Words: Staff Writers

The Supporters’ Team of the Year competition is your chance to reward those PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland players that have shown outstanding skill, leadership and entertainment value over the course of the 2014 season.

Only players nominated by the senior head coaches at the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs are eligible for selection. However, the choice of the final eleven players is entirely up to you – the supporters.

To assist with selecting your Supporters’ Team of the Year, we profile those players nominated for the three midfield spots.

Alex Smith (FNQ FC Heat)

Receiving the most nominations of any player in the league, there is no doubt of the importance of Smith to Heat’s fortunes. Formerly with Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix, the American midfielder proved equally adept as a playmaker and an attacking outlet, leading Heat’s goal scorers with 18 goals this season and helping the team to a second placed league finish. He also scored Heat’s sole goal of their historic Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 appearance against Sydney United 58.

Kevin Fraser (Northern Fury FC)

Fury’s sole nominee, Fraser forged a formidable partnership with Fury leading goal scorer Braedyn Crowley for the Townsville club this season. Tight on the turn and demonstrating tidy control at pace, Fraser came to the attention of Hyundai A-League clubs before injury robbed him of the chance to display his wares for Newcastle Jets in the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup.

Mat Biggins (Brisbane City FC)

Originally from the north of England, City skipper Biggins proved again this year he is the heart and soul of the capital city club. Intimidating in defence and cunning in attack, Biggins’ versatility saw him alter between both attacking and holding midfield roles. He netted eight goals in 24 appearances as he guided City to a seventh placed finish to the regular season.

Jake McLean (Olympic FC)

Canny midfielder McLean captured the ethos of the competition in 2014, continuing to develop his game to a level at which he starred on the national stage. His three Westfield FFA Cup goals aside, McLean grew into a key player for Olympic FC as he supplied the goals for Reuben Way and Danny Byrne while adding an impressive eight of his own. At just 21, his agility and quick feet can continue to confound opposition markers for years to come

Ken Dougall (Brisbane City FC)

The 2013 NPL Queensland Young Player of the Year, Dougall took the next step in his career this season when he departed City midway through the campaign to join Dutch club Telstar. The former Brisbane Roar youth team player’s two-footed distribution and well-timed forward runs were sorely missed by last year’s Grand Finalists, however the 21-year-old still netted six goals in ten appearances.

Justyn McKay (Palm Beach SC)

Palm Beach dominated this year’s competition and a large part of that was thanks to skipper McKay’s commanding presence in midfield. The 28-year-old directed the play in the heart of the Sharks’ formation, delivering plenty of promising opportunities for his side’s attacking forays down the flanks. His outstanding sportsmanship disguises a hard-nosed competitive edge that saw him score twice this season as Sharks claimed the Premiership and Championship titles.

Devante Clut (Brisbane Roar FC NYL)

Few players hold as much promise as the 18-year-old Roar midfielder. Clut made eight appearances for the Hyundai A-League club’s youth team in the early part of the season before returning to train with the senior squad in preparation for the upcoming campaign. His energy, distribution and control figured prominently in Roar’s early season charge up the ladder, and was sorely missed in the back end of the season as Roar finished the season in eighth place.

Graham Fyfe (Redlands United FC)

The 31-year-old Celtic product showed he still has plenty to offer this season as he again took control of the Red Devils midfield. A seasoned competitor and set-piece specialist, Fyfe scored ten goals in 24 appearances and terrorised defences with his passing and shooting accuracy with either foot. Few midfielders possess the guile of this canny operator.

Troy Ruthven (Palm Beach SC)

Another player to take his game to the next level this season, Ruthven was a constant presence in Sharks’ midfield in the holding midfield role. Many of Sharks’ quick counter attacks began with Ruthven winning back possession for his side in the centre of the pitch. Also a threat from set-pieces, Ruthven scored six goals and promises to be even better next season.

Jared Austin (Moreton Bay United FC)

Recruited from Jets community club Albany Creek Excelsior, Austin made an immediate impact at the higher level this season. The 24-year-old’s speed, stamina, all-action style and flexibility made him one of the first names on Jets’ team sheet. Austen scored four times in 21 appearances, moving between attacking and deeper midfield roles and was a key supply line for the competition’s highest scoring front line.

Terry Hughes (Olympic FC)

Combining stamina, a silky left-foot and tenacious tackling, Hughes added another dimension to Olympic’s midfield in 2014. The box-to-box midfielder topped the league tally for yellow cards but can point to the statistic as evidence of his capacity to reach numerous contests, a quality which also enabled the first-time NPL Queensland player to pop up with six goals. His injury early in the Grand Final ultimately proved a blow his team couldn't recover from.

How to Vote For Your Team of the Year

To vote for your Supporters' Team of the Year, and be in the running to win a PlayStation 4 console and a copy of EA Sports FIFA 14, simply follow this link to the online voting form.