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 Corey HUGO (Swan I.C.) |
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 Hugh MILLER (Floreat Athena) |
 Perry IELATI (Perth) |
 Scott MCLEOD (Sorrento) |
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 Michael GARCIA (Sorrento) |
 Scott DEVINE (Western Knights) |
 Carlo SCALI (Swan I.C.) |
 Scott CAMPBELL (Inglewood United) |
 Costa SOCRATOUS (Floreat Athena) |
 Ryan NEWHILL (Floreat Athena) |
 Andreas OLIVIERA (Perth) |
This selection of this team is purely subjective and has been made going on those performances that I witnessed over the course of the 2001 W.A. State League season. - Brett Klucznik
Corey HUGO (Goalkeeper) - Hugo started the year in a blaze of glory with a stand-out performance against the touring Red Star Belgrade team where he single-handedly prevented the margin from being more than the two-nil that history will show. After a classy 2000 winter Hugo established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for the State team, a position which he's bound to hold onto after another great season between the posts at Swan I.C. Part of the W.A. Institute of Sport several years ago, Hugo was one of three goalkeepers invited to trail with Perth Glory at seasons' end.
Perry IELATI (Sweeper) - One of the unsung heroes at Perth in 2001, Ielati was unfortunate to miss the business end of the season due to a knee injury that forced him on to crutches and out of the team that won the Boral Cup and Champion of Champions finals'. Part of the set-up at Dorrien Gardens since 1996, the now 23-year old has progressed through the ranks to become established as one of the state's most reliable and composed defenders. The former State representative was simply outstanding over the first half of the campaign and he was justly rewarded at season's end when named joint winner of Perth's Fairest and Best trophy.
Hugh MILLER (Central Defender) - Miller would have to be one of the unluckiest club captains this season after leading Floreat Athena into three finals and coming out empty handed on each occasion. Now in this third season with Athena, the former captain of E.C.U. Joondalup is a natural on-field leader and a vital part of coach John Hunter's plans as he re-build the club. One that rarely loses an aerial battle and ever-reliable in the tackle, Miller was one of his club's top vote-getters in the Gold Medal Night in a season which saw his time shared between being part of Athena's back three and operating from the midfield.
Scott MCLEOD (Central Defender) - After picking up Sorrento's Fairest and Best award with a record number of votes last season, McLeod underwent a groin operation over the summer months which forced him out of the club's pre-season. Not surprisingly he started 2001 slowly but by mid-year was back to his brilliant best as Sorrento strove towards their first-ever Premier League championship. One of the key performers in a successful season for the club, McLeod is more than capable of also playing his part in midfield when the job demands. The tall and strong built 28-year old missed their final regular season games after breaking his arm against former club E.C.U. Joondalup, whom he left in the summer of 1999 to sign with the Seagulls.
Costa SOCRATOUS (Right Wing) - Socratous caught the eye last season when he was one of Floreat Athena's bright young stars, and with the guidance of new coach John Hunter he's done nothing other than enhance his reputation this term. Skillful, more than capable with both feet, and comfortable playing in central midfield or on either flank, the 22-year old is the sort of player that many Premier League coaches would give their right hand to have in their squad. A product of Athena's youth system, the hard-working Socratous is often overlooked when the plaudits are being handed out.
Michael GARCIA (Left Wing) - 2001 was possibly the best season that 24-year old Garcia has experienced. The versatile attacking midfielder left Kingsway Olympic in 1995 and spent time Canberra Cosmos and Perth Glory before injury cut short his dream of an overseas career. After brief stints with Inglewood United, Marine Castle United (Singapore) and E.C.U. Joondalup, Garcia signed on with Sorrento for the winter where it quickly became apparent that he'd matured into a thoughtful ball-player who wastes no time in pushing forward down the flanks. Equally as effective when playing in central midfield, Garcia's end-of-season reward was a one-year contract with Glory.
Scott DEVINE (Midfield) - A much underrated player who could easily make the step up to the National Soccer League, Devine had a slow start to 2001 but was in top gear by the time the business end of the season came round. The 25-year old, tough tackling Western Knights midfielder plays the game hard and, as a result, has had to contend with his share of injuries over the years but always come out on top to give his all for the club. Club captain since 2000, Devine spent time at Swan I.C. and Stirling Macedonia before joining the Knights in 1998 since when he's made over 100 senior appearances as well as being a member of the State squad for the past two years.
Carlo SCALI (Midfield) - Bringing some experience to the midfield is Swan I.C. captain Scali who capped another fine season by taking out the Gold Medal for the Premier League's fairest and best player. With man-of-the-match performances against Bassendean Caledonians and Floreat Athena (amongst others) to his credit, Scali was inspirational whether playing in midfield or on the flank with his non-stop running game and clever use of the ball as Swan struggled all season to avoid relegation. The longest serving member of club's senior squad - he made his debut at 16 - Scali has twice been the recipient of the First Division's Player of the Year award.
Scott CAMPBELL (Midfield) - In his first season at senior level, the one-time Perth S.C. junior had an outstanding winter for Inglewood United. Utilised by coach Steve Parkinson down the right flank during the Night Series, Campbell continually teased and tortured opposing defences with his pace and close ball control, not to mention his ability to find the net when needed. Brimming with potential, the silky skilled youngster switched effortlessly to a role in the centre of midfield once the season proper got under way and repaid his coaches faith with some truly inspiring performances. An ever-present at club level in 2001, Campbell finished joint-second in "the Sunday Times"/Oceanus Player of the Year award, equal fourth on the Gold Medal count and was the recipient of the Sony Under-23 Player of the Month for August.
Ryan NEWHILL (Forward) - After spells with Kingsway Olympic and Inglewood United, Newhill made an immediate impact at Floreat Athena this season where he partnered Robyn Dyers in what was the most lethal forward line in the competition. Following coach John Hunter from Inglewood, the strongly built Newhill relished his role as an out-and-out striker by finding the net 21 times over the course of the year which included a mid-season spell when he scored in seven consecutive League and Cup outings. With an explosive shot from inside and around the 18-yard box, Newhill is one of those strikers that not only makes the most of his opportunities but also is effective in providing the ammunition for those around him. Polled strongly in the Gold Medal count to finish joint-seventh.
Andres OLIVEIRA (Forward) - Oliveira is without a doubt the find of the 2001 W.A. Premier League season. Born in Perth but raised in his mother's homeland of Chile, the teenager signed with Perth S.C. over the off-season and it wasn't long before he was knocking in the goals, finding the net in each of Perth's opening three Night Series matches. Displaying all the attributes necessary in the modern game, Oliveira finished the winter with 19 goals to his credit, amongst those two crackers in the Champion of Champions Final against Floreat Athena. A member of the West Australian Under-19 squad that went to France mid-year, the teenager capped a stunning debut season in the Premier League by winning the "the Sunday Times"/Oceanus Player of the Year trophy before coming in third in the Gold Medal count. At club level he was joint winner of Perth's Fairest and Best award as well as the recipient of the Peter Giorgi Memorial Trophy which is awarded to their most outstanding young player.
Robert SCARPAROLO (Goalkeeper) - A former Bayswater City junior, Scarparolo played a bigger part in Perth S.C. lifting three trophies this season that he is given credit for. Forced out of the side by injury in the opening weeks of the Premier League season, Scarparolo's return coincided with Perth picking-up the pace and mounting a serious challenge for the championship. Over the final two months of the season he conceded just four goals and kept six clean sheets, including those in the Boral Cup and Champions of Champions deciders. While he may be one of the competitions shorter 'keeper's, what Scarparolo lacks in the way of height he more than makes up for with his superb agility between the posts and some lightning fast reflexes. Got the nod ahead of teenager Oliver Taseski, the 2001 W.A. Goalkeeper of the Year.
Troy BERNARD (Sweeper) - A fully fit Troy Bernard would be an automatic selection in anyone's All-Stars team but, unfortunately, his season was hampered by a niggling knee injury, hence his inclusion in the shadow squad. Bernard has been a part of the furniture at Floreat Athena for the past six years where his surging runs from the back have become a trademark of his game. Without Bernard Athena are a much different proposition, which is precisely why coach John Hunter included the State representative in the squad come finals time. Undoubtedly one of the most consistent performers in the local competition over the past few seasons, Bernard apparently caught the eye of Auckland-based National Soccer League outfit Kingz F.C. during the winter.
Danny HILL (Central Defender) - Having immigrated from England early in the year, Hill linked up with Sorrento in March and in no time at all carved out a reputation as a reliable, strongly-built central defender who was just as capable operating from the middle of the park. The 26-year old former Newport County player had a fantastic debut season in the Premier League which sees him as the front-runner in his club's end-of-season Fairest and Best award. Unfortunately Hill's season was soured somewhat by suspension handed down by Soccer Australia during the visa investigation towards the tail end of the campaign. The Sorrento big man narrowly tipped Bassendean Caledonian veteran Martin Woodall out of the shadow squad.
Aaron COLE (Central Defender) - A product of the fertile Perth S.C. youth system, Cole began 2001 with a bang - making his senior debut for the State team against the touring Red Star Belgrade side in late January and two weeks later his first appearance in the National Soccer League for Perth Glory. Not long after he walked out on the N.S.L. club due to contractual reasons and the tall defender hasn't looked back since. Dominant in the air, Cole enjoyed another strong season locally with Perth which saw him pick up a further three winners medals and attract the attention of several N.S.L. sides. It is tipped that the 1999 W.A. Player and Rookie of the Year - who edged Richard Watson (E.C.U. Joondalup) out of the shadow squad - will make the move to professional status over the summer months.
Andre SARPE (Right Wing) - Sarpe has managed to pack a lot in to his football life despite being still being a teenager. As a 13-year old he signed professional papers with Romanian club Dinamo Bucharest but, homesick, returned to Perth and linked up Kingsway Olympic. The skillful right-sided player joined E.C.U. Joondalup in February and shortly after trialled unsuccessfully with English club Southampton. On return he settled into life at Joondalup and, by seasons' end, had become a regular member of the senior squad thanks to his great ball control and a willingness to take on, and beat, opposing defences. Part of the Western Australian Under-19 squad that went to France, Sarpe spent time training with Perth Glory last month. Pushed by Western Knights midfielder for the shadow squad berth.
Todd HOWARTH (Left Wing) - After a strong 2000 season, Howarth further enhanced his reputation this winter with some sparkling performances which have seen him firm as one of this State's most consistent performers. Having started out with Bayswater City as a junior, the skillful left-sided player joined Perth S.C. a few years back where he's come on in leaps and bounds, the culmination of which was being his inclusion in the Western Australian Under-19 squad that participated in June's Tournai De Croix. Third in "the Sunday Times"/Oceanus Player of the Year and named the Sony Under-23 Player of the Month for March, it looks like being only a matter of time before Howarth steps up to the ranks for the N.S.L. Narrowly pipped Cockburn City youngster Gary Numan for a spot in the shadow squad.
Peter BUTLER (Midfield) - Born in Halifax, the 35-year old Butler joined Sorrento early in the season after a 14-year career in England in which he made over 500 League and Cup appearances for West Ham United and Notts County amongst others. Having experienced the highs and lows abroad, Butler quickly established himself as a key figure in the centre of the park where he added muscle to the Sorrento engineroom as the club strove towards their first-ever Premier League championship. Although very much in the twilight of his career, Butler still has plenty to offer the game locally as he displayed in his debut season down-under.
Robbie GASPAR (Midfield) - A former Australian Schoolboys representative, Gaspar spent his junior years playing with Western Knights and Cockburn City before trying his luck at N.S.L. level with Sydney Olympic a couple of years back. Linking up with Perth S.C. on his return from the east in April, the midfielder immediately settled into Graham Normanton's starting eleven where he added vision, a creative touch and a goal-scoring hunger to a line-up that was already oozing quality. The 20-year old, one of the driving forces behind Perth's Boral Cup and Champion of Champions successes, is currently in Italy where he has trials lined up with several clubs.
Antonio NAGLIERI (Midfield) - Now 18 years of age, Naglieri shot to prominence last season when he took out the Rookie of the Year trophy while playing for Cockburn City. Shortly after he turned down an offer to join English side Blackburn Rovers, and a place at the Australian Institute of Sport, in preference of signing for Perth Glory. Nagileri was loaned back to Cockburn for the winter months during which he was again one of the club's strongest performers with numerous classy performances at senior level. A member of the Western Australian Under-19 squad that went to France mid-year, Naglieri finished tenth in the Gold Medal count and snuck into the shadow squad ahead of talented Fremantle City midfielder Daniel Trim.
Ryan JEANS (Forward) - 22-year old Jeans joined Sorrento in 1996 after spending his junior days at Wanneroo City. Since then he's made a name for himself as a proven goalscorer at every level, from Under-18's through to seniors, which saw him finish the 2001 season as leading scorer for Sorrento's first team with 14 League, Cup and Night Series goals. The winter campaign started spectacularly for the youngster, his four-goal haul against Fremantle City on the opening weekend a taster of things to come. But Jeans was unable to maintain his outstanding early form, much of his final tally coming in the first half of the season, and he spent the final months of 2001 operating either from a deeper midfield role or coming off the bench.
Eugene SINGEORZAN (Forward) - In what many consider to have been his best season to date, Singeorzan finished the winter months as Western Knights leading scorer for the first time. A solidly built attacker who holds the ball up well, Singeorzan has an explosive shot as many a goalkeeper will testify. A player that gives his all on the day, the big striker has been a regular starter for the Knights over the years and developed into a key figure at the club. Singeorzan proved that he is one of the Premier League's better forwards by netting an all-competitions 15 goals this winter. With close to 200 appearances for his club, the now 28-year old joined the Knights in 1995 from amateur outfit Cloverdale Chindits and has twice been invited to trial with Perth Glory. There was little between Singeorzan and Premier League leading scorer Branimir Mikulic (Cockburn City) for this spot in the shadow squad.
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This page was last updated on the 12th October, 2001