A marquee attitude, if not quite a marquee player

 
Tony Tannous Columnist

By , 15 Dec 2009 Tony Tannous is a Roar Expert

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Newcastle Jets' Fabio Vignaroli (right) congratulates Jin Hyung Song. July 26, 2009. Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets drew 1-1. AAP Image/Paul Miller

Newcastle Jets' Fabio Vignaroli (right) congratulates Jin Hyung Song. July 26, 2009. Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets drew 1-1. AAP Image/Paul Miller

The confirmation yesterday that the Newcastle Jets’ marquee, Fabio Vignaroli, has torn his ACL and may well have played his last game in Australia is a hammer blow to not only the player and the his club, but to the A-League.

In a season that has been notable for the quality of the imports, right across the league, Vignaroli has demonstrated an on-field professionalism and attitude that should be used as a benchmark for all signings.

Even on Sunday, before he twisted his knee in an innocuous incident against the Gold Coast (he had jarred it in a challenge with Steve Panteldis ten minutes earlier), he was at his disruptive best, buzzing around the midfield in the manner of man possessed.

It has been his way throughout the season.

Even when the Jets were down in the dumps a few weeks ago, struggling to get off the foot of the table, it was the Italian who was setting the team’s tempo with his immense workrate, and simple and efficient passing game.

Said to be a creative playmaker upon his arrival, it has been his work as a deep-lying holding midfielder that has caught the eye.

In round 17, in the Jets’ 2-0 win in Adelaide, Vignaroli threatened to become that number ten with a couple of delightful final balls, but in the main it has been his ball-winning and simple use of it that has helped the Jets to play some decent stuff this season.

Indeed, in his 14 A-League games before Sunday, Vignaroli had made 74 effective tackles, over five a game. Impressive figures.

Little doubt some of his defensive work was on the edge, evidenced by his five yellow cards, but he was always in the opposition’s face, looking to disrupt their rhythm and get the ball flowing for the Jets.

There has been a fair bit of debate about whether the Italian fits the billing of a marquee player.

My view is that a marquee player should not only come with Vignaroli’s excellent on-field attitude, but with an extra quality to consistently influence a team in the attacking third and put bums on seats.

But the Italian, along with another excellent import in Michael Bridges, has played a big part in lifting the Jets into its current fourth place.

By setting the right example throughout, Vignaroli and Bridges have demanded this from the rest of the squad, and the result has been a purposeful and upbeat Jets team, building neat momentum ahead of the finals.

Witness the work of Lubjo Milicevic, who has been noticeably quiet, going about his work effectively on the pitch. Witness also the work of the skipper Matt Thompson, who, since signing for the Melbourne Heart, has even increased his output.

What about the work of the two young guns in attack, Labinot Haliti and Sean Rooney, who have been combining beautifully with Bridges and the midfield, and developing all the time.

What about the ongoing attitude of future leader Tarek Elrich, who touched so many with this heartfelt story in the Newcastle Herald last month?

Indeed, everywhere you look there have been massive gains across the Jets roster; Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Jobe Wheelhouse, Jin-Hyung Song, Ben Kantarovski, Adam D’Apuzzo, Neil Young. Even Kaz Patafta has been playing his part.

Undoubtedly Branko Culina and his coaching staff have played a big part in demanding high standards, but there is also little doubt about the influence of the two senior imports.

While Vignaroli won’t be on the field to see out the season, the Jets can still heed his example, with the likes of Wheelhouse and Thompson showing signs they can maintain the standard. The key will be to do it every week.

For a club that has failed on so many occasions to get its marquee option right, Newcastle should at least take comfort in the fact it signed a winner in Vignaroli. Undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

Even if he never again dons the gold of Newcastle, or any other A-League strip, he has done his bit for Australian football, and for that we should all be grateful.

Follow Tony on Twitter @TonyTannousTRBA
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