Greatest NSL Teams - The Finals Series Era (1984-1994/95)

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GK Robert Zabica - Adelaide City (1988-1993/94) - One of, if not the greatest keeper in the history of the league, Zabica came to the NSL from Western Australia as a 24 year old and became a Socceroo two years later - a position he held throughout the early 1990s. Zabica had the best clean sheets per game ratio of all keepers who kept at least 40 clean sheets and played in three consecutive grand finals for Adelaide City (winning two). Zabica won the NSL Double in the 1991/92 season and was the first recipient of the Reusch NSL Goalkeeper of the Year award.

RB Alan Davidson - South Melbourne (1984, 1986, 1994/95), Melbourne Croatia (1987-1991/92) - The best Australian right back of the 1980s and one of the country's best footballers of the era - Davidson was a Socceroos regular and played in three NSL Grand Finals. After helping South Melbourne win their first championship, Davidson became one of the few Australians to have played in England's top flight before returning to Australia and helped Melbourne Croatia reach two grand finals (their first and second in the NSL era).

CB Milan Ivanović - Adelaide City (1989-1994/95) - Arguably the NSL's greatest defensive import and one the best overall, Ivanović formed the league's greatest defensive partnership with Alex Tobin and helped City reach four consecutive grand finals during the era. Ivanović made his Socceroos debut at the age of 30, becoming a regular thereafter alongside Tobin and won a Johnny Warren Medal and Joe Marston Medal.

CB Alex Tobin - Adelaide City (1984-1994/95) - As consistent and reliable a player as any in the history of the national league, Tobin was an ever-present member of both Adelaide City and the Socceroos during the era. Tobin started his career as a left back before becoming a dominant central defender next to team mate Milan Ivanović and was part of three championship-winning sides, winning the Joe Marston Medal on two of those occasions (first player to do so).

LB Graham Jennings - Sydney Olympic (1984-1985), Sydney Croatia (1986-1989), APIA (1989/90-1991/92), Newcastle Breakers (1993/94) - After being converted from a winger to a full back, few players dominated the left side of the pitch like "Flash" Jennings. The regular Socceroos left back of the 1980s, Jennings won a cup with both Olympic and Croatia and played in losing grand finals for both sides.

RCM Josip Biškić - Melbourne Croatia (1984-1994/95) - One of the league's greatest imports, Biškić was the architect of Croatia's successful sides prior to their first NSL Championship. Biškić played in their losing cup final in their inaugural NSL season and improved with age as he captained the club in three NSL Grand Finals.

CM Žarko Odžakov - Preston (1984), Sydney Croatia (1985-1987), Blacktown City (1989-1989/90) - Yugoslavia's loss was Australia's gain when Odžakov came to the NSL and became one of it's greatest players. One of the most complete footballers to ever play in Australia, Odžakov represented the Socceroos and was a star for both Preston and Croatia, helping the latter reach two consecutive Northern Conference Preliminary Finals and win a NSL Cup.

LCM Oscar Crino - South Melbourne (1984-1985), Footscray (1987-1989), Preston (1989/90-1990/91) - Despite an injury-interrupted career, Crino was without a doubt one of the most technically gifted and creative footballers to ever come through the junior ranks of Australian football. Crino was highly influential in South's first NSL Championship and played some exceptional football later in his NSL career despite limited success.

RF Paul Trimboli - Sunshine (1987), South Melbourne (1988-1994/95) - One of the league's greatest and most successful players - Trimboli created and scored many important goals for South during the era. Trimboli scored in South's 1989/90 NSL Cup Final win over Sydney Olympic and set up their equaliser in their 1990/91 NSL Grand Final win over Melbourne Croatia.

CF Zlatko Nastevski - Marconi (1987-1990/91), Wollongong Macedonia (1990/91), Sydney Olympic (1991/92) - One of the most technically gifted footballers to play in the national league, Nastevski was a star for Marconi during a successful period for the club. The Macedonian forward scored in consecutive grand final wins for Marconi and won both the NSL Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards in the 1989 season.

LF Mark Viduka - Melbourne Knights (1992/93-1994/95) - The irrepressible striker burst on to the scene at a young age and took the league by storm. In the first two and a half seasons of his senior career Viduka won - two Johnny Warren Medals, two U-21 Player of the Year awards and two NSL Golden Boot awards. Viduka played in two NSL Grand Finals and one NSL Cup Final, winning the NSL Double in the 1994/95 season and leaving the league with the best goals per game ratio of all-time.

Coach Zoran Matić - Adelaide City (1986-1994/95) - A former defender for the club, Matić returned to Adelaide City in 1986 as head coach and led the side to three championships and a cup. A strict disciplinarian, Matić's pragmatic approach to his "parabola" system saw City become a regular contender throughout the 1990s and maintain an impressive balance between attack and defence as was named NSL Coach of the Year twice.

Bench

GK Zeljko Kalac - Sydney Croatia (1989/90-1994/95) - Kalac was a key part in Croatia becoming contenders for the first time since the 1980s. In the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons Kalac kept 27 clean sheets and became the first keeper to win multiple NSL Goalkeeper of the Year awards. Kalac played in Croatia's losing 1992/93 NSL Cup Final before conceding just 20 goals (including finals) in the 1994/95 season and earned himself a move to Europe, becoming the league's first million dollar man.

DEF Washington González - Melita Eagles (1989/90-1990/91) - A former Uruguay national team player, González was simply brilliant during his two seasons in the NSL with Melita. Operating as a sweeper for Melita, González read the play as well as any defender to have played in the league and was an incredibly accurate free kick taker. González helped Melita win their first NSL Cup before hanging up his boots at the age of 35.

MID Mike Petersen - Heidelberg (1984), Brunswick (1985-1986, 1988), South Melbourne (1989-1994/95) - One of the most technically gifted Australian-born players of all-time, Petersen missed the NSL Finals Series just twice during the era. Petersen was instrumental in Heidelberg reaching the Southern Conference Final before joining Brunswick and put in a man of the match performance in the second leg of their grand final win over Sydney City. Petersen later joined South Melbourne and played in their 1990/91 NSL Grand Final win over Melbourne Croatia.

MID Željko Adžić - Melbourne Croatia (1989-1989/90) - One of the few foreign imports who went on to bigger things in his post-NSL career, Adžić was a highly skilled player who operated in an advanced midfield role and was a deadly finisher. In his first season Adžić helped Croatia qualify for the finals series for the first time in four seasons and won the Johnny Warren Medal in his second season.

FWD Frank Farina - Canberra City (1984), Sydney City (1985-1986), Marconi (1987-1988) - A star player for three different clubs during the era, Farina was one of the most talented footballers in the league and an ever-present member of the Socceroos. Farina scored a winning brace in the 1986 NSL Cup Final for Sydney City before joining Marconi where he became: a two-time NSL Player of the Year and NSL Golden Boot winner and was involved in both goals in Marconi's 1988 NSL Grand Final win over Sydney Croatia.