Hasn’t started every match but makes an impact when he comes on, scoring three of his goals as a substitute.

Tomas Maricic in action for Hume City. Picture: Hume City Facebook

BENCH

Chris Oldfield (Melbourne Knights): Conceded just 16 goals (ranked fourth), has a save percentage of 73.3 per cent (ranked fifth) and made seven “big chance” saves (ranked fourth) to be one of the form custodians in the competition.

Ayden Brice (Avondale): The hardest man to pass in the NPL with a duel win rate of 73.3 per cent – No.1 in the NPL. Is winning 66.7 per cent of his tackles too. Also is among the league leaders with 1064 touches.

Tomas Maricic (Hume City): Among the league leaders in clearances, headed clearances and duels won, in fact ranks second in duels won with 72.8 per cent. Despite sitting eighth, Hume City has the fourth fewest goals conceded, with Maricic playing a big part.

Jake Marshall (South Melbourne): A dominant force in the air, winning more clearances than just about any other player in the NPL, also handy one-on-one, winning 72.2 per cent of his duels, from 108 attempts.

Josh Hope (Green Gully): The NPL Player of the Month for April, Hope has been sensational for Gully, providing seven goals (ranked third overall) and a pair of assists with 14 shots on target from 26 total. Passing at 81 per cent efficiency and also winning nearly 70 per cent of his tackles.

Cian Cuba (Altona Magic): On the podium for chances created this season with 35 in total but only has four assists to show for it. Quirky stat ... Cuba has created 13 scoring chances for Tommy Semmy, the most of any player for a single teammate, but none have resulted in a goal.

Yitay Towns (Avondale): A wall in either midfield or defence, Towns is one of the busiest players in the NPL, ranking among the best in the league for tackles, duels and duels won, winning 66.7 per cent of his 165 attempts. His versatility is arguably coach Zoran Markovski’s greatest asset.

Grad Damen (Dandenong Thunder): The Dutch import has impressed in his first season at the Thunder and has created 37 scoring chances in his 13 appearances, second only to Joe Guest. Yet somehow he has zero assists. Has scored three goals himself though.

Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic): The Magic young gun made a stunning start to the season, scoring goals in seven of the first eight matches. He’s cooled off since and hasn’t found the back of the net in his last four appearances. Hasn’t got an assist to his name either but has been impressive none-the-less.

Max Mikkola (South Melbourne): One of the most dangerous forwards in the NPL, scoring goals and creating them for his teammates. Has seven goals to his name, ranked equal third, as well as four assists to sit joint third in total score involvements. Heading into Round 13 he had more passes into the box (122) than any other player.