Youth Club
2000-2001 (Parramatta Power)
"Brendon Santalab joined his older brother Michael, who was playing at Parramatta Power in the senior squad. Brendon started his professional career with the Parramatta Power at the age of 17 years old, making him the youngest player to play in NSL at the time. His brilliant performance in the Youth League had not gone unnoticed. Parramatta Power first grade Coach David Mitchell at that time awarded him for his efforts by promoting Brendon to the first grade squad. It was a Dream Debut and it only took Brendon (Santa) 11 minutes to score his first Goal in the NSL Senior team. "Santa" a nick name he shared with his brother Michael at the Parra Power was named "Parramatta Power's Goal" scoring machine in the Youth League, and was awarded Clubs Top Goal scorer in Inaugural Season in 1999/2000.
In 2000/2001 season for the second consecutive year Brendon had been Club's leading goal scorer with 17 Goals. With Powers Youth Team winning Northern Division Grand Final, Brendon went into club's record books by picking up the clubs highest goal scorer award which covered both Senior team and Youth League".
Sydney United 2001-2004
Santalab brothers sign with Sydney United.
After playing two seasons with Parramatta Power Brendon and his brother Olyroo Michael both moved to Sydney United under the guidance of Branko Culina.
App Gls
2001-2003 Sydney United 28 7 Highest Goal scorer
2003-2004 Sydney United 14 5 Highest Goal scorer
Geylang United 2003
During the Sydney United off season in 2003, Brendon was loaned out to Geylang United, in Singapore.
App Gls Aussies Abroad
2003 Geylang United 22 23 Second Highest Goal scorer
Geylang United were Runners-up in Singapore Cup thanks to Brendons spectacular spell in the S. League.
While playing at Bedok Stadium, Santalab scored 23 goals in only 22 appearances and won many “Man of the Match awards.
Brendon was nominated for SembCorp Power & Gas Young Player of the Year and one of his Goals was nominated for Tiger Beer Goal of the Year –
"Geylang United FC v Balestier Khalsa FC".
KV Oostende 2004-2005
After a very successful stint in Singapore Brendon returned back to Sydney United where he continued his football career. Through his hard work and dedication Brendon was again awarded highest Goal scorer of the Year.
His efforts were again rewarded by a scout from Croatia who invited him to trial in Croatia with Croatian outfit Rijeka, but after just one day he was on a plane for Belgium, the club where Qantas Socceroo Paul Okon also played.
A three-day trial with KV Oostende, in which time he played two matches and "scored 7 goals", secured the Wollongong native a contract.
K Sint-Truidense VV 2005-2006
At the end of that season Brendon's trainer, Herman Vermeulen, was appointed trainer of a Belgian Premier League club STVV and Santalab accompanied him to the new club, Sint-Truidense (KSTVV). While at KSTVV, Brendon went through very difficult period due to injuries, change in coaching staff, therefore he only appeared in 9 first Grade games.
Ujpest FC 2006
KSTVV who worked in a partnership with the Hungarian Ujpest FC, send Brendon on loan to Hungary in August 2006. Brendon, who was still in Rehab, was loaned out to Ujpest, and after recovering from injury and few problems with international transfer dates, was not able to play until January 2007. So he decided to return to Australia to persue and resurrect his football career, signing with Sydney Football Club (SFC) in the Hyundai A-League under the guidance of his former Sydney United Coach Branko Culina, signed a two year deal with SFC.
Sydney FC 2007-2009
Since joining Sydney FC in mid 2007, Brendon scored some great goals, including a stunning shot from outside the box, that curled into the top corner against South Australian team Adelaide United in which Sydney ran out winners 3-1 at the Adelaide Oval. That was the goal that saw him win the overall "Hyundai A-League Goal of the Year" for the 2007–08 season and was voted best "Goal of the Year" by Sydney FC Fans. Santalabs first A-league goal was also a cracker and voted as Top 10 Goals in Hyundai A-League, which was played against CC Mariners on 22nd December 2007, with Sydney winning 5-4. It was the best A-League match played as stated by Football Fans. He scored another cracker against Adelaide again in the 2008–09 season at the Sydney Football Stadium, when he took a shot from 35 meters out, that slammed into the top corner and again saw him win "GOAL of the YEAR" as voted by SFC Fans. Sydney won the match 3-0. His fourth goal came during Sydney's 2-1 upset loss against Perth Glory. Santalab has a habbit of scoring Cracking goals.
North Queensland Fury FC 2009 - present |
