Travis Dodd- B-
Once one of the most feared players in the league, this
season showed that Dodd’s career is coming to an end. Still played week in,
week out when it was obvious he was struggling to play the whole 90, he had
trouble getting into games. Yet, he still provided fleeting moments that
brought back memories of Past Travis, his strength and speed creating chances
for his team-mates. Sadly, a bad keen injury ended his season late on and it’s
still unclear whether he’ll be kept on next season. In spite of his on-field
struggles, off the pitch he collected the award for Clubman of the Year.
Liam Miller- B
One of the main reasons behind our success last season, this
year was an entirely different case for the former Manchester United, Celtic
and Sunderland midfielder. His class was fleeting, he rarely offered a link
between defence and attack (possibly encouraging the long-ball lumping) and he
still refused to PULL THE DAMN TRIGGER IN FRONT OF GOAL. WHY WON’T YOU DO IT,
LIAM? WHY? He went missing when we needed him to stand up and take control of
the game and tempo. However, under Edwards, he rediscovered his best from and
was back to missing the midfield by seasons end. Will be missed next season,
although he’s done him no favours with the fans by moving to Brisbane.
Jacob Burns- B-
Il Capitano spent most of the season not playing, although
this time it was more to do with injury rather than suspension. Like Miller, he
failed to offer a link between the centre backs and the forwards and never
really showed his great form from last year. Still, he won the coveted “Jacob
Burns Award” for the most Perth yellow cards this season (an award he will be
looking to win for the fourth time in its four year history in 2014) and like
the rest of the team, improved under Edwards, so it will be interesting to see
how he fits in next year.
Mattias Cordoba- B
A January singing, initially rumoured to be overweight and
unfit, Cordoba showed his class after a slow start, scoring a well-taken goal
in a vital (if undeserved) win in Newcastle, and was massive in the midfield in
our final two games, winning man of the match in the heart-breaking loss to the
Victory. Sadly, as a visa holder, the Glory decided to not offer him a new
contract. I wish him well in the future.
Steve McGarry- B+
Nicknamed “Stevie McG” by no one bar me, the hard-working
midfielder produced a consistent season in midfield. Not being the flashiest of
players means a lot of his hard work more often than not goes unnoticed by the
majority of fans. However, the coaches certainly noticed his importance to the
team, as he was a mainstay all year. More importantly, his hard work was
rewarded with the highest individual honour at the club, the Most Glorious
Player award.
Adrian Zahra- C+
He used to be a promising winger, but then he took a Muscat
to the knee. After a year out due to THAT Kevin Muscat tackle in the Melbourne
derby, Zahra didn’t get much game time in his debut season for the Glory. Still
working back to full fitness and recovering from a horrific tackle, he provided
brief moments of hope he could be a good player for the Glory. He often
struggled to get into games and became invisible. It says it all when his most
memorable moments were a deflected goal in the final game of the season, a 1-1
draw with Adelaide, and a miss from 2 yards out Emile Heskey would have
been proud of.
Brandon O’Neill- NA
Young Brandon didn’t get any game time this year, despite
impressing in his two matches the season prior. He plays like Jacob Burns,
albeit with a lot less fouls, bookings and long balls. He’s my pick to breakout
under Edwards next year, as I thought he was class in his first two games. Could
well oust Burns from his central midfield spot by the end of the year if the
veteran’s performance declines.
