Sunday, December 31, 2006

 

A-League: The 2006 Awards

A tragic review of the best and worst of the national competition, in a watershed year for Australian football.

Player of 2006

Consistency has been a problem for so many of the A-League’s nominal stars. David Carney’s 2005/06 performances have not been replicated this season, nor have Shengqing Qu’s. Noel Spencer, such an assured presence in the Mariners midfield throughout last season, has been badly out of touch in 2006/07.

In addition, a few of last season’s standout players have made the move to Europe; otherwise, the likes of Nick Ward and Michael Beauchamp would surely be in with a shot at this award.

Then there are those who have shone in this year’s competition despite making little impact in the inaugural season. Simon Colosimo, Mark Bridge and Danny Allsopp fall into this category.

Call me partisan, but I’m giving the prize to a player who has not only been consistent, but has figured in many (if not most) of the crucial goals scored by his team.

He has provided a desperately-needed spark of creativity to an otherwise prosaic side, and has always been badly missed when injured or suspended.

His name is Steve Corica.

Disappointment of 2006

Expectations are obviously limited for players appearing in a start-up league, and pleasant surprises have certainly outnumbered the disappointments. But there was one player of whom great things were expected on his return from Europe. And he has delivered little.

Having represented Australia at all youth levels, and enjoyed (endured?) spells at a couple of top European clubs, he was expected to make a considerable impact on the A-League. Yet he has been shifted around unhelpfully by his coaches, and, despite his obvious quality, has appeared short of confidence, particularly in the final third.

Here’s to a much better 2007 for Spase Dilevski.

Coach of 2006

Ernie Merrick can certainly make a solid claim to this award after the achievements of his Melbourne side this term. But the gong goes to Lawrie McKinna.

Taking a capable but unspectacular squad, riddled with injuries, to the 2005/06 grand final was impressive enough. In 2006/07, despite the loss of Michael Beauchamp and Dean Heffernan to Europe, an early injury to his key midfielder, and an unpalatable schedule, he has managed to keep the Mariners within striking distance of the top two.

John Kosmina comes into consideration as well, but his ongoing tendency to deploy players out of position, and his dogged attachment to Ross Aloisi, count against him.

Team of 2006

Although they finished 2005/06 with a whimper, it has to be Melbourne Victory.

The re-invention of Kevin Muscat as a midfielder, the skilful versatility of Fred, the speed and re-discovered finishing ability of Danny Allsopp, all these have been hugely impressive. Not to be overlooked, either, are the contributions of Adrian Leijer – surely a future international – and Michael Theoklitos, now rivalling Danny Vukovic, Robert Bajic and Clint Bolton as the competition’s best goalkeeper.

Worst Match of 2006

Has to be New Zealand Knights v. Sydney FC, Round 5 of the 06/07 season.

Utterly dire.

Best Match of 2006

Melbourne Victory v. Adelaide United, Round 8, 06/07.

Already chronicled here.

It’s a little difficult to judge the objective quality of the A-League just yet. The Asian Champions League experience will be very interesting in this regard; if Adelaide and Sydney can put up a good show against some of the continent’s better sides, then, from a broader perspective, we can all be pretty satisfied.

Comments:
Player of the Year: Muscat. The glue that holds it together at Victory. As the season goes on, those 'urges' to get stuck in have disappeared as he sights a league title in reach.

Disappointment of the Year: Carney. Found out as being hopelessly one-footed, and it shows. Even if he was injured, he's been peripheral for one so big-noted. When the call to step-up had been put out there, he has not.

Coach: Ernie Merrick. No contest. Bought well, despite budget limits, has organised, delegated and motivated superbly. 50k cannot be wrong.

Team of 2006: Sydney. Won the first premiership, have had to deal with changes of management, board, poor press, fickle, stupid fans, injuries, suspensions, point's deductions....yet still gone enough to be second. Also, big ups to NZ for beating Farina's mob. I hope they go on to better things.

Worst Match: Yeah, that Sydney - NZ match.

Best Game: AAdelaide v Newcastle
 
sydney won grand final because of dwight yorke please do not equate final series winners with best team 2005 best team adelaide player dwight yorke coach littbarski 2006 melbourne merrick fred best game newcastle melbourne
 
...Player of the Year: Muscat. The glue that holds it together at Victory. As the season goes on, those 'urges' to get stuck in have disappeared as he sights a league title in reach.

Disappointment of the Year: Carney. Found out as being hopelessly one-footed, and it shows. Even if he was injured, he's been peripheral for one so big-noted. When the call to step-up had been put out there, he has not.

Coach: Ernie Merrick. No contest. Bought well, despite budget limits, has organised, delegated and motivated superbly. 50k cannot be wrong....

That's probably what I would've given too...if it were just about this season. ;-)
 
''objective quality'' is that independent of your judgement?
 
...''objective quality'' is that independent of your judgement?...

Care to elaborate?
 
First time commenter, long-time reader.....you do some top stuff Mike.

Disagree with the Melbourne v Adelaide match as your game of the year. MV v Central Coast (the 3-3 game) easily outdid it for excitement's sake imo.
 
what are the criteria of the quality of aleague....refer u to discussion of quality in wikipedia..... your opinion[subjective] is good enough.. its just that progress in ACL by Sydney and Adelaide will not necessarily indicate standard of the aleague I suppose the saying "beauty is in the eye of beholder '' is pertinent. please just cut the objectivity rhetoric and stick to opinions
 
please tell us about the objective quality of MR. Craig Foster .
 
...what are the criteria of the quality of aleague....refer u to discussion of quality in wikipedia..... your opinion[subjective] is good enough.. its just that progress in ACL by Sydney and Adelaide will not necessarily indicate standard of the aleague I suppose the saying "beauty is in the eye of beholder '' is pertinent. please just cut the objectivity rhetoric and stick to opinions...

If anyone can make the slightest bit of sense out of the above, please contact me. TIA.
 
u are the one uwho used the nonsense phrase ''objective quality''
so u explain it.
 
Is this one of your pupils?
 
...Is this one of your pupils?...

I sincerely hope not.
 
"beedie said...
Is this one of your pupils? "


Gold.
 
more the fool me casting pearls before swine
 
Great stuff Mike.

Poor old Spase eh, but is it his fault? He has missed a fair bit of the season through operations and then another injury. He has the potential to be the best midfielder in Australia.

Can't understand why Frank keeps waiting till half time to bring him on. The Buess for Spase was a classic - start with a defensive line-up, concede then more to attack...
 
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