It is often the attacking stars that generate the Hyundai A-League headlines and hype but what about the guys that do all they can to stop the forwards finding the net?
It’s time to give the goalkeepers some love, with plenty of impressive performances from the glovemen during the 2018/19 Season.
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The competition’s shot-stoppers produced some jaw-dropping saves throughout the campaign and we’ve listed our top 10.
Now it’s up to you to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the page. But before you decide, check out all 10 in the video above.
One of the signings of the season, Filip Kurto was a rock for Wellington Phoenix on his way to being named the Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year at the Dolan Warren Awards.
And it’s not hard to see why when you look at his catalogue of saves, with two really catching the eye. The Polish gloveman showed all his cat-like reflexes to keep out Thomas Kristensen’s header for Brisbane Roar in Round 25 with his left hand, while it was a strong right that denied Sydney FC’s Reza Ghoochannejhad in Campbelltown back in Round 20.
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Brisbane Roar had a hugely disappointing campaign, but it was no fault of their keeper Jamie Young. And he deservedly has a couple of contenders in the Save of the Season category.
Young has a knack for the spectacular, which is the only way to describe his stop down low to his right to deny Shayon Harrison back in Round 24.
But if you thought that was impressive, what about his stunning double save against Perth Glory in Round 3, keeping out two point-blank headers from Andy Keogh just seconds apart?
Sydney FC’s Grand Final hero was keeper Andrew Redmayne, who came of age as a keeper this season, making a number of world-class stops and earning himself a call-up to the Caltex Socceroos in the process. While his shootout stops in the decider were his most important, none were better than this ripper to preserve all three points at the death against Adelaide United in Round 13.
Newcastle Jets’ Glen Moss is 36-years-old but he showed no signs of slowing down this season, with a couple of saves worthy of being in the running for the best of 2018/19.
Eric Bautheac is still wondering how Moss kept his effort out in the Jets’ clash with Brisbane Roar in Round 7, while the ex-New Zealand international denied former club Wellington Phoenix in Round 18 when he clawed David Williams’ header onto the woodwork.
In Round 10, Eugene Galekovic was a one-man brick wall against Western Sydney Wanderers, with his wonder stop from Alex Baumjohann’s strike described by commentator Brenton Speed as the ‘save of the season’.
Adelaide United’s Paul Izzo stopped what looked a certain own goal in his side’s Round 4 loss to Perth Glory as he showed great agility to tip the ball over the bar, while Lawrence Thomas’ brilliant reflex save against the Wanderers in Round 11 deservedly makes the list.
