Two veterans of the game get the nod in today’s installment.
With time ticking away between seasons seven and eight of the Hyundai A-League, we here at footballaustralia.com.au thought we would go retro and take a look back at some of the best the league has had to offer over the years.
Yesterday we caused a stir amongst Phoenix fans by ranking Mark Paston at number seven on the countdown and even snuck in a great with a short Hyundai A-League tenure, today we get into the top five.
6. Ante Covic
One of the more solid keepers in the history of the Hyundai A-League he was probably rather unfortunate in that he came along at the same time as Mark Schwarzer and didn-t get the chance to represent his country as often as he would have liked and just two appearances for the Qantas Socceroos reflect what has been a good instead of great career.
Before he came to the A-League Covic played at the highest level for many years in Sweden and upon his return he promptly helped Newcastle Jets toward their only Championship, before once again departing for Scandinavia.
Returning to help Melbourne Victory out when Tando Velaphi suffered a serious injury he quickly made the number 1 jersey his own and in what was a poor season for the Victory went on to claim the Victory Medal before being shown the door by Ange Postecoglou.
His fitness and shot-stopping ability still at the highest level he might well be a big target for the New Sydney club and Tony Popovic, after all he led the A-League in saves made through the last season with 109 saves.
As the chant goes “He saves to the left. He saves to the right. Ante Covic, he saves them all night.”
5. Clint Bolton
The most experienced man on this list by a long way with over 450 games played and most of those in Australia, his quality in goal is
unquestionable, even if his body creaks a bit more than it used to these days.
That doesn-t change the fact that Bolton is still an immense presence in goal for Melbourne Heart and his ability to spread his large frame to stop an oncoming attacker or pluck out a cross has been a major reason for the success of his clubs over the years.
His resume is immense and includes two A-League championships, one premiership, Club Player of the Year Awards and going back a ways two NSL titles, not to mention an Oceania Club Championship.
The views in this article are those of the author and not Football Federation Australia
