Greatest NSL Teams - Phillips Soccer League Era (1977-1983)

 4-4-2

GK Allan Maher - Marconi (1977-1983) - Barely challenged in goals for Marconi between 1977 and 1982, Maher was part of the 1980 championship team and played in two cup finals, winning one. Maher earned more Socceroos caps during the era than any other keeper.

RB Bugsy Nyskohus - Adelaide City (1977-1983) - Nyskohus had represented the national team prior to the formation of the Phillips Soccer League and had years of experience plying his trade in South Australia. The South Australian defender aged like a fine wine and barely missed a game between 1978 and 1983, during which time he played in two cup finals - winning one in which he scored the equaliser.

CB Ivo Prskalo - Marconi (1977-1982) - Came to Marconi following a successful career in his native Yugoslavia and made his Socceroos debut at the age of 31. Prskalo was one of the most consistent, fittest and classiest defenders in Australia during the era and won a league championship and cup.

CB Tony Henderson - Canberra City (1977-1978), Marconi (1979-1983) -  One of the best imports during the era, Henderson played in a libero role and was a star for Canberra, Marconi and the national team. Henderson was a club champion at Canberra before winning a championship and cup with Marconi.

LB Jim Tansey - Heidelberg (1977-1983) - The apple not falling far from the tree was the case for Tansey whose father Jimmy was a left back for Everton in the 1950s. Tansey was a composed and talented defender who was a Socceroos regular during the era and helped Heidelberg finish runners-up twice, win a play-off series and played in three cup finals.

RM Joe Watson - Sydney City (1977-1983) - The peak of Watson's career came during theis era, when he ran circles around defenders with his dribbling ability and endurance. Watson was a key part of the dominant Sydney City side that won four championships and finished runners-up twice in the first seven seasons of the league.

CM Peter Katholos - St George (1979-1980), Sydney Olympic (1981-1983) - One of the most talented players ever produced in the league, Katholos made his league debut at 18 years of age and was named the league's Player of the Year at just 21 years of age. Katholos played in a losing cup final for St George in his debut season before winning the NSL Cup in 1983 with Sydney Olympic.

CM Roberto Vieri - Marconi (1977-1980, 1982) - Without question the biggest permanent signing for the league during the era - Vieri's ability to find team mates with his incredible vision and passing range, as well as his ability to score, saw him entertain crowds and bring success to Marconi.

LM Zdravko Lujić - Footscray (1978-1983) - Lujić was a player who possessed incredible speed and crossing ability - creating many goals during his national league career. Arguably Footscray's greatest player during the NSL era, Lujić stood out in a side that underachieved and consistently finished near the bottom of the ladder.

ST John Kosmina - West Adelaide (1977, 1979-1980), Adelaide City (1978), Sydney City (1981-1983) - John Kosmina was one of the national team's highest profile players of the era and a star of the national league. After being named the league's inaugural U-21 Player of the Year, Kosmina became the first player in the league to earn a move to Europe before returning to become one it's most prolific scorers - winning the golden boot in 1982 by scoring a record 22 goals (a record held until 1996).

ST Mark Jankovics - St George (1977), Marconi (1978-1983) - Jankovics had earned a Socceroos cap prior to the formation of the PSL and became a regular during this era when he became one of the most electrifying forwards in the league. Jankovics formed an impressive front third at Marconi with Eddie Krncevic and Peter Sharne and earned team success and personal honours during his time at the club.

Coach Eddie Thomson - Sydney City (1980-1983) - Thomson was a championship player for Sydney City in 1977 before finishing his playing career as player-coach of their 1980 championship side. Thomson remained City's head coach on a full-time basis and led the side to back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982 - becoming the first person to win the league as a player and coach, the first coach to win multiple championships and the first (and only) to complete a three-peat.

Bench

GK Todd Clarke - Sydney City (1977-1983) - If the saying that "every championship team has a great keeper" is true than Todd Clarke deserves a spot in this side. Clarke was the national team's number one custodian before suffering an ACL injury during the inaugural PSL season. The South Australian keeper overcame injury and competition for his spot at Sydney City to claim four championship medals and won two play-off series tournaments.

DEF Alex Robertson - Sydney City (1977, 1981-1983) - The sweeper in three of Sydney City's four championship sides, Robertson helped City win the inaugural PSL Championship before returning to Scotland to play league football, a rare opportunity at the time. The Scottish sweeper returned to Australia a more experienced player and became one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league.

MID Murray Barnes - Sydney City (1977-1983) - A versatile player who captained both Sydney City and the Socceroos during the era, Barnes was a big part of the dominant City side that won four championships and two play-off series. A no-nonsense footballer, Barnes scored many goals from midfield and was inspirational on and off the pitch.

MID Jim Campbell - Heidelberg (1977-1983) - One of the best midfielders of the era, Campbell scored 52 league goals during the era from midfield. Campbell helped Heidelberg finish league runners-up twice, win a play-off series and played in three cup finals - scoring in the 1982 final.

FWD Ken Boden - Newcastle KB (1978-1979), Sydney City (1980-1983) - It was a hard decision to leave out players such as Dez Marton, Phil O'Connor, Gary Cole, Eddie Krncevic and Doug Brown - but I chose Boden for his talent and success. Boden was the only player to win both the Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards at a Newcastle club, was the league's highest paid player for a time and won three championships with Sydney City.