2014 IGA NPL All-Star Team of the Year
THE ‘3-2-1’ Player Ratings, as judged by Football NSW journalists after 22 rounds, have been tallied and the All-Star Team of the Year has been formed.
The make-up of the 2014 Football NSW Team of the Year is, without doubt, one of the very best in recent memory.
Made up of an exceptionally talented group of footballers, the 2014 All-Star Team of the Year has an abundance of fire power in the front-third, matched with some strong defenders at the back, some creative minds in midfield and of course, a safe and occasionally spectacular goalkeeper.
Let’s have a closer look at the 2014 All-Star Team of the Year.
Matthew Nash (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
Matthew Nash, the 2014 Goalkeeper of the year and Bonnyrigg White Eagles number one has once again stood out for his remarkable consistency. In the face of serious competition from the glovemen at other clubs, Nash rose to the occasion and asserted his authority as this league’s best custodian with a number of emphatic displays.
His performances were enough to earn him a professional Hyundai A-League contract with the Central Coast Mariners, where he hopes to battle for the number one jersey alongside current number one Liam Reddy.
Chris Tadrosse (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
Consistency and reliability are the hallmarks of Chris Tadrosse’s game and it has seen him once again selected as the best left sided defender in the league.
The talented fullback has been a regular fixture in the All Stars XI since its inception in 2008. The 2014 premiership winning captain has barely put a foot wrong this season and is once again the worthy selection on the left side of the back four.
Luka Dukic (Blacktown Spartans)
One of the toughest defenders going around, Blacktown Spartans’ Luka Dukic handled himself well in what was a strong year for the club.
By winning aerial battles and duels against some of the finest attackers in the league, Dukic won himself his first selection in the Team of the Year squad and forms a tough as nails partnership with Blacktown City’s Zac Cairncross.
Zac Carincross (Blacktown City)
Fellow hard man Zac Cairncross, the Blacktown City co-captain, joins Dukic in the heart of the All Star team of the year.
Renowned for playing with his heart on his sleeve, the tough and uncompromising Cairncross commanded the Blacktown City defence tremendously. The leadership role brought a new found maturity to his game and he has led his side with distinction in a fabulous season for Blacktown City.
Brayden Sorge (Sydney Olympic)
The energetic right back Brayden Sorge has been a revelation for Sydney Olympic. His energy and lung-bursting runs down the right flank are married to a strength in the tackle and an assurance on the ball that will surely see him reach higher honours in the not-too-distant future. His all-round game is key to the way Sydney Olympic play and he is one to watch out for down the track.
Kearyn Baccus (Blacktown City)
Kearyn Baccus is Blacktown City’s midfield general and he holds the side together with his clever passing and awareness. The midfield guru is one of the brains of Blacktown City’s attack, and his pin-point balls to striker Travis Major were a feature. Six goals and an ice cool demeanour from the penalty spot are his just rewards and he has been one of the competition’s best in 2014.
Panni Nikas (Sutherland Sharks)
Sutherland Sharks’ man of the moment and entertainment machine Panni Nikas seems to lift every year.
The 2013 Player of the Year award winner was involved in almost every Sharks attack as he bagged 12 goals, never letting his standards slip despite a below-par season for the team on a whole.
With the assurance of midfield partner Nick Stavroulakis behind him, Nikas displayed his amazing ball skills as well as the ability to hit fantastic set pieces.
Still searching for that elusive Hyundai A-League contract, Nikas’ never say die attitude in wanting to be part of the best may hopefully see him play a role with a top tier Australian club very soon.
Brendan Cholakian (Manly United)
A fantastic and enterprising signing since day one, Manly United’s midfield maestro Brendan Cholakian excelled for the Northern Beaches club in 2014.
His close control and touches as well as the ability to play free flowing football made him a great player to watch at Cromer Park this year.
His performances earned him a trial at the Central Coast Mariners this season, and with seven goals to his name, it won’t be too long before we see the skilful midfielder play a part in an A-League setup.
Ryuji Miyazawa (Blacktown City)
One of the best imports ever to grace the state league competition, Japanese born attacker Ryuji Miyazawa went to another level in 2014.
With fellow Japanese stars Go Shirai and Taiga Soeda just missing out on the team, Miyazawa flies the flag for Japan in this All Stars team.
His knack for turning a game on its head with his trickery and skill and his ability to conjure up goals from nothing has helped fire Blacktown City to new heights. With 11 goals this season he will soon be on the radar of the A-League clubs and his partnership with Travis Major was a highlight of the season.
Travis Major (Blacktown City)
It really was Travis Major’s breakthrough year as a player of genuine class. The 2014 Player of the Year award is well and truly deserved for his 14 goals and numerous assists in his first year leading the line.
He has taken to the centre-forward role like a duck to water and his strength and eye for goal have marked him out as something special.
Like his team-mate Cairncross, he has matured with the co-captaincy and Major has become an old head on young shoulders during a whirlwind 2014.
Robbie Younis (Bonnyrigg WE)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles’ "Mr Reliable", Robbie Younis bagged yet another Golden Boot award finishing with 17 goals in 2014. Year after year Younis rocks up and scores goals for fun, whether by foot or by head.
Not many are as proficient as keeping the ball with his back to goal and when he pulled down a long ball in the last minute against Olympic in round 22, it was inevitable that he would score. Such is the measure of the man.
Substitutes
Andrew Bazi (APIA Leichhardt Tigers)
Although the season didn’t end the way he would hope, Andrew Bazi was superb this year in what was a dismal season for the APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Game after game, Bazi pulled out a number of quality saves apart from the odd brain snap that really kept the scores at a minimum and was easily the club’s most consistent player through the course of the season.
Tough year for the Tigers, good year for Bazi.
Evan Kostopoulos (Sydney Olympic)
The Adelaide born attacker was one of the stand-out performers in the first half of the season. Kostopoulos was on fire for Sydney Olympic before his late season transfer to South China.
After moving from South Australia to Sydney, Kostopoulos caught the attention of many IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 fans and quickly became a cult hero at the Blues.
Olympic missed his services towards the end of the year but were appreciative of his performances throughout the course of the season which saw him end up as the team’s leading goalscorer with seven goals.
Paul Reid (Rockdale City Suns)
The rock in Rockdale City Suns’ midfield again, former Hyundai A-League star Paul Reid was in vintage form in 2014.
Reid used his experience to marshall Branko Culina’s relatively young squad, breaking up play and using the ball wisely and economically; rarely did he waste a pass.
Reid has the ability to play on and hopefully he will grace us with his talents again next year.
Corey Biczo (Blacktown Spartans)
"The Hulk" was one of Spartans’ most entertaining players in season 2014.
Scoring ten goals for the year which was a great effort for a midfielder and many of Spartans’ attacking raids came through Biczo who used his quick feet, vision and skill to create nothing into something.
He was definitely one of Ben De Haan’s best players and is a real excitement machine.
Michael Robinson (South Coast Wolves)
Coach Nahuel Arrarte revived the ailing Wolves as they surged up the table to finish seventh, and the experienced Michael Robinson played his part.
The experienced stopper proved a wise head in Arrarte’s side, leading by example with his commanding performances and successful guiding Wolves’ young side to the finish line.
Coach – Mark Crittenden (Blacktown City)
After the disappointment of missing the finals last year, Mark Crittenden vowed to make amends this year and he did just that.
Voted as Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches, Crittenden steered his side to a number of achievements, including a top five finish, Waratah Cup success, Grand Final place as well as managing the squad to the round of 32 in the Westfield FFA Cup.
The modest and affable "Critto" was ably supported by his backroom staff, assistant coach Dean Bertenshaw, manager Graham Crawhall and club stalwart Ken Schembri, who all contributed to a wonderful season for Blacktown City.
All-Star Team of the Year 2014
1. Matthew Nash (Bonnyrigg WE)
2. Chris Tadrosse (Bonnyrigg WE)
3. Luka Dukic (Blacktown Spartans)
4. Zac Cairncross (Blacktown City)
5. Brayden Sorge (Sydney Olympic)
6. Kearyn Baccus (Blacktown City)
7. Panni Nikas (Sutherland Sharks)
8. Brendan Cholakian (Manly United)
9. Ryuji Miyazawa (Blacktown City)
10. Travis Major (Blacktown City)
11. Robbie Younis (Bonnyrigg WE)
Substitutes
12. Andrew Bazi (APIA Leichhardt Tigers)
13. Evan Kostopoulos (Sydney Olympic)
14. Paul Reid (Rockdale City Suns)
15. Corey Biczo (Blacktown Spartans)
16. Michael Robinson (South Coast Wolves)
Coach – Mark Crittenden (Blacktown City)
