Think of the best player you’ve ever shared a pitch with. I’m almost certain that for most people, there will be a name or face that immediately springs to mind. For me, it’s Daniel Aliffi.

I never played at any notable level but was once told I was the best central defender in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. In my mid to late twenties, there were three teams in the region that were always in the hunt for the local first grade title. My team, Hill Top, was one of them. Another was Marulan, and Daniel Aliffi was their key player. He had it all: dribbling, vision, power, a wand of a right foot, and good pace for a man in his mid to late thirties. He was more than a cut above the other 21 players on the pitch, and the rumour was he had at one stage been under contract with a National Soccer League club. The guy was brilliant.

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