Brett Emerton vs Lucas Neill
Australia against Australia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Brett Emerton
Australia · 2000–04 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in Australia
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 95 · 20 goals
- Clubs
- Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers, Sydney
The Olyroos went into their home Olympics in Sydney in September 2000 with Emerton, 21, wearing the armband. The UEFA Cup came in 2002, a booking against Inter keeping him out of the final Feyenoord won in their own stadium, and he added OFC Nations Cups in 2000 and 2004, Oceania Footballer of the Year in 2002, eight seasons at Blackburn and 95 caps with 20 goals. Career record: 95 caps and 20 goals for Australia; club career at Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers, Sydney.
Lucas Neill
Australia · 2002–11 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Australia
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 96 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United
In the last seconds against Italy at Kaiserslautern on 26 June 2006, Neill slid across in front of Fabio Grosso, Grosso went over the top of him, and Totti converted the penalty that put Australia out. He captained his country a record 61 times in 96 caps, led the side at the 2010 World Cup and to the 2011 Asian Cup final, and was part of the Blackburn squad that won the League Cup in 2002. Career record: 96 caps and 1 goals for Australia; club career at Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United.
The verdict
The almanac puts Lucas Neill ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
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