The outstanding form of Brisbane Roar’s Jade North has been honoured with the defender today named as the captain of the 2015/16 Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) A-League Team of the Season.
Proudly supported by PFA Major Corporate Partner LUCRF Super, Travellers Choice and John Moriarty Football, North was joined in the 16 man squad by representatives from seven A-League clubs. Voted on by all of the PFA’s A-League based members, the team was dominated by Melbourne City players, with four selected in the team. The squad also heavily features Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers players.
Vying to become the fifth coach in the history of the A-League to win both the Premiership and Championship in the same season, Adelaide United boss Guillermo Amor was selected as the coach of PFA A-League the Team of the Season.
The 2015/16 PFA A-League Team of the Season
Goalkeeper: Thomas Sorensen (Melbourne City).
Defenders: Josh Risdon (Perth Glory), Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory), Jade North (C) (Brisbane Roar), Scott Jamieson (Western Sydney Wanderers).
Midfielders: Corona (Brisbane Roar), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Diego Castro (Perth Glory).
Forwards: Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar), Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne City), Harry Novillo (Melbourne City).
Substitutes: Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mitch Nichols (Western Sydney Wanderers), Roly Bonevacia (Wellington Phoenix), Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory).
Coach: Guillermo Amor (Adelaide United).
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Selected as captain by the PFA Awards Committee, which is made up of Socceroos greats and leading figures in the Australian football media, North said he was honoured to skipper the side.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to be named in the players’ team and to be selected as captain just tops it off,” said North. “The recognition of your fellow professionals is the highest honour you can receive as a player.
“The standard across the league has never been higher, and this is reflected in what is truly an outstanding PFA A-League Team of the Season.”
during the round 17 A-League match between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium on January 31, 2014 in Perth, Australia.
PFA Chairman Craig Foster paid tribute to those selected in the team.
“On behalf of our members I would like congratulate all those selected in the team of the season,” said Foster. “The team highlights the incredible playing talent that calls the A-League home and once again demonstrates the ever improving standard on the pitch.
“I would also like to make special mention of the retiring Strebre Delovski who has been selected as the referee for a remarkable sixth time in seven seasons and I congratulate him on a fantastic career.”
during the round 17 A-League match between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium on January 31, 2014 in Perth, Australia.
The outstanding playing surface at Etihad Stadium was voted by the players as the best pitch in the A-League. Whilst Etihad Stadium had improved on last season’s average this was not reflected across the league with pitch quality dropping from last season’s overall average of 3.72 to 3.4, out of a possible five for the 2015/16 season.
For the second season running the Melbourne Victory fans were voted by the players as creating the best atmosphere in the A-League, narrowly edging out the Wanderers fans. The average atmosphere rating across the league was down on last season’s 3.42 to 3.03 for 2015/16 season.
PFA Executive Alex Wilkinson paid tribute to the Victory fans and the surface at Etihad Stadium.
during the round 17 A-League match between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium on January 31, 2014 in Perth, Australia.
“The atmosphere created by the Victory fans at every home game is truly electric and they are deserving of the players recognition,” said the Socceroos defender.
“I’d also like to congratulate the staff at Etihad Stadium on producing a quality playing surface. The quality of the pitch has a significant impact on the quality of play on the pitch and Etihad Stadium allows players to be at their very best.”
