We hit the top five as we countdown the greatest defenders in the history of the Hyundai A-League.
Yesterday it was all about club captains and today, it’s two current players and veterans who get the nod as we start to get to the pointy end of the countdown.
Leave a comment below as to who you think will be in our top four.
6. Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Melbourne Heart)
If it feels like Colosimo has been around for a while, it-s because he has. A stalwart of the Hyundai A-League he started with Perth Glory when the league began and after a couple of seasons in WA transferred to Sydney FC before eventually claiming a Championship with the Sky Blues.
These days he is a key part of Melbourne Heart-s defence as a veteran who provides plenty of shape for the slew of young players around him.
Though he has made 25 Qantas Socceroos appearances over the years one wonders what could have been for a young Colosimo had he not been the victim of a horrific tackle from Manchester United-s Andy Cole back in 1999. That tackle left him with torn anterior and medial ligaments and on the sidelines for the better part of a year.
A two-time Joe Marston Medallist, Colosimo has done plenty in Australian football and is resolute in defence, but just lacks the star power needed to move further up this list.
5. Patrick Zwaanswijk (Central Coast Mariners)
There might not be a better defender in the Hyundai A-League right now than the 37-year-old Dutchman.
Zwaanswijk played a major role in the Mariners- run to the Premier-s Plate in the latest instalment of the competition and along with Alex Wilkinson forms arguably the best central defensive combination in the A-League.
Known for being incredibly tough to beat in the air, Zwaanswijk is also more agile than his age or size would have you believe, the affable Dutchman is also a presence on the ground and is known to time his challenges extremely well.
But he is more than just a defender. Perhaps more than anyone else on this list he is also a massive threat going forward. His ability to unlock a defence with a quality pass or to score in any manner make him a genuine attacking threat and that was shown throughout the last season, when he became the Mariners- top goal scorer.
Zwaanswijk can score with his head, from the penalty spot or through what is a pile-driving shot from long range, making him a very complete player.
The views in this article are those of the author, and do not represent those of Football Federation Australia
