FB Media Team of the Year
Well the 2016 season is nearly over and Grand Finals are set to be played this weekend.
Each year the FB Media team chip in with their thoughts and selections for the Flight Centre Premier League Team of the Year.
Selecting a team of the year is an impossible task because no one can get out and see every game, but with a good network, it’s not too hard to come up with a fair assessment. So, without fear or favour, here are my selections. Scroll down the page to see who the rest of the FB Media team selected. There's some interesting selections and of course, some popular ones. Team Of The Year 2016
(according to Phil) GK: Brandon CUMINAO (Rochedale Rovers)
Vastly under-rated and capable of the spectacular, the athletic youngster had a huge impact at Rovers. Their problems between the sticks are resolved. RB: Phil DAVIES (Rochedale Rovers)*
With a unique attacking style and the ability to beat anyone, Davies is much more than a wide defender. When the ball is at his feet, good things happen for the players around him. CB: Adjin FETAHAGIC (Lions FC)
A late injury inclusion, Fetahagic showed why he was highly rated in the Brisbane Roar system. You can’t teach composure and it’s his greatest asset even at a young age. CB: Matt BOYD (vc) (Eastern Suburbs)
Often in the shadows of his centre back partner Matt Ryan, Boyd was consistently Easts best player. No one is more dangerous when pushing up for a set-piece. LB: Dan SMITH (c) (Holland Park Hawks)*
Smith is the driving force behind Hawks’ rotating backline. When the moment calls for direct attack, he has the most devastating long pass in the league. No-one strikes a better corner kick. RM: Dean BRIGGS (Holland Park Hawks)*
Tight control and split-second decision making gives Briggs a perception of having more time on the ball than anyone else. It’s the mark of an excellent midfielder. He’s lethal in and around the box. CM: Marco JANKOVIC (Lions FC)
Everything Jankovic does looks classy. Brilliant in the air, excellent on the ground and relentless in the tackle, Lions owe a sizeable chunk of their Championship trophy to him. LM: Ahamad AZZAWI (Capalaba)*
Speedy and supremely talented, Azzawi turned up out of nowhere and set about producing spectacular goals and performances and the Japanese striker was a worthy gold medal recipient. RF: Michael BUTTERS (Lions FC)
Last season he played mostly at left back so it was terrific to see him re-shuffled back into his natural striking role. The best finisher in the league and at times impossible to mark. CF: Ben NJIE (Mitchelton)*
The new striking king of the block, Njie is a natural athlete and arguably the best footballer in the league. Despite running rings around almost everyone, you can’t help but feel that the best is still in front of him. LF: Nathan SHEPHERD (Lions FC)*
Shepherd played the majority of the season as an attacking wing back but comes into this team up front where he is equally devastating. Best passer; hardest shot.
COACH: Warren MOON (Lions FC) SUB: Jason SHADE (Mitchelton) SUB: Uryu NAGATA (Rochedale Rovers)* SUB: Jared AUSTIN (Peninsula Power) SUB: Carter GLOCKNER (Eastern Suburbs) SUB: Tom CARROLL (Eastern Suburbs) * = denotes import/visa player
The Others:
Rafe Griffin - Commentator: GK: Kevin Downes (Mitchelton) RB: Phil Davies (Rochedale Rovers) CB: Adjin Fetahagic (Lions FC) CB: Nathan Reardon (Lions FC) LB: Dan Smith (Holland Park Hawks) RM: Sam Roper (Holland Park Hawks) CM: Gabriel Sarasol (Mitchelton) LM: Nathan Shepherd (Lions FC) RF: Ahamad Azzawi (Capalaba) CF: Marek Madle (Holland Park Hawks) LF: Greg Cheshire (Rochedale Rovers) Coach: Geoff Hurford (Capalaba)
Ian Judd - Editor: GK: Phil Zabaks (Lions FC) RB: Phil Davies (Rochedale Rovers) CB: Nathan Reardon (Lions FC) CB: Kenny Boyle (Holland Park Hawks) LB: Dan Smith (Holland Park Hawks) CDM: Sam Roper (Holland Park Hawks) RM: Michael Butters (Lions FC) CM: Lewis Cameron (Rochedale Rovers) LM: Nathan Shepherd (Lions FC) RF: Ahamad Azzawi (Capalaba) LF: Riley Campbell (Albany Creek) Coach: Warren Moon (Lions FC)
Darren Lutton - Presenter: GK: Phil Zabaks (Lions FC) RB: Michael Butters (Lions FC) CB: Adjin Fetahagic (Lions FC) CB: Uryu Nagata (Rochedale Rovers) LB: Dan Smith (Holland Park Hawks) CDM: Paul Mooney (Rochedale Rovers) RM: Dean Briggs (Holland Park Hawks) CAM: Jared Austin (Peninsula Power) LM: Peter Gaffney (Lions FC) ST: Ahamad Azzawi (Capalaba) ST: Ben Njie (Mitchelton) Coach: Warren Moon (Lions FC)
Tim Moore - Analyst: GK: Kevin Downes (Mitchelton) RB: Michael Butters (Lions FC) CB: David Salin (Peninsula Power) CB: Nathan Reardon (Lions FC) LB: Dan Smith (Holland Park Hawks) CM: Scott Sargent (Rochedale Rovers) CM: Fernando Bedoya (Logan FC) LW: Andrew MacAskill (Holland Park Hawks) RW: Greg Cheshire (Rochedale Rovers) ST: Ben Njie (Mitchelton) ST: Ahamad Azzawi (Capalaba) Coach: Warren Moon
