Simon Colosimo

NSL Career: Carlton, South Melbourne, Perth Glory, Parramatta Power 105 (13) / 1997/98 - 2003/04

Socceroos Career: 26 (3) A Internationals / 2 (0) B Internationals

One of the most talented players ever produced in the NSL, Colosimo was destined for big things before a knee injury sustained in an international friendly derailed his career. A brilliant reader of the play, Colosimo played equally well in defence or midfield as a technician and played in four NSL Grand Finals with four different clubs.

Colosimo began his junior career with Brunswick before earning a scholarship to the AIS Soccer Program. Following his graduation from the AIS, Colosimo joined NSL side Carlton for the 1997/98 season and made his league debut at the age of 18. Colosimo quickly became a regular in the side as they finished second in their inaugural season. Part of a well-balanced Carlton side that included future stars Marco Bresciano and Vince Grella, Colosimo started in all four of Carlton's finals series matches, including their grand final loss to South Melbourne. 

Following his impressive debut season, Colosimo made his full international debut at the age of 19 and started the 1998/99 NSL season in scintillating form as a sweeper, scoring three goals in six league games, before sustaining an injury that kept him out for several weeks. Colosimo returned to form playing in a number of different positions but was unable to help Carlton qualify for the finals series before gaining interest from top European clubs such as Bayern Munich and Panathinaikos. 

With no A internationals scheduled for the national team in 1999, Colosimo represented the Socceroos in B internationals against European champions Manchester United during the 1999/00 NSL off-season. In the second match, Colosimo sustained a serious knee injury following a crude tackle by Manchester striker Andy Cole which kept him out of action until late in the 1990/00 season. 

Colosimo quickly returned to form and helped the side reach the preliminary final, losing two-one to eventual champions Wollongong before returning to the Socceroos fold. At the start of the 2000/01 season, Colosimo made plans to join EPL side Manchester City and continued playing for Carlton before they folded and joined South Melbourne for the remainder of the season. 

Colosimo helped South reach the grand final, where they lost to Wollongong two-one, before completing the move to Manchester, who had been relegated back to the First Division. Colosimo struggled for game time, making just six league appearances off the bench and trialled with a number of clubs across Europe before moving mid-season to the Belgian First Division with Royal Antwerp. 

Struggling with consistency since his knee reconstruction, Colosimo was unable to make a league appearance for Antwerp and missed out on Socceroos selection before returning to Australia to play for Perth Glory. Colosimo made his Perth debut in round 22 of the 2002/03 season and was used as a substitute until the Championship Series (finals series) where he cemented his spot and helped the side win their first NSL Championship. 

For his work in midfield, which included setting up defender Jamie Harnwell for the opening goal with a corner-kick, Colosimo was awarded the Joe Marston Medal in Perth's two-nil grand final win over Sydney Olympic. Following the grand final, Colosimo joined Parramatta Power for the final season of the NSL and returned to the national team fold as he played in his fourth NSL Grand Final in which Parramatta lost one-nil to former club Perth. 

Following the demise of the NSL, Colosimo moved to Asia where he joined Pahang and won the 2004 Malaysian Super League. Colosimo returned to Perth for the inaugural A-League season and represented the Western Australian side in the first two seasons of the competition before going out on a short-team loan to Turkish Süper Lig side Sivasspor. 

Following his time in Turkey, Colosimo returned to Perth and replaced Jamie Harnwell as captain for the 2007/08 season before moving to Sydney FC. After an injury-interrupted first season at Sydney, Colosimo returned to form as a centre-back during the 2009/10 season and converted Sydney's first penalty in their grand final shoot-out victory over Melbourne Victory. 

Colosimo was awarded the Joe Marston Medal for the second time, becoming just the second player after Alex Tobin to do so, before a failed transfer saw miss the chance to play for FC Seoul in the K League Classic. With Korea off the table, Colosimo joined franchise club Melbourne Heart (later Melbourne City) as their inaugural captain for the 2010/11 season. Colosimo spent three seasons at the club, helping them reach the finals series in the 2011/12 season before moving to India to play for Australian coach Arthur Pappas's I-League side Dempo. 

Colosimo returned to Australia after one season in India and played on in the NPL Victoria with Goulburn Valley Suns, Werribee City and Bulleen Lions - as well as stints with Dandenong Thunder and Whittlesea Rangers in the lower divisions - before hanging up his boots at the age of 39.