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 Lewis ITALIANO (Balcatta) |
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 Michael PUGLIESE (Stirling Lions) |
 Ryan TOWNSEND (Mandurah City) |
 Adam TONG (Balcatta) |
 Craig SIMPSON (Perth SC) |
 Ryan CLARKE (Inglewood United) |
 Spencer HARRIS (Balcatta) |
 Antonio NAGLIERI (Perth SC) |
 Greg SHARLAND (Perth SC) |
 Stephen BURTON (Balcatta) |
 Gustavo GIRON-MARULANDA (Bayswater City) |
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The 2011 Premier League All-Stars has been selected with the input
of non-playing representatives from the twelve Premier League clubs
Lewis ITALIANO (Goalkeeper) - Promising youngster Lewis Italiano has very good reason to look back on 2011 with great fondness. Italiano, who celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this month, moved back to Balcatta in the off-season and in next to no time was the clubs first choice premier goalkeeper. His talents really came to the fore during a remarkable eight game run in which the opposition were kept scoreless seven times, shutting out the likes of ECU Joondalup (R15), Floreat Athena (R18) and Inglewood United (R20) amongst others. In total Italiano tallied up eight clean sheets across 22 league appearances in Balcatta’s first Premier League title, earning him a Perth Glory deal for the summer.
Michael PUGLIESE (Right Back) - It’s surprising that this is Michael Pugliese’s first All-Stars appearance. Capable of playing anywhere across the back, the 23-year old Stirling Lions player showed his value early against Balcatta (R1) and Western Knights (R5) but then spent a lengthy period out through injury. On returning to action noteworthy contributions against Armadale (R17) and Western Knights (R18) led to his selection for the State teams’ friendly with Perth Glory. Pugliese was a key figure in Stirling’s late push for the play-offs, starring in wins against Sorrento (R20) and Floreat Athena (R25) with his efforts recognised at seasons’ end with his second club Fairest and Best.
Ryan TOWNSEND (Centre Back) - Mandurah City captain Ryan Townsend was the shining light in a bleak year for the southerners. Townsend, a former Australia youth international, set the scene with towering performances against Balcatta (R3), Sorrento (R6) and Bayswater City (R7). Displaying a never-say-die attitude and tireless work ethic, Townsend typified Mandurah’s struggle to kick-start their season with strong showings against Cockburn City (R10) and Perth SC (R14). He featured prominently in late season fixtures with Armadale (18), Sorrento (R19) and Bayswater City (R20) but, ultimately, was unable to prevent Mandurah from relegation. Townsend’s efforts were rewarded at with Mandurah’s Club Champion trophy.
Adam TONG (Centre Back) - Balcatta captain Adam Tong was the biggest single influence in his clubs’ historic Premier League title win. Tong, a Plymouth Argyle junior, made a dream start to his season by starring in outings with Stirling Lions (R1), ECU Joondalup (R2), Mandurah City (R3) and Bayswater City (R4). That form was carried across the full length of the season with characteristically muscular efforts against Floreat Athena (R18), Cockburn City (R21) and Sorrento (R25) rating amongst his best. Tong finished sixth in Gold Medal counting before picking up his second successive club Player of the Year award.
Craig SIMPSON (Left Back) - Craig Simpson’s ability to negate the threat posed by opposing players then quickly send his team into attack were key in Perth SC completing a hat-trick of State Championships. The 26-year olds third season at Dorrien Gardens was undoubtedly his best so far with commanding displays in win over Floreat Athena (R8), Mandurah City (R14) and Inglewood United (R19) rating particularly highly. Simpson saw out the home and away series with a best on ground effort against Sorrento (R26), scoring the games’ only goal, then carried that through the finals series to ensure there were blue ribbons tied to the trophy on Grand Final day.
Ryan CLARKE (Right Midfield) - Ryan Clarke’s penetrating runs down the right side of the park were vital to Inglewood United’s success in 2012. The hard-working midfielder was in peak condition from the get-go, scoring twice in the defeat of Forrestfield United (NS) and turning on the style in his teams’ win at Sorrento (R5). A best on ground against Armadale (R9) was sandwiched between similar displays against Stirling Lions (R8) and Western Knights (R10). Having set the bar high, Clarke remained right in the thick of the action all the way through to seasons’ end, starting all but one of his teams’ 28 games.
Antonio NAGLIERI (Centre Midfield) - Perth SC will claim victory whenever Antonio Naglieri is on song. Amongst the 28-year olds early highlights was a best on ground at home to ECU Joondalup (R7) but it was in mid-year that he really shone with a trio of dazzling displays to ensure Perth took the points over Sorrento (R13), Mandurah City (R14) and Bayswater City (R15). Although he missed the last six rounds of the regular season, Naglieri was back on board in time to help Perth complete a hat-trick of State Championships. A playmaker of the highest calibre, Naglieri won Perth’s Fairest and Best for the second time and polled eighth in the Gold Medal.
Spencer HARRIS (Centre Midfield) - The on the ball skills and tireless work ethic of import midfielder Spencer Harris were vital in Balcatta’s historic Premier League win. Harris, fresh from a spell at English club Hebden Royd Red Star, joined Balcatta on the eve of the regular season and staked his claim to a first eleven spot with a solid workout against Stirling Lions (R1). That performance set the benchmark for the 21-year olds State League inauguration with contributions to wins over Floreat Athena (R5), Cockburn City (R8), Western Knights (R15) and Armadale (R19) considered among his best.
Greg SHARLAND (Left Midfield) - Greg Sharland put aside an injury interrupted start to his year by guiding Perth SC to a third successive State Championship. Forced to cool his heels by a hamstring problem until May, 28-year old Sharland signalled he was back by guiding Perth to victory against Cockburn City (R12). He scored a stunning long-range goal in the defeat of Mandurah City (C3), donned State team colours against Perth Glory in early July and dazzled in late outings with ECU Joondalup (R20) and Balcatta (R24), scoring twice against the latter. Sharland capped his season with a starring role in Perth’s big Grand Final win against Sorrento.
Gustavo GIRON-MARULANDA (Forward) - Eighteen goals in seventeen appearances speaks volumes for the danger Gustavo Giron-Marulanda presents in and around the 18-yard box. The Bayswater City striker put aside an injury interrupted start with a double against ECU Joondalup (R5) and a starring role in the home defeat of Sorrento (R8). Although he netted with regularity it was in the second part of the winter that Giron-Marulanda really hit his straps, scoring eleven times in nine games with doubles arriving against Cockburn City (R16), Balcatta (R17), Joondalup (R20) and Floreat Athena (R23). His rewards for a marvellous season included the Golden Boot, Gold Medal runner-up and winner of the footballwa.net Premier League Player of the Year.
Steven BURTON (Forward) - There is little doubt Steve Burton was the pick of the years’ imports. The England-born marksman was an immediate success with Balcata, hitting a hat-trick on debut at Bayswater City (R4) before leading the team to victory over Floreat Athena (R5) and Armadale (R6). Opposing defences struggled to contain the 28-year old, who piled on four goals against Cockburn City (C2) and returned doubles in important wins over Perth SC (R11) and ECU Joondalup (R15). Having donned State colours against Perth Glory in early July, Burton took his goal tally to seventeen for the year with a double a Western Knights (R26), a performance which saw him finish top of counting on Gold Medal night.
Curtis ASPDEN (Goalkeeper) - Sorrento ever-present Curtis Aspden makes his first All-Stars appearance. A solid pre-season laid the foundations for a strong season by the 24-year old former Hull City goalkeeper, who starred in early outings with Stirling Lions (R7), Cockburn City (R9) and ECU Joondalup (R10). He stood firm against Inglewood United (R18), gained a winners medal for his efforts against Perth on State League Cup final day and guided Sorrento into the Grand Final by shutting out Balcatta. Aspden, whose 35 appearances included 12 clean sheets, was recognised at seasons’ end with the Goalkeeper of the Year which he shared with Oliver Taseski (Inglewood United) and Fraser Siddall (Western Knights).
Ryan PEARSON (Right Back) - Local product Ryan Pearson deserves to be showcasing his wares on a higher stage. The classy 22-year old arrived at Sorrento in March after three summers with Perth Glory Youth and wasted little time making his mark on the right side of the park. Contributions against Stirling Lions (R7), Cockburn City (R9), Armadale (R11), Western Knights (R14) and Bayswater City (R21) rated amongst Pearson’s best, paving the way a tireless performance in Sorrento’s State League Cup win over Perth SC and the teams’ progression to the Grand Final. A thoughtful ball playing defender who enjoys pushing down the right, Pearson would walk into the first eleven at any State League club.
Shaun KILKELLY (Centre Back) - Shaun Kilkelly’s on the ball strength and never-say-die attitude have made him one the Premier league’s most feared opponents. The Perth SC defender was a pillar of strength through his clubs season with contributions against Stirling Lions (R3) and Inglewood United (R6) setting the stage for the 27-year olds year. Kilkelly was the mastermind behind keeping Sorrento (R13), Bayswater City (R15) and Balcatta (R24) scoreless, while his contribution against Inglewood United (R19) rated as arguably his best of the year. The icing on the cake came on Grand Final day when Kilkelly’s influence was central to Perth lifting the final piece of silverware for 2011.
Tretn KAY (Centre Back) - There is very good reason why local talent Trent Kay is held in the highest of regard by his peers. Kay’s aerial prowess, reading of play and ability to get the job done with a minimum of fuss have ensure the 24-year old is one of the first names on the Perth SC team sheet over the past few seasons. Among his shining achievements this year were rock-solid defensive performances in wins over ECU Joondalup (R7), Western Knights (R9), Cockburn City (R12) and Sorrento (R26). Kay honoured State team selection by scoring against Perth Glory, and capping that with a third straight State Champions medal with his club.
Danny CAIN (Left Back) - Opposing players know they’ll be in for a tough after when Danny Cain takes his place in the Sorrento line-up. Cain, 26, is a defender who plays with his heart on this sleeve, rarely emerging from a challenge without the ball in his feet and his eyes searching for a team mate. He performed with great consistency across the winter months with contributions against Stirling Lions (R7), Balcatta (R12) and Bayswater City (R21) rating particularly highly. Cain played his part in Sorrento lifting the State League Cup for the first time as well as his clubs’ qualification for the Grand Final.
Daniel MICEVSKI (Right Midfield) - The attacking instincts of Daniel Micevski were instrumental in Balcatta claiming top spot in the Premier League. Micevski, recruited last summer from Western Knights, made a positive start with his new club by steering them to victory against ECU Joondalup (R2), Floreat Athena (R5) and Armadale (R6). That form was carried throughout the season, Micevski dazzling against Mandurah City (R16) and Bayswater City (R17) on successive weekends before notching a best on ground at home to Cockburn City (R21). Micevski complimented his ability to create opportunities for those around him by chipping in with eight goals of his own.
James ISAIA (Centre Midfield) - Floreat Athena’s season would have turned out much differently if not for the input of James Isaia. Sidelined in pre-season by an ankle injury, Isaia came into the starting eleven in mid-April to play a key role in Floreat turning around a poor start to home and away series. Utilised in both midfield and defence, it was in the former that the 26-year olds creativity and distribution saw him standout against ECU Joondalup (R11) and Western Knights (R16) before turning in a best on ground display against Mandurah City (R22). Isaia’s efforts earned him the attention of Perth Glory with whom he was unfortunate not to be offered terms after spending the A-League pre-season.
Adrian CACERES (Centre Midfield) - The impact Adrian Caceres had in his nine-game cameo had a major bearing on Inglewood United finishing the regular season in third place. Caceres, recruited from Victorian club Heidleberg United in May, marked his Inglewood return by finding the net against Cockburn City (R11) and a month later scored twice in a match-winning display against Mandurah City (R15). Sandwiched in between similarly crafty contributions against Sorrento (R18) and Stirling Lions (R21) were a season best performance in Inglewood’s win at Perth SC (R19). A calf injury picked up in the closing weeks of the season meant Caceres watched his team mates finals campaign from the sidelines.
Ludovic BOI (Left Midfield) - There are very few players on the State League who can rival Ludovic Boi for creativity and pace. Boi, 22, broke into senior ranks as a teenager at Stirling Lions and over the years has evolved into an attack-focused player capable of operating on the left, right or centre of midfield. Having tormented many a defence across the first half of the season he hit peaked performance mid-year by orchestrating important wins over Western Knights (R18), Sorrento (R20) and Floreat Athena (R25). A player of genuine national league potential, Boi finished seventh in Gold Medal counting.
Ashley ROSINDALE (Forward) - Ashley Rosindale presents a clear and present danger from the moment he steps onto the park for Balcatta. Rosindale started his year with a stunning hat-trick against Wanneroo City (NS) before hitting seven goals in as many outings over the rounds of the regular season, bagging doubles against ECU Joondalup (R2) and Inglewood United (R7). A mid-season purple patch included notable contributions in wins over Perth SC (R11), Western Knights (R13), Stirling Lions (R14) and Joondalup (R15) only for an ankle injury to break his momentum. Late season strikes against Sorrento (R25) and Western Knights (R26) took Rosindale’s goal tally to fifteen, while his overall influence was rewarded with third on Gold Medal night.
Stuart MONTGOMERY (Forward) - The sight of Stuart Montgomery charging towards goal, ball at feet, is sure to send ripples of panic through any opposition team. The Western Knights veteran started his season with a brace against Bunbury Forum Force (NS) and polished displays in defeats of Sorrento (R1), ECU Joondalup (R6) and Cockburn City (R7), returning another double against the latter. As the season progressed Montgomery found himself occupying a variety of roles with performances against Bayswater City (R11), Floreat Athena (R16) and Perth SC (R22), against whom he scored twice, amongst his best. The Knights ever-present finished fourth in the Gold Medal, while the sixteen goals he scored were a factor in being crowned winning his clubs Fairest and Best player.
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This page was last updated on the 15th December, 2011