Who is Australia’s greatest ever Socceroo?
Roar Guru 
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Australian football fans have the tough choice of helping to decide our greatest ever footballer.
At a time when the Australian football family is under-siege with A-League dramas, finally some good, positive debate.
The poll is being run by the Johnny Warren Football Foundation and members of the public can have their say for who should be honoured. Public voting will be combined with the decisions of a judging panel on a 50/50 basis to determine the winners, with voting close on June 22.
The judging panel includes the likes of Les Murray, Andy Harper, Craig Foster, Anthony LaPaglia, George Negus, Moya Dodd, Jack Reilly and Michael Cockerill.
There’s no easy answers among choosing the best Socceroo team ever. It’s very difficult to decide on players when you have never seen them player before, like Marston and Date, and to compare eras. But here’s my two cents, and the reasons for them:
GOALKEEPER:
Mark Schwarzer – Bosnich may have been more talented, and Ron Corry and Jim Fraser have had great careers as both players and coaches, but for me it has to be Mark Schwarzer. His longevity, his remarkably consistent career in the top flight in both England and Germany, and his fantastic Australian debut against Canada in the ’94 World Cup cannot be forgotten. And nor can his penalty saves against Uruguay in 2005.
DEFENDERS:
Joe Marston – A pioneer for Australians playing in England, a long-serving career with the Socceroos and ex-NSW State League and national team coach. Joe has done it all, and he is also a true gentleman and legend of our sport.
Alex Tobin – 87 games for the Socceroos, many as captain, says it all. So does his haul of 522 senior games in Australia, three NSL championships with Adelaide City and the high esteem he is held in, evident of the PFA Medal being named after him.
Peter Wilson – An enigma, Wilson was born in England but moved to Australia at 22. He had a long and prolific career in the NSL and with the Socceroos, with the highlight for the dominant sweeper coming as captain for Australia at the 1974 World Cup.
Lucas Neill – A tough choice between Lucas and Craig Moore, but Lucas just gets the nod. What a captain, a phenomenon at the 2006 World Cup and a proud leader.
MIDFIELDERS:
Johnny Warren – Has anyone ever given more to the beautiful game as a player, coach, ambassador, media pundit or spokesperson in Australia? I don’t think so.
Tim Cahill – This man has carried the Socceroos in recent years. He scores goals for Australia for fun, and has conquered the brutal English Premier League. Such an inspirational figure.
Ned Zelic – Deciding between the immensely talented but injury-prone Paul Okon and the freakish but more temperamental Ned Zelic is near impossible, but Zelic just edges it. What a player, a legend in the Bundesliga and a fantastic Socceroo (though primarily in defence). His goal against Holland in 1991 will live long in the memory.
STRIKERS:
Mark Viduka – You just can’t go past the V-Bomber. A freakish teenager, he wowed crowds in Australia, Croatia, Scotland and England. His goal-scoring record for the Socceroos may not have matched his club feats, but this ignores the fact that often he was a lone soul up front for Australia. Such skill and impressive technique for a big man who could virtually do it all.
Harry Kewell – Another boy wonder turned English Premier League star. ‘H’ cops a lot of criticism but he has delivered for Australia time and time again – against Iran in 1997, against Croatia in 2006 etc etc. He’s still doing the business for the Socceroos (see the recent Saudi Arabia friendly) and had a good debut A-League season with the Victory.
Reg Date – Some might be saying, Reg who? To those I would say, do your research. Date was a goal-scoring machine, a fearsome striker with a ridiculously powerful shot. My recent deceased grandfather told me a story about once seeing Date play, and with one of his goals the goalkeeper ended up in the back of the net with the ball.
Date has been termed as the ‘Bradman of Australian Soccer’ by some, and to his contemporary Joe Marston he the best Australian player he ever played with or against: ”Great player. Great bloke. But boy he could drink. The selectors, they never liked Reggie. He was too much of a larrikin. They couldn’t handle him.”
Date just makes it front of fellow Novocastrian Ray Baartz, perhaps our most skilful Socceroo ever, whose career was tragically cut short in his prime.
Notable mentions go to players like Baartz, Moore, Okon and Frank Farina for missing the cut. Also somewhat surprising that Craig Johnston was left off the nominees list. I will do my picks on the greatest ever coach, Matilda and overall player another time.
More importantly, who would you choose?
There are 72 nominees to choose from, and they have been chosen from a set criteria. For the greatest ever team, it is between
GOALKEEPERS
Ron Lord
Ron Corry
Jim Fraser
Mark Bosnich
Mark Scwharzer
DEFENDERS
George Keith
Doug Utjesenovic
Alan Davidson
Tony Vidmar
Luke Wilkshire
Paul Okon
Joe Marston
Manfred Schaeffer
John Watkiss
Peter Wilson
Charlie Yankos
Milan Ivanovic
Alex Tobin
Ned Zelic
Craig Moore
Lucas Neill
Col Curran
Harry Williams
Jim Tansey
Stan Lazaridis
Scott Chipperfield
MIDFIELDERS
Jimmy Rooney
Johnny Warren
Murray Barnes
Paul Wade
Brett Emerton
Jimmy McKay
Paul Okon
Vince Grella
Josip Skoko
Jason Culina
Ned Zelic
Tim Cahill
Les Scheinflug
Ray Richards
Oscar Crino
Robbie Slater
Mark Bresciano
STRIKERS
Atti Abonyi
Frank Farina
Aurelio Vidmar
Tim Cahill
Adrian Alston
Ray Baartz
John Kosmina
Graham Arnold
Mark Viduka
Branko Buljevic
David Mitchell
Eddie Krncevic
Harry Kewell
John Aloisi
Reg Date
John Watkiss
For the greatest ever coach, it is between:
Joe Vlasits
Rale Rasic
Frank Arok
Eddie Thomson
Terry Venables
Frank Farina
Guus Hiddink
Pim Verbeek
For the greatest ever female player, it is between:
Julie Dolan
Julie Murray
Cheryl Salisbury
Jo Peters
Joanne Millman
Collette McCallum
Alison Foreman
Heather Garriock
Lisa De Vanna
Melissa Barbieri
Who do you choose, Roarers?
Twitter: @johnnydavidson
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April 13th 2012 @ 1:05pm
Johnno said | April 13th 2012 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
H K Kewell. Nothing more needs to be said and no more names, end of story non negotiable.
April 13th 2012 @ 1:30pm
sheek said | April 13th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
John,
I’m not a football expert as such, but based on what I do know of the history of the Socceroos, i like your team.
Schwarzer vs Bosnich is the old Stones vs Beatles argument, isn’t it? In this case the Stones (Schwarzer) wins.
From what iIve read, Ray Baartz was pretty special. He could play attacking midfielder or striker, which means is he directly opposed to Viduka? Or Date, who I don’t really know much about but I’ve read he was pretty good.
I’ve got Johnny Warren’s best XI somewhere at home. It will be interesting to compare it with yours.
Anyway, assuming we leave your XI (well selected I think) untouched, here are my 4 reserves.
goalkeeper; Mark Bosnich
defender: Craig Moore
midfield: Paul Okon
forward: Ray Baartz
Captain is a toss-up between defenders Wilson & Neill, don’t know, maybe Wilson. Rale Rasic is my suggestion for coach, despite Aussie Guus’ achievements. Guus was a shooting comet, passing far too quickly to leave a long-term legacy.
Really good team, I like it a lot…..
April 13th 2012 @ 1:30pm
apaway said | April 13th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
There is a glaring omission in the list and that is the name of Ian Gray. Yes, it is well-known probably to Roar readers that he was a friend of mine but he was a magnificent midfielder or defender, a natural leader, fierce, skilful, tough and one of the game’s great thinkers.
April 13th 2012 @ 1:49pm
Johnno said | April 13th 2012 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Ned Zelic has to be in the starting 11 what a player he was. Goal vs Holland got the Olyroos into the Olympics.
For me sadly Terry Venables, cost us vs Iran , not peter Hoare “Peter pest”
Not palying Milan Ivanovic was ridiculous. EL Tel played our old friend Foz.
Ivanovic was the rock of the soccer’s defence should of played vs Iran.
April 13th 2012 @ 1:50pm
super G said | April 13th 2012 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Have to go with players I saw first hand although I’m sure our past greats would have a say or two.
Bosnich – T. Vidmar – Neill – Ivanovic – Chipperfield ; Bresciano – Zelic – Cahill ; A. Vidmar – Viduka – Kewell. Coach: Hiddink
April 13th 2012 @ 3:02pm
striker said | April 13th 2012 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
Super G thats spot on for me only id put Emerton in there for for Vidmar.
April 13th 2012 @ 2:06pm
apaway said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Mark Schwarzer
Scott Chipperfield
Alex Tobin
Lucas Neil
Stan Lazaridis
Mark Bresciano
Ian Gray
Johnny Warren
Harry Kewell
Mark Viduka
Tim Cahill
Coach: Frank Arok
April 13th 2012 @ 2:07pm
fatboi said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
massive LOL at Pim Verbleak being nominated as greatest coach. someone’s havin’ a larrrffff
April 13th 2012 @ 2:18pm
John Davidson said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
Thanks Sheek, I like your bench picks.
Agreed fatboi, they must have ignored South Africa 2010.
April 13th 2012 @ 2:47pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
My team (prefaced by stating I am not qualified to rate any players prior to 1977, since I have no recollection of individual passages of play)
———Bosnich
Davidson—Ivanovic–Zelic–Chipperfield
Crino——Okon—-Bresciano
Farina—–Viduka—–Kewell
April 13th 2012 @ 2:53pm
Johnno said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Fuss no Lucas Neil, Tim Cahill , an outrage sir. Massive controversy.
April 13th 2012 @ 2:59pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | April 13th 2012 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
I know – I’m embarrassed by that. But, where do you put him? Look at the technical quality of my midfield & strikers – I can’t rate Timmy higher than any of those lads.
April 13th 2012 @ 3:55pm
striker said | April 13th 2012 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
Fuss your kidding timmy has done alot more than crino your kidding mate he killed world cup 2006 for us.
April 13th 2012 @ 6:15pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | April 13th 2012 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
striker
You know me – I take nothing more seriously than analysis of football … heck, I reckon I’ve already spent as much time ruminating over my UCL Fantasy Team as any of the 4 managers, who are actually involved next week!
When choosing my “best ever Aussie playes” I’ve tried to load my team with players – in their correct positions – whom I consider the most technically proficient in the basics of the game: control, 1st touch, passing range, heading, ability to strike the ball, cross the ball, shield the ball.
In my opinion, Timmy has technical deficiencies in many areas – particularly when we compare him with the 6 other lads I’ve picked in my team.
PS: Oscar Crino is my boyhood hero. For me, he was Australia’s Andreas Pirlo. I have no doubt, Crino would have made it in Europe if he had chosen football as his career.
April 14th 2012 @ 11:54am
Evan Askew said | April 14th 2012 @ 11:54am | Report comment
I think he did make it in Europe in Cyprus. Though back then I would have rated the local NSL a better comp than the Cyprus league. Now though with recent runs in the Champions league it is not so cut and dried.
April 13th 2012 @ 4:14pm
Johnno said | April 13th 2012 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
And Fuss no Johnny Warren. Johnny Warren must be in every team picked non negotiable. This is the great man Johnny Warren we are talking about the god father of Australian Football Fuss and striker.
Les and fuss will be devastated by the God father’s omission.
April 13th 2012 @ 4:49pm
j binnie said | April 13th 2012 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Johnno – Having watched most of the players being nominated I would rate Johnny Warren well down the list of midfielders who have graced the Socceroo ranks. That does not mean he was not a good player by our standards but in truth Johnny did far more for the game AFTER he retired from the playing side of the game.What a lot of people don’t realise is that by the time the 1974 World Cup Finals came around Johnny was nearing the end of his career and I would say that despite the injury he incurred in the first game Rasic’s preferred midfield by that time was probably Rooney,Richards and Jimmy Mackay. Since then we have had players like Zelic,Okon, Bresciano and Grella who have all plied their trades in the top leagues of Europe,a height never achieved by any of the ’74 midfielders.
Pre- ’74 ,and back nearer JW’s prime career time, the best midfielder I saw playing was Ray Baartz who was a tremendous “strike” part of any team he played for.jb
April 13th 2012 @ 6:19pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | April 13th 2012 @ 6:19pm | Report comment
Johnno
I was too young to appreciate Johnny Warren’s football prowess, or any of the lads who played prior to 1977.
Whilst I recall watching WC1974, I only remember the games & results. I cannot reconstruct any individual passages of play or recall episode of “individual brilliance” … to use the words of my team’s sweeper!
I’m glad jb and a few others have provided us with their expert opinion on the lads, who were our Aussie football legends in the 60s & early 70s.
April 14th 2012 @ 8:02am
jbinnie said | April 14th 2012 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Thanks Fuss. There are many wonderful tales about the part-time ’74 Socceroos, for instance Manfred Schaeffer being a milkman , playing against his native German super stars (the eventual winners) but none is more “way out” than the background of defensive midfielder Ray Richards.
Ray arrived in Australia to play with a Qld team called Latrobe around 1963/64 his preferred position being that of goalkeeper.Having watched the then club goalkeeper Horrie Clarke perform, and, being a young lad quick on his feet,Ray quickly became a central attacker where his body strength and shooting power made him an instant success as a leading goalscorer.When he moved to Sydney he was not an instant success until he teamed up with Rasic who saw a huge potential in him as a defensive midfielder.Ray went on to make this position his own in the Socceroo teams of the time his personal “Everest” being when facing Santos in a sell -out game in Sydney he is reported to have “marked” the great Pele out of the game.
From Brisbane’s first playboy “super star”, (he drove a “gull wing” Mercedes sports car) to the blotting out of Pele and the World Cup finals in 74 in 11 years, the story is the stuff of which dreams are made. jb
April 13th 2012 @ 4:28pm
The Cattery said | April 13th 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
This is my socceroos team, with the one qualifier – I am using only those players who have turned out for the A-League on at least one occassion (3-5-2):
__________________Bozza
__________________Zelic
____________Moore_____Poppa
Emo______________Okon_________McKay
____________Skoko_____Corica
____________Aloisi______Kewell