Footballers from Hyundai A-League clubs come in plenty of shapes and sizes. There are the rangy and powerful goalkeepers, to the slight and nimble attackers. So when it comes to the biggest of the big and the smallest of the small, which players stack up... or down, as the case may be?
How’s the weather up there?
Some tasks on a football field rely largely on a player’s ability to exert their physical presence on an opponent. Centre halves and goalkeepers are generally tall, trading speed and agility for strength and aerial prowess. There are of course exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, it’s fairly common.
In the Hyundai A-League, players don’t come any taller than Adelaide United’s Robert Cornthwaite. Standing at an impressive 197cm, Cornthwaite is something of a rarity in football. Playing on the right side of defence, it is strange to see the towering Cornthwaite standing outside of veteran centre half Michael Valkanis, who stands almost six inches shorter. Players of 197cm are usually closer to the aerial action. Having added considerably to his two starts in 2005/06, it appears that Adelaide manager John Kosmina is quite pleased with the progress the lanky 21 year-old has made this season.
The second tallest player in the league happens to be one of Cornthwaite’s United teammates. At 195cm, goalkeeper Robert Bajic is just one centimetre shorter than Qantas Socceroos ’keeper Mark Schwarzer. With such height and a frame to match, Bajic is certainly an intimidating presence in the Adelaide goal. Queensland Roar center half Sasa Ognenovski is the same height as Bajic, and has started all of his side’s games this season, providing a strong aerial presence.
Tallest among the strikers is Ognenovskis’ teammate Reinaldo, who at 194cm provides an aerial threat for even the tallest of the Hyundai A-League’s defenders. As is often the case, there was much hype made of the Brazilian when he arrived early last season, due mainly to his height. Although he has not been prolific, Reinaldo has won many fans with his ability to act as a target man up front.
Height in the midfield is rare, and not essential. But for those of you who must know, Joel Griffiths and Adam D’Apuzzo of the Jets are the “tall timber” of the Hyundai A-League midfield, both standing at a modest 185cm.
Good things, small packages
The little men of the Australian game can still impact hugely on the field. It’s not the size that counts, it’s how you shoot it.
Let’s start from the bottom. At 165cm, Massimo Murdocca of the Roar is the shortest player currently in the Hyundai A-League. Playing on the right side of midfield, Murdocca more than makes up for his lack of height with his pace, stamina and a high work rate. Such traits, as well as a skillful and assured touch, are essential for a smaller man to compete at a high level.
Adelaide United doesn’t discriminate on height. Not only do they have the league’s two tallest players, but also its second shortest. Injured midfielder Lucas Pantelis measures in at 166cm, which is three centimetres shorter than his guest player teammate Romario. The Brazilian legend never let a lack of height get in the way of his goal scoring exploits, and has proved over the years that he is just as adept at scoring goals with his head as he is with his feet.
Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!The heavyweights
But for a few giant defenders, the list of the heaviest players in the league is dominated by the men between the posts: the goalkeepers. An intimidating presence in goal can be an invaluable asset to a team, as they marshal the defence and smother scoring chances.
The heaviest player in the league is also the youngest. Goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski, 18, is listed at 104kg by Perth Glory, and was called in to regular action this year, when first-choice keeper Jason Petkovic was sidelined by injury. Vrteski is the only player to weigh in at more than 100kg.
At 99kg, Adelaide ’keeper Daniel Beltrame and Mariners defender Paul O’Grady are the next heaviest, closely followed by another two ’keepers, Mariner Danny Vukovic (98kg) and Roar custodian Liam Reddy (96kg).
The featherweights
With the big men throwing their considerable weight around, there are a number of players who would do well to keep clear, or run the risk of being trampled. Not surprisingly, it is the shorter men who barely trouble the scales.
What is surprising, however, is just how light the Hyundai A-League’s shortest player is, compared with some of the others. Weighing in at just 60kg, Massimo Murdocca is a full five kilograms lighter than the next player on the list, New Zealand Knight Jonti Richter. A five centimetre height difference between the two may explain this to some extent, but even when compared with teammate Lucas Pantelis, who is six kilos heavier but only one centimetre taller, Murdocca is clearly in a weight division of his own.
At 185cm, Jets midfielder Joel Griffiths is the tallest player to weigh less than 70kg, making him a good candidate for the league’s lankiest player.
The stats
Despite measuring up at a lofty 200cm, Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch is a beanpole. He is well and truly a member of the featherweight club. The tallest player to ever represent England, the tall fella weighs just 73kg.
Height is not necessarily a must-have for ’keepers and defenders. Italian defender and European player of 2006 Fabio Cannavaro, and former Mexico and FIFA World All-Stars goalkeeper Jorge Campos are both 175cm tall.
The tallest member of the Qantas Socceroos squad at the 2006 World Cup was goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac (202cm). The tallest on-field player was striker Josh Kennedy (192cm).
The tallest team in the Hyundai A-League this season is Queensland. On average, the Roar boys are 183.3cm tall. The shortest team is Melbourne Victory, whose players average 180.6cm apiece.
The Hyundai A-League’s heaviest side is the Central Coast Mariners, whose players weigh an average of 82.3kg. The lightweight team of the comp is the Newcastle Jets, averaging 77.2kg per man.
Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca need not worry about weighing in at just 60kg. Brazil and Real Madrid star Robinho weighs the same, and seems to be doing pretty well for himself.
Regarded by many people to be the greatest player of all time, Argentinean Diego Maradona was just 166cm tall. Built low to the ground, Maradona used his low centre of gravity to weave through opposition defences.
Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!
Some tasks on a football field rely largely on a player’s ability to exert their physical presence on an opponent. Centre halves and goalkeepers are generally tall, trading speed and agility for strength and aerial prowess. There are of course exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, it’s fairly common.
In the Hyundai A-League, players don’t come any taller than Adelaide United’s Robert Cornthwaite. Standing at an impressive 197cm, Cornthwaite is something of a rarity in football. Playing on the right side of defence, it is strange to see the towering Cornthwaite standing outside of veteran centre half Michael Valkanis, who stands almost six inches shorter. Players of 197cm are usually closer to the aerial action. Having added considerably to his two starts in 2005/06, it appears that Adelaide manager John Kosmina is quite pleased with the progress the lanky 21 year-old has made this season.
The second tallest player in the league happens to be one of Cornthwaite’s United teammates. At 195cm, goalkeeper Robert Bajic is just one centimetre shorter than Qantas Socceroos ’keeper Mark Schwarzer. With such height and a frame to match, Bajic is certainly an intimidating presence in the Adelaide goal. Queensland Roar center half Sasa Ognenovski is the same height as Bajic, and has started all of his side’s games this season, providing a strong aerial presence.
Tallest among the strikers is Ognenovskis’ teammate Reinaldo, who at 194cm provides an aerial threat for even the tallest of the Hyundai A-League’s defenders. As is often the case, there was much hype made of the Brazilian when he arrived early last season, due mainly to his height. Although he has not been prolific, Reinaldo has won many fans with his ability to act as a target man up front.
Height in the midfield is rare, and not essential. But for those of you who must know, Joel Griffiths and Adam D’Apuzzo of the Jets are the “tall timber” of the Hyundai A-League midfield, both standing at a modest 185cm.
Good things, small packages
The little men of the Australian game can still impact hugely on the field. It’s not the size that counts, it’s how you shoot it.
Let’s start from the bottom. At 165cm, Massimo Murdocca of the Roar is the shortest player currently in the Hyundai A-League. Playing on the right side of midfield, Murdocca more than makes up for his lack of height with his pace, stamina and a high work rate. Such traits, as well as a skillful and assured touch, are essential for a smaller man to compete at a high level.
Adelaide United doesn’t discriminate on height. Not only do they have the league’s two tallest players, but also its second shortest. Injured midfielder Lucas Pantelis measures in at 166cm, which is three centimetres shorter than his guest player teammate Romario. The Brazilian legend never let a lack of height get in the way of his goal scoring exploits, and has proved over the years that he is just as adept at scoring goals with his head as he is with his feet.
Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!The heavyweights
But for a few giant defenders, the list of the heaviest players in the league is dominated by the men between the posts: the goalkeepers. An intimidating presence in goal can be an invaluable asset to a team, as they marshal the defence and smother scoring chances.
The heaviest player in the league is also the youngest. Goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski, 18, is listed at 104kg by Perth Glory, and was called in to regular action this year, when first-choice keeper Jason Petkovic was sidelined by injury. Vrteski is the only player to weigh in at more than 100kg.
At 99kg, Adelaide ’keeper Daniel Beltrame and Mariners defender Paul O’Grady are the next heaviest, closely followed by another two ’keepers, Mariner Danny Vukovic (98kg) and Roar custodian Liam Reddy (96kg).
The featherweights
With the big men throwing their considerable weight around, there are a number of players who would do well to keep clear, or run the risk of being trampled. Not surprisingly, it is the shorter men who barely trouble the scales.
What is surprising, however, is just how light the Hyundai A-League’s shortest player is, compared with some of the others. Weighing in at just 60kg, Massimo Murdocca is a full five kilograms lighter than the next player on the list, New Zealand Knight Jonti Richter. A five centimetre height difference between the two may explain this to some extent, but even when compared with teammate Lucas Pantelis, who is six kilos heavier but only one centimetre taller, Murdocca is clearly in a weight division of his own.
At 185cm, Jets midfielder Joel Griffiths is the tallest player to weigh less than 70kg, making him a good candidate for the league’s lankiest player.
The stats
Despite measuring up at a lofty 200cm, Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch is a beanpole. He is well and truly a member of the featherweight club. The tallest player to ever represent England, the tall fella weighs just 73kg.
Height is not necessarily a must-have for ’keepers and defenders. Italian defender and European player of 2006 Fabio Cannavaro, and former Mexico and FIFA World All-Stars goalkeeper Jorge Campos are both 175cm tall.
The tallest member of the Qantas Socceroos squad at the 2006 World Cup was goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac (202cm). The tallest on-field player was striker Josh Kennedy (192cm).
The tallest team in the Hyundai A-League this season is Queensland. On average, the Roar boys are 183.3cm tall. The shortest team is Melbourne Victory, whose players average 180.6cm apiece.
The Hyundai A-League’s heaviest side is the Central Coast Mariners, whose players weigh an average of 82.3kg. The lightweight team of the comp is the Newcastle Jets, averaging 77.2kg per man.
Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca need not worry about weighing in at just 60kg. Brazil and Real Madrid star Robinho weighs the same, and seems to be doing pretty well for himself.
Regarded by many people to be the greatest player of all time, Argentinean Diego Maradona was just 166cm tall. Built low to the ground, Maradona used his low centre of gravity to weave through opposition defences.
Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!
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