We just had one of the most open, competitive, and unpredictable Men’s National League seasons we’ve ever witnessed and would you believe it the damn thing ended with Auckland City as champions. The usual outcome, perhaps, but definitely not by the usual course.

City were in dire trouble of not even making the final with a couple weeks left, before their championship pedigree shone through. Birkenhead United were the ones that stormed away to finish top of the standings. Napier City Rovers and Western Springs each gave them a good run for top two. The Wellington Phoenix had one of their most successful ever MNLs, while Coastal Spirit more than proved themselves among their new esteemed company. The likes of Wellington Olympic, Cashmere Technical, Eastern Suburbs, and Western Suburbs won’t be quite so stoked about how things panned out but there always must be a loser for every winner. All ten teams won at least one game. The action was relentless. The talent was abundant. And the time has come to wrap it all up with the annual Team(s) of the Season yarn.

The Honour Roll

• 2023 MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE – TEAM OF THE SEASON

• 2022 MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE – TEAM OF THE SEASON

• SOUTH CENTRAL SERIES – 2021 MEN’S TEAM OF THE SEASON

• 2020-21 MEN’S PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE SEASON

• 2019-20 MEN’S PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE SEASON

• 2018-19 MEN’S PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE SEASON

• 2017-18 MEN’S PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE SEASON

FIRST ELEVEN

GK - William Tønning (Napier City Rovers)

The Danish Denier. Finest gloveman in the competition, in fact he was the one keeper who deserved up to be up in MVP consideration. He’s got great reactions, he’s aggressive coming off his line (and out of his area), and he’s fearless in the air. Big expressive personality too. Perfect foil for the way that Napier City play and a deserving selection in the first team right here. He’s also yet another example of Rovers hitting the jackpot with their import additions, those scouting connections are the real deal.

CB – Dino Botica (Birkenhead United)

All that dashing transitional footy from Birko needed a sturdy platform behind them and they don’t come any sturdier than Dino Botica. A header doesn’t go unchallenged when this bloke is in the vicinity. He was inspirational in the grand final, combating the Auckland City onslaught that ensued from the second half onwards, running himself into exhaustion. And that’s just how he plays. A leader by example if ever there was one... and one heck of a defensive maestro.

CB – Aidan Carey (Western Springs)

Pat Tobin and Kurtis Mogg were also great but it was Aidan Carey who ran the show for Western Springs as the man in the middle of the back three. Very silky with the ball, capable of getting their possessions rolling. Also showed himself to have a superb knack for anticipating where he needs to be at any given time and how he plans to take that ball away from the opponents. Wouldn’t you know it, he scored a couple of goals too. Some of these first-teamers are regulars from years gone by. Some are high calibre imports. But every year there are also one or two breakthrough players, announcing themselves to the nation as elite domestic players, and Aidan Carey was one of those this year.

CB – Michael Den Heijer (Auckland City)

The rock at the heart of another ACFC championship. MDH is a converted midfielder so he brings the necessary ball skills for a City defender and he’s really grown to own this centre-back position over the last 24 months. Always in control. Always a steady head (mentally and also winning headers). There are games when he emerges spotless and there are games when he emerges with his noggin wrapped in bloodied bandages, it all depends on what that game required. They don’t make ‘em any more reliable than this dude.

RWB – Dylan Connolly (Birkenhead United)

If it wasn’t for the injury suffered by Everton O’Leary (which was a real bummer) then perhaps Dylan Connolly might not have even played that much for Birko. As it happens, he was one of their essential weapons whipping in wicked crosses from that right wing-back position, the Irishman even setting up Monty Patterson’s goal in the grand final to add to the four assists he bagged during the regular stuff. Heaps of running up and down that touchline, there’s no team that his style suited better than the run-and-gun Birkenhead United dashers.

CM – Luke Jorgensen (Birkenhead United)

We’ll ignore the bit where he scored an own goal in the final, that was unlucky, and focus on how his tireless work in the Birkenhead midfield was such a big part of what got them to the final in the first place. There’s not a blade of grass (or chunk of turf) on a National League pitch ​unaccustomed to the sprigs of this man’s boots. Relentless. Abrasive. And sneakily creative too. And a quality leader on top of everything else. It’s a tough gig playing for a team as hectic as this but with Jorgo there to tie things together it all flows.

CM – David Yoo (Coastal Spirit)

This 25yo former Eastern Suburbs youth bounced around a few academy/lower tier clubs in Portugal over recent years but returned to do his thrilling thing for Christchurch United in 2024. He was fantastic for the Rams... but they didn’t qualify for Nats. So you know what? He simply joined Coastal Spirit as a guest player and despite it being a relatively short notice thing (even heading into the last week or two, Chch Utd still had a genuine chance of qualifying), he slotted into that Spirit side like he was born for it. Yoo’s dribbling and directness were ideal for a counter attacking side like Coastal and even with guys like Alex Steinwascher and Dan MacLennan ahead of him it was David Yoo who seemed to be the instigator. Six goals and four assists. The five-minute hat-trick against Western Suburbs. He was amongst the National League’s very finest this term.

LWB – Matthew Ellis (Western Springs)

Had to squeeze Matty Ellis into the top side. After all, he was so often the instigator for Western Springs with his searing, sizzling, stunning pace out wide... leading to five goals and five assists – meaning that he directly contributed to 40% of third-placed Western Springs’ goals this MNL. Like Carey, he used to be one of those youngsters that Auckland City rotate around but he’s come into his own since moving to WSAFC. If you didn’t know him before, you do now. This dude is the Electric Swan.

FW – Oscar Faulds (Napier City Rovers)

Although he was born and raised in Sweden, Oscar Faulds considers himself an equal-part New Zealander and has a big ol’ silver fern tattoo on his arm to prove it. One of the reasons he moved here was to try and have a crack at making the Olympic squad earlier in the year. That proved a little too late for him... but the goals were extensive. So much so that he almost didn’t play the National League phase because it took not one but two pro deals in Scandinavia to collapse before he was forced to return to Napier City Rovers, though definitely not with his tail between his legs. Faulds promptly picked up where he left of with a magnificent run of performances, hauling a very good Napier City side into the genuine title contention. A very late defeat against Auckland City ended that dream but Faulds still emerged with six goals and four assists to ensure that all of Aotearoa knows his name (or at least those of us who’ve been paying attention). And there’s a January transfer window opening up in Europe very shortly.

FW – Garbhan Coughlan (Cashmere Technical)

For the third year in a row, Garbhan Coughlan has won the MNL Golden Boot... although for the third year in a row he’s also had to share it. This time not with Gianni Bouzoukis but with Daniel Bunch (and possibly Monty Patterson since it seems that NZF count grand final goals as well). It didn’t feel like Garbs was as triumphantly dominant as last year yet he still scored eight goals in eight appearances. Netted in four straight weeks at one stage. There’s nothing new to be said. We all know how amazing he is.

FW – Monty Patterson (Birkenhead United)

The rightfully crowned MVP. There were other candidates, sure, and Monty’s injury issues over the first few weeks held him back slightly. But even then he was still coming off the bench and having an impact. His presence up top was the Rome that all roads led to for Birkenhead. The focal point. For a fella that used to be known as a tricky winger, his hold-up play as a striker has gotten so good plus he’s a very mature player these days too... and knows exactly where that goal is, as his seven goals and two assists can attest (plus he scored in the final too). It was when Patterson settled into the starting line-up that Birko went next level. We’re talking a goal and assist off the bench in the comeback draw against Wests. We’re talking his hat-trick against the WeeNix. We’re especially talking that match-winning double against Coastal Spirit including a 90+5th minute winning penalty. What a player, what a season.

SECOND ELEVEN

GK – Quillan Roberts (Western Suburbs)

How cool to have an active Guyana international in the competition? Roberts might have had a crack at first eleven status if he hadn’t missed three games along the way. One was for suspension, whoops. The other two were for international duty. Unfortunately, Guyana were conceding as many goals as Western Suburbs were conceding... but that did lead to some heroic goalkeeping performances from this bloke. He was unreal in the 3-3 draw against Birko (including saving a penalty). Tremendous shot-stopper and probably the best ball-playing GK of the 2024 alumni. And he did finally get something tangible for all that in the final round with a clean sheet victory against Eastern Suburbs.

CB – Riley Grover (Coastal Spirit)

David Yoo wasn’t the only Christchurch United lad who made the temporary switch to Coastal Spirit in search of National League footy. Nor was he the only one that instantly settled as though he’d been there all along. Tell you what, Yoo wasn’t even the only bloke who then emerged not only as a fundamental force within the Spirit squad but also used the stage to announce himself to the rest of the nation. Grover’s played a couple years of MNL with the Rams but this was different. Here he wasn’t just a young player getting good minutes, here he was regularly one of the most impressive brothers on the park with his smooth passing and alert defending. Usually a centre-back, sometimes used wide right. He’s a talent.

CB – Danny Kane (Cashmere Technical)

Gotta be honest and say that Tom Schwarz wasn’t quite at his usual heights this year, mostly due to injuries but a little due to age as well sadly, so it was fortunate that Cashy Tech had their Irish contingent to call upon. Specifically in this case: Danny Kane. An Irish youth international back in his day (he’s 27 now) and also a former teammate of Ryan de Vries at Sligo Rovers, Kane brought a certain rugged clarity to the backline. Clever and aware... yet without hesitation when a ball needed winning. Lots of that good backs-to-the-wall stuff that Technical excel at, soaking up pressure then breaking with pace. He was class.

CB – Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)

Also classy, like always, was Adam Mitchell. It can be easy to overlook the ACFC guys sometimes because excellence is expected of them so in a campaign when there were a few stumbles along the way that can count against them more than it perhaps should (Mario Ilich may have suffered from this since his name doesn’t appear in this article). After all, they still made the final and then they still won that final thanks to poise and experience of their senior players. So shout out to Adam Mitchell who played every single game, scored in the win against Western Suburbs, was consistently great, and whipped out more than a couple of defensive highlights along the way.

RWB – Haris Zeb (Birkenhead United)

Dylan Connolly made the first team so Haris Zeb couldn’t be far behind. Both Birko wing-backs were runners but Connolly would run and cross whereas Zeb would run and dribble. Playing mostly on the left edge, he loves to cut inside and throw a few moves on his markers. Different style to DC but equally as effective, also serving up four assists to go with all the skills and thrills.

CM – Jackson Manuel (Western Springs)

With respect also to Wan Gatkek because these two were a tandem in that Swans midfield. Jackson Manuel just had a little more gravy on his plate, is all. Two goals and two assists in amongst his slippery possession play, dropping deep to collect the ball from the backline and pushing high to thread it towards his attackers. Moving like water. Very silky stuff from the former Wellington Phoenix hombre.

CM - Joseph Hopper (Wellington Olympic)

Here we have one of only two Wellington Olympic representatives across the three teams. Jack-Henry Sinclair went close thanks to all of his assists and there’s always a case to be made for Justin Gulley and Ben Mata. But, frankly, just like in 430 BCE when a plague hit Athens during the Peloponnesian War... it wasn’t a good year for the Greeks. Dunno why, probably just some mental/physical/spiritual fatigue catching up after several crazy seasons of success. But while the expected fellas dipped, an unexpected fella took the opportunity to make a name for himself as English-born midfielder Joe Hopper laid down the law. Bouncing from tackle to tackle. Hauling his team forward. Hearty stuff.

LWB – Stipe Ukich (Auckland City)

Not a wing-back but he did play out wide so close enough, don’t read too much into the formations. Ukich faded a little towards the end of the season as he got moved to the bench for three games. He also got swallowed up in the grand final, though he did at least start that match. But, mate, he’s 17 years old and was scrapping away against the best domestic footballers in the country. The speed and skill and shooting are great. Then you add in the physicality that he’s already showing despite his age, and you know what else? He’s got more than a bit of mongrel about him. That’s going to help him heaps when (not if but when) he finds his way to Europe on the pro circuit. Legitimately one of the most exciting prospects we’ve got at the moment. From his winning goal vs Wellington Olympic to his decisive moment to beat Napier City or the energy he brought off the bench in the almost-comeback vs the Nix Reserves... there were more than enough shining moments to prove it during these Nats.

FW – Emiliano Tade (Western Springs)

Apparently he’s retired now, leaning into his coaching career instead. That’s a bloody shame not only because of the National League legend that he is... but also because of how wonderful he was for Western Springs this year. A complete new lease on life after moving from ACFC. He was away working on his badges for the first couple weeks and when he returned, what do ya know, Western Springs immediately found their consistency and went on a healthy winning streak. Tade still had those flashes of unstoppable genius. He still somehow glimpses into the future to see passes that others can’t even imagine. Maybe they’ll coax him out for a few more games next year but probably not, in which case we’ll always have the memories.

FW – Daniel Bunch (Birkenhead United)

The 32yo Englishman has played for a few different clubs in NZ and at precisely none of them has he looked like this version of himself. He’s always been a busy, aggressive, determined wing/striker and often the end product hasn’t fully blossomed. Seems he just needed to find a club that suited him because damn bro what a season. Eight goals all up, getting him a share of the Golden Boot. Three were penalties and most of the rest were his now trademarked efforts sliding past a defender on the turn and then using those long limbs to lash the ball across the keeper. Bunch was so efficient with that and nobody could stop him. Goalkeepers tremble when they see that shiny noggin looming.

FW – Myer Bevan (Auckland City)

It took him a while to build into the season, missing the first two weeks as his contract got sorted and then showing signs of having been away from the game for most of the year. But he still managed to chip away with goals from the penalty spot as he got his legs under him and by the end of the campaign, when it mattered most, he was superb. A gruelling, selfless, physical display in the win against Napier City. The 151-second hat-trick against Coastal Spirit to qualify for the final. Then another gritty and self-sacrificial one in the grand final. The hold-up play is so good and the workrate’s gone up since the last time he was at this level... and he was pretty good back then too.

THIRD ELEVEN

GK – Conor Tracey (Auckland City)

Tough choice between himself and Silvio Rodic, with Ellis Hare-Reid also in wider contention. But, hey, Conor Tracey kept three clean sheets in seven appearances. He also saved a Ben Mata penalty and that alone deems him worthy. He’s a class act that brings the goods year after year and has a pretty hefty set of winners medals these days. Although, while keeping Oscar Faulds and Alex Steinwascher out was hard enough... next year he gets to try and do the same to Harry Kane at the Club World Cup.

RB - Lewis Partridge (Wellington Phoenix Reserves)

Watch out, it’s another exciting fullback in the WeeNix ranks. Lukas Kelly-Heald’s already played heaps in the A-League. Matt Sheridan’s on his way to joining him in that status. Xuan Loke ain’t too far behind them. And here in the ressies was Lewis Partridge charging up the line (usually from the right, sometimes on the left) and doing impressive things like scoring a belter of a goal in an upset win against Wellington Olympic.

CB – Dylan Gardiner (Wellington Phoenix Reserves)

The WeeNix are always a fluctuating team, with a deep academy of players to choose from, first-teamers coming in and out of the picture, and national age teams whisking lads away. Dylan Gardiner doesn’t have an A-League scholarship deal though he did make the bench for their Aussie Cup game, but perhaps he should after playing every single game for the WeeNix during the MNL and throwing down outrageously good displays in the back-to-back wins against Auckland City and Wellington Olympic to highlight a full term of quality from the tall defender. Watching this man launch into headers or heedlessly throw himself at shots... the legacy of Finn Surman is alive and well at Nix HQ.

CB – Aaryan Raj (Eastern Suburbs)

At first thought, you’d have figured Aaryan Raj would have Nikko Boxall for a CB partner, a capped All Whites international with a long pro career. Instead Boxy only played once and got sent off... so Raj was predominantly paired with James Mitchell or Riley Dalziell – both teenagers. A year ago Raj was the new kid on the block, establishing himself in the Nats with his silky touch, his powerful heading, and his unbreakable composure. This year he was already having to step into the role of a senior player and guess what? It was a role that fit him like a glove. Probably the only guy in the country who’ll put his foot on the ball and just stand there waiting so as to invite the press. Panic is not a word in his vocabulary.

LB – Stephen Hoyle (Napier City Rovers)

A regular sight throughout an excellent NCR campaign: A pass being played either in behind or through the Rovers backline and Stephen Hoyle stepping across to shield the runner away from it and diffuse the situation. You simply do not get past him like that. Chuck in his banger of a long-ball and this guy really had some tremendous performances. He wasn’t alone in that for NCR, with Matthew Jones going very close to getting this selection and Jim Hoyle and George Andrew also doing fine work. But Stevie was the one who most often had people wondering: How do you even get past this guy?

CM – Campbell Strong (Eastern Suburbs)

In an extremely young Lilywhites side that often had more under-20s players than over-20s in their starting line-ups, 22yo Campbell Strong got to be one of the senior fellas (similar to the stuff said about Aaryan Raj). Good thing then that he already played like one, a very assured defensive midfielder with fine passing rhythm and even better defensive positioning. It was hard mahi for a team whose only victory came in week one and the graft gets recognition.

CM – Joe Hoole (Coastal Spirit)

Here’s another one of those hard-working midfielders, all action with no traction. It was Joe Hoole who scored Coastal Spirit’s first ever National League goal – in week two away to Western Springs. He also bagged one in the win against Eastern Suburbs. Hoole and Mason Stearn forged a great partnership in the middle. Hoole didn’t miss a start. He didn’t miss many tackles either (and if he did you probably knew about it).

CM – Dylan Manickum (Auckland City)

Rather savage that the only game Manickum didn’t start this term was the grand final. But then he assisted the winning goal in extra time and that turned out to be a masterstroke from Albert Riera, arranging his team in such a way that they were able to finish the game with maximum big game experience on the pitch. Manickum didn’t score a goal until week nine but if you think he was lagging then you weren’t paying attention. He’s one of those guys whose clever yet subtle contributions don’t necessarily show up live but when the replays roll it’s wild how often he’s involved deeper in City’s positive moves, pulling strings and building things.

FW – Isa Prins (Wellington Olympic)

Now here’s the other Welly Olympic chap. It’s 19yo Isa Prins who got a few reps last season, then had a super cameo in the Chatham Cup final, and used this MNL campaign to put himself on the map. Mint left foot. Nice and direct. Scores them and sets them up, with two goals and four assists. He had some very good attackers around him but arguably it was the young one who was the most consistently effective.

FW – Adam Hewson (Napier City Rovers)

Good yarns over here from a wide man who has had to be pretty patient in his career. He got some Southern United reps back in the day. He also spent six months in the Wellington Phoenix Academy. For the last few seasons he’s been back in Dunedin with Green Island but he made the move to Napier this year and that was pretty astute of him. Four goals and two assists in the MNL, putting his speedy running to good use outside guys like Oscar Faulds and Jordan Annear. In what should have been a very competitive position, Hewson ended up starting all nine matches – the highlight probably being the winner he scored against Cashmere Tech.

FW – Alex Steinwascher (Coastal Spirit)

There were big raps on Alejandro Steinwascher after the American was the only guy able to stay within the general vicinity of Garbhan Coughlan’s goals during the Southern League. Turns out folks were telling the truth. Steinwascher was ever-present for Coastal, perhaps taking a few weeks to settle into the National League, not getting his first goal until week four, but his influence was always clear. Six goals and three assists tells that story pretty easily. Very clever striker with a knack for funkiness.

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