Time to Think About Number One

It seems incredible to hear that after five rounds of the Hyundai A League not one goalkeeper has picked up a vote in the Alex Tobin Medal for the best player after each round. Or does it?

The voting often reveals that the ‘expert’ who may have been a good player in his time actually has little appreciation for the game and is blinded by reputation rather than actually seeing who has influenced the result of a game. At every level of football you see the goalscorers picking up votes, yet often the amount of chances that they have squandered has been forgotten as long as they net the all-important winner.

The forgotten players are the goalkeepers, of that there can be no doubt. It is no coincidence that Adelaide City sit top of the Hyundai A League, because currently they have the best keeper in the league, Eugene Galekovic. It was no coincidence that Brisbane Roar won back to back Championships with Michael Theoklitos – or Michael Theo as he is officially now known – between the sticks. Let us not forget that he was also in goal during Melbourne Victory’s wins in 2006/07 and 2008/09.

If we look at the State League her in WA, the performance of Frazer Siddall in goal for the Western Knights saw them win back to back Premierships. Last season Lewis Italiano was the rock at the back for Balcatta and this year without a shadow of doubt Curtis Aspden was the best ‘keeper in the league as Sorrento won the League and cup double.

It is no coincidence that Perth Glory’s form has improved dramatically since they signed Danny Vukovic, as they finally -with all due respect to those who played before him in the A League a solid quality ‘keeper; Jason Petkovic sadly never regained his form following his horrific broken leg.

It is time that these men received the recognition that they deserve. Sure you need the playmakers in front of them, and the goalscorers to be successful, but it is no coincidence that the teams with the best goalkeepers usually end up winning more than their counterparts.