Words: Staff Writers
Image: Paul Smith

It is the single highest achievement for a player in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland – but whose performances in 2016 set them apart enough to be crowned the competition’s Most Valuable Player?

We’ve reviewed the footage, scoured the team sheets and split more than a few hairs to come up with the names that could be well in contention for this year’s honour.

 

Trent Clulow – Brisbane Strikers FC
(Image: Michele Pitman)

There was a barely an attacking raid for Strikers on their surge to the Premiership title that didn’t see Trent Clulow in some way involved. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder chimed in with nine goals but delivered the final pass for plenty more. A near spotless disciplinary record also sets him apart – with just the single yellow card through the league season.

 

Mustafa Jafari – SWQ Thunder FC
(Image: Paul Smith)

2016 was a break-out year for Mustafa Jafari as he provided Thunder with the killer edge in front of goal that had eluded them for so long. His return of 12 goals lifted him top of the club’s all-time goal scoring chart and was a crucial factor in their best ever season – cementing his status as a local fan favourite. His penchant for exuberant goal celebrations lit-up the highlights reels and we expect another flip or two should he take out the MVP honour.

 

Justyn McKay – Gold Coast City FC
(Image: Chris Simpson)

Another year and another season of consummate performances from City’s influential midfield leader puts him firmly in the MVP frame. His killer distribution and ceaseless engine were once again ever present as the Surfsiders pushed until the closing rounds for top spot in the league. One of the league's most consistent performers over several seasons it is surely an oversight that he is yet to win an MVP crown and few would begrudge McKay finally claiming the honour for the first time this year.

 

Daniel Byrne – Olympic FC
(Image: Patrick Kearney)

Advancing years are proving no impediment to Olympic’s ‘captain fantastic’, who continues to show-up younger, brasher opponents despite notching his 33^rd birthday early in the season. Leading by example through Olympic’s rollercoaster season, Byrne scored seven goals but set-up plenty more to steady the ship when needed. Could this be the year he finally breaks through for the MVP title?

 

Jamie Carroll – FNQ FC Heat
(Image: FNQ FC Heat)

Heat caught the imagination of the state’s far north with their best ever season in the national second tier and captain Carroll proved an influential part of their charge to the Grand Final. Fifteen goals all-told in the league meant he was never far from the headlines week-to-week and it would seem fitting that he could grab one more headline before year’s end. In a year of so-close-but-so-far for the Cairns club, surely they’ve got to win something?

 

Graham Fyfe – Redlands United FC
(Image: Ray Gardner)

Nobody has yet claimed multiple MVP titles, but if anyone can buck that trend this year it is last year’s winner Fyfe. Overcoming injury and rapidly advancing years his performances once again dominated the highlight reels as Redlands stormed all the way to the Championship title. The only thing standing in his way is the fact so many of his teammates also had outstanding seasons and will have provided plenty of competition for the weekly 3-2-1's.

 

Alex Janovsky – Moreton Bay United FC
(Image: Chris Simpson)

It was a first season of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football to remember for Alex Janovsky as he cemented himself as a force in the Jets midfield. Some stunning finishes stick in the memory but it’s the less glamorous but equally vital work in defence and transition that sees him a contender for MVP. Already has the endorsement of his club with recent confirmation he will captain the side next year – maybe they know something we don’t?