Looking back on the 2011 Victorian Premier League season I started thinking of an all star team to acknowledge the best performed players this season. No doubt a few supporters in cafes around Melbourne have tried to perform this task and vigorous debate always eventuates when teams are discussed. I will try a 4-4-2 for this exercise starting with Griffin Mc Master as the goalkeeper.
Awarded Goalkeeper of the season at the FFV awards, the Queenslander had an incredible season with Heidelberg United, but unfortunately he broke his leg in the latter part of the season. His sharpness, shot stopping and commandment of the penalty box was at an elite level and it was poor luck with injury as Melbourne Heart was interested in hiring his services.
At right back, Englishman Tom Matthews made a name for himself very quickly at Bentleigh Greens before moving to South Melbourne FC in the May transfer window. Experienced, calm on the ball with an eye to attack, he is a classy right back who would fit into any team in Australia with ease. My two central defenders are also from the United Kingdom – Dandenong Thunder’s Steve Gray and Green Gully’s Daniel Jones.
These two offer strong leadership, experience, strength in the air and a will to win that is required in all great teams. At left back Oakleigh Cannon’s Ante Cicak developed as the season progressed into a fine performer. The former AIS and Hadjuk Split graduate showed an ability to defend and attack and was a key member in the club’s successful run into the Grand Final. In the mid field let us start in the central areas with Bentleigh Green’s Wayne Wallace at defensive mid field and VPL Player of the Year Glen Trifiro playing alongside him in a more creative role. Wallace, another UK import, is an outstanding player and leader. His performance at Bentleigh Greens when players were leaving post Andy O Dell departure was outstanding. He led with distinction, strong and dominant in the middle of the park he commanded respect from all competitors he played against.
In contrast to Wallace Glen Trifiro is a player from a bygone era who entertains the romantics with his graceful style on the ball. He rarely loses possession and his ability to offer a defence-splitting pass made him a potent and deadly weapon for Northcote City this year. His loss to NSW was our league’s gain. Left midfield is wrapped up by the New Zealand flyer Ryan De Vries who was a revelation in the second half of the season.
The South African native teenager was exciting supporters with his ability to glide past players, create and score goals and in a short space of time became a star in the VPL. De Vries became a deadly match winner scoring over goals at will, collecting the ball deep in mid field and running at defences.
At right mid field I could not go past Jason Trifiro, the brother of Glen, who came as a package from NSW to Northcote City. It was no coincidence that when Jason injured his foot in the middle of the season Northcote City’s form dropped as his understanding with his brother was telepathic. His aggressive runs and all round ability to defend and attack make him a valuable player in any side. Up front I would go for the consistently brilliant second striker Richard Cardoso who again was prolific at Hume City scoring an amazing 20 goals. His ability to score goals by timing his runs into the box was exceptional and this player has consistently performed at this level for several years now.
The target man striker position has to go to Trent Rixon, the best striker in the league in the past two years. Rixon’s ability to shoot with both feet, compete in the air due to his height, hold the ball up for mid fielders and his pace make him the complete striker at this level. He was prolific in front of goals scoring 16 goals over the season and would have scored more if not for injury and suspension.
The coach of the team would be led by VPL Coach of the year Arthur Papas who performed an amazing role at Oakleigh Cannons taking them to the final for the first time in their history.