In what has been the best season in terms of the quality of football played, we have been spoiled as A-League fans this year.
Soon enough the PFA and several other organisations will put out their team of the season.
In my infinite wisdom here is my summation of who should feature in the first XI.
Formation
There are plenty of debates to be had over the best formation, success has been found with 4-5-1 and 4-3-3. I’m going to throw up a 4-3-3 on this occasion, apologies to the midfielders who will miss out as a result.
Goalkeeper
Thomas Sorenson (City)
Between the sticks there have been some strong performers, but for the first time in the history of the A-League the best goalkeeper has been a foreign player.
Despite being 39, the Dane’s athleticism saved his team time and time again.
Defence
Left back – Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)
The Adelaide local has been excellent down the left-side this year and has plenty of versatility as he can push forward to play as winger, something every coach loves.
Centre backs – Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Del Pierre (Wanderers)
The pair have been solid as a rock and probably the best central defensive pairing. It would be nice for the Wanderers to keep the pair, but rumours say Topor-Stanley is off to China at season’s end.
Right back – Josh Risdon (Perth Glory)
Risdon has been phenomenal with Perth this year, getting a Socceroos call-up and five assists along the way. The best bit? He’s staying for at least another year with Perth as he signed a contract extension.
Midfield
Central midfielders – Isaiais (Adelaide United) and Corona (Brisbane Roar)
This combo were essential in setting up attacks and doing a lot of engine room work for their team’s this year.
Corona lead the league with passes and Isaiais had the most successful deliveries into the final third. While not always seen, these two did plenty to get their club’s into the finals.
Centre attacking midfield- Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
He’s been the best Australian player this year and has broken the competition record for assists in a season from any player. It will be interesting to see where he goes to in Europe, here’s hoping it’s the right move.
Attack
Left-wing – Diego Castro (Perth Glory)
The theme this year has a distinct Spanish flavour. There’s a few in the starting line-up, but the one who deserves to be here most of all is Diego Castro.
Without him Perth are a shadow of the team they can be. The veteran took time to get going, but when he did, he was magnificent, moving freely among the forward line causing trouble for defenders across the league.
Striker – Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne City)
When you score 25 goals in the A-League and another three in the cup you’ve played bloody well. I could go on for hours about El Tuna, but here’s what is most important. Melbourne City please make sure he stays!
Right-wing – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
There have been times where Barbarouses could have done more for his team, but the entire Victory squad is guilty of that. The New-Zealand international has done enough to show that he is quality, immense quality in fact.
Who knows what he will do next season across the ditch?
Substitutes
There are a few more names I could throw onto this list, though these players were also standouts for their club.
Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide Untied)
Scott Jamieson (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Dylan McGowan (Adelaide United)
Mitch Nichols (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar)
I’m sure I’ve offended a few fans, with Central Coast, Newcastle, Sydney and the ‘Nix all getting snubbed. Go on then, tell me who your team of the season is!
marcel
Guest
No room for Matt Simon?
AZ_RBB
Guest
I would probably have Eugene in goals. Alberto over NTS Castelen over Kosta
Kaks
Roar Guru
I understand it is a matter of personal opinion, and you are entitled to your opinion, however I can only remember one, maybe two games where Sorenson got a result or kept his team in the game - the melbourne derby being one of them. If anything, Birighitti did more for Newcastle than Sorenson did - he kept his team in multiple games all on his own more often than Sorenson did. And some of his saves were incredible for any keeper, not just a keeper in the A-league. However that still pales in comparison to what Galekovic did. He made difficult saves seem easy, kept multiple clean sheets, and has the best record of all goalkeepers in the league this season. The fact that he has conceded 12 goals - the same number of clean sheets he has kept - in 21 games is extraordinary. It is also worth mentioning that Galekovic was out injured for a large portion of their horrid run at the start of the season. I dont think it's a coincidence that they turned things around once he returned.
Myles Houlbrook-Walk
Roar Pro
Here's where I think the stats fail to tell the story of who was the goalkeeper of the season. Sorenson literally saved Melbourne City on multiple occasions and was probably their best player in the defensive third of the field. You may remember the second Melbourne derby this year or the earlier match when Sydney and City played out a draw. In both of these games Sorenson stopped certain goals and I can only remember one howler he had, which was in the game against Victory they drew 2-2. Galekovic is a great keeper and second-best IMO, but can't say that he saved Adelaide with his on-field performances, whereas Sorenson did seem to.
Martha
Guest
I thought the A league had plateaued a month ago,,,now its the best yet. Reminds me of the Channel Nine State of Origin broadcasters who always proclaim this is the best SOO game ever after every game - the hyperbole meter is broken.
Myles Houlbrook-Walk
Roar Pro
*CORRECTION, Del Pierre definitely plays for Melbourne Victory I forgot to change that to Alberto Aguilar before sending in.
Sam
Guest
Broich's form all season has been atrocious. Imo his least impact-full season to date.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Personally, I dont think you can look past these stats - no matter how bad the defence in front of the keeper was. Sorenson; Games played: 27 Goals Conceded: 44 Clean Sheets: 4 Galekovic; Games Played: 21 Goals Conceded: 12 Clean Sheets: 12 That is remarkable by Galekovic, it has partly to do with the Adelaide defence - but it is easy to forget that he is part of that defence and organises the wall in front of him. In fact, Birighitti - who arguably had a worse defence infront of him than Sorenson did - conceded less goals and had the same number of clean sheets as Sorenson. Birighitti; Games Played: 26 Goals Conceded: 40 Clean Sheets: 4 I would personally say that the pecking order of the best goalkeepers in the league is as follows; 1. Galekovic 2. Birighitti 3. Sorenson
Kaks
Roar Guru
Well... the A-league all stars were based on who was more popular, not who was the better player, so I'm kind of glad that it is dead and buried!
marron
Guest
Rip the a league allstars eh kaks...
Cameron
Roar Guru
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Sorenson make more saves than any other keeper this season? That would indicate he's a top quality keeper but has a defence that is lacking cohesion or quality. Galekovic on the other hand is also a top quality keeper but he had the best defence in front of him, again correct me if I'm wrong. It's always hard to assess and determine who the better player is for a season when there are many factors to consider.
Dave
Guest
Given that Delpierre played for Melbourne Victory and has now retired, it would very interesting if the Wanderers managed to keep the pair together.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Sorenson instead of Galekovic? I'm sorry, but Galekovic is head and shoulders above every keeper in the league. The amount of clean sheets he kept this season is testament to that. Hard to argue with the rest of your selections. Imagine if we were able to see this team play a game or two together?
144
Roar Guru
No Harry Novillo... hmmm
Denny
Guest
Would have had Thomas Broich in there somewhere, particularly his form leading into the finals, scoring his goals of the season. Also McGowan instead of NTS as Punter as said. However still a solid side, well selected.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Hard to argue with your team. Well thought out.
Punter
Guest
I thought Del Pierre played for Melbourne victory. Hard to argue on the first team, maybe McGowan ahead of NTS. I'd have Geria ahead of Jamison as a bench player.