Sergio Melta

NSL Career: Adelaide City 447 (65) / 1977 - 1994/95

Socceroos Career: 1 (0) A International / 1 (0) B International

One of the NSL's longest serving players, Sergio Melta was an Adelaide City stalwart that was unfortunate not to have represented the national on more occasions. Melta possessed a massive engine that served him well in to his thirties and was an accomplished footballer - clever on the ball, could score goals and was a great leader with or without the armband.

Melta came to Adelaide City in 1976 from Birkalla (South Australian Division Two) where he started his junior career and made his NSL debut at the age of 18. Developing in to a promising player who could play in midfield or as a full-back, Melta struggled to cement his spot in the experienced City side after the 1977 season, but came off the bench in City's 1979 NSL Cup Final victory over St. George. 

During the early 1980s, Melta became a City regular and one the most talented players in the league, winning the 1984 NSL Player of the Year award. Former team mate Zoran Matić became City coach in the 1986 season when Melta was one of the more experienced players in the squad and inspired his younger team mates as City won the 1986 NSL Championship after making his full international debut during the season.

Melta was part of the City side that won the inaugural Oceania Club Championship in 1987, converting City's second penalty as the one-off game against New Zealand's Mount Wellington finished in a penalty shoot-out. City missed out on the NSL Finals Series in 1987 and 1988 before 38 year old club legend Bugsy Nyskohus stayed-on for part of 1989 season in order to become the first NSL player to reach the 300-game mark when Melta replaced him as captain and led City to the 1989 NSL Cup Final, defeating Sydney Olympic two-nil.

Moving in to his thirties, Melta was a key part of the City side that became a dominant force in the NSL. Melta wore the armband for City until the coming of age of Socceroos star Alex Tobin during the 1991/92 season but continued to be a leader in the squad. After two failed finals series in the 1989/90 and 1990/91 seasons, City progressed to the 1991/92 NSL Grand Final following their NSL Cup title during the season (Melta missed the final stages due to injury). The veteran returned from injury to come off the bench in City's preliminary final win over South Melbourne before starting in the club's grand final victory over Melbourne Croatia.

Alternating between his number 6 role in midfield and full-back as club veteran Paul Shillabeer's career came to an end, Melta played in three consecutive NSL Grand Finals between 1993 and 1995, winning the 1993/94 NSL Championship. Melta retired from the NSL following City's 1994/95 NSL Grand Final loss to Melbourne Knights at the age of 36.

Melta ended his career as the NSL's all-time games record holder until the record was overtaken by team mate Alex Tobin during the 2000/01 season. Melta later became a coach in the SA Super League/NPL South Australia and was an assistant coach at A-League club Adelaide United where he was caretaker for a single round during the 2012/13 season.