The A-League has had it’s fair share of characters across its 13 seasons. The Football Sack takes a look at some of the best.
Do you agree with our A-League cult hero XI?
Goalkeeper: Liam Reddy
Having played for just about every club in the league and being sacked by Sydney FC for getting drunk on a flight to Wellington makes him a no brainer for this spot.
Full back: Adama Traore
The marauding Ivorian full back won so many plaudits during his time at Gold Coast United and Melbourne Victory that attempts were made to have him play for the national team after becoming a naturalised Australian.
Centre Back: Ljubo Milicevic
An uncompromising defender who was equally adept with his feet Ljubo may be best remembered and loved for always speaking his mind. Even to this day the former Newcastle Jets defender doesn’t hold back regularly posting hilarious tell-all stories on his Facebook page. Gets bonus points for sitting with the Squadron at times during his Jets days.
Centre Back: Kristian Rees
Kristian Rees will forever be remembered as the unlikely hero on Gold Coast United’s greatest day – a 5-1 win over rivals Brisbane Roar on Boxing Day of the 2009/10 season. Rees’ double will see him forever remembered as one of the club’s favourite sons.
Full Back: Ali Abbas
A player who always gave 100% for the shirt, especially when he wore the Sky Blue of Sydney FC. Abbas was a hit during his time in the Harbour City for the passion he showed on the pitch. Many Sydney FC fans would happily take him back right now with his future at Wellington up in the air.
Midfield: Kevin Muscat
Quite possibly the toughest and dirtiest defender not only in the A-League but world football. Muscat picked up a total of five red cards in his A-League career two of which came in his final two matches as a professional footballer; the last being the sickening and infamous leg-break on Melbourne Heart youngster Adrian Zahra. Gets a midfield spot because he played there in his early Victory days.
Midfield: Charlie Miller
Despite widely being viewed as overweight during his time in the A-League former Brisbane Roar midfielder Miller could play a bit and caught the eye with the occasional screamer. Left Brisbane for rivals Gold Coast United following a bust up with Ange Postecoglou.
Midfield: Carlos Hernandez
Another who many fans felt enjoyed a bit too much KFC, Hernandez was arguably the leagues first great play-maker. Had a highlights-reel anyone would be proud of and will always be remembered fondly by Victory fans.
Forward: Matt Simon
The player everyone loves to hate, revered for his aggressive style, Graham Arnold regularly throws Simon on later in games to unsettle opposition defences with his in your face attitude. The striker who hasn’t scored an A-League goal since February 2016 splits opinion and is better known for what he does without the ball than with it.
Forward: Eugene Dadi
If you had to sum Eugene Dadi up in one word it would be flamboyant. The two moments Dadi is best remembered for – a stunning bicycle against Brisbane Roar and a botched panenka against former club Perth Glory show him to be equal parts outstanding and crazy. Had one of the A-Leagues all time greatest haircuts as well.
Forward: Besart Berisha
Goals and controversy seem to follow the Kosovo Albanian international wherever he goes. Despite always being a talking point his greatest day is arguably his late double to win the 2012 Grand Final against Perth Glory which included a stoppage time penalty that Glory fans will tell you to this day was a dive.
Coach: Franz Straka
That jacket.. need we say more?
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