This year, we’ll be taking a look at the performers in the NPL2 that are lighting up the pitch on a weekly basis, compiling a Team of the Month for both the NPL2 East and West conference. We’ll be looking at the star performers of the opening two rounds in the Team of the Month for February.
READ MORE > NPL2 West Team of the Month
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GK: Fraser Maclaren (Dandenong Thunder)
While his side’s attacking prowess was making headlines in the first two weeks, let’s not forget Maclaren kept two consecutive clean sheets in the process. Did his job when called upon, even if there were times where didn’t have an abundance to do.
RCB: Alex Schroen (Box Hill United)
While Box Hill conceded four goals in their opening two outings, the individual effort and performance of Schroen did not go unnoticed, with the fullback putting in two solid shifts for his side.
CB: Simon Colosimo (Dandenong Thunder)
With Colosimo’s experience in the back four, it’s perhaps no surprise that Thunder went the first two games without conceding a goal. Marshalled his backline with aplomb, hardly putting a foot wrong.
LCB: Hamish Millar (Kingston City)
Played CB mainly in Love’s absence through injury. Part of Kingston’s early season form had been in part due to Millar’s command at the back, coupling a strong defensive showing with an ability to get the ball moving forward with precision.
CM: Jamie England (Goulburn Valley Suns)
Has been dominant in the Suns’ midfield, putting together two influential showings that included one goal to his season tally, as GVS began their season with two wins.
CM: Alex Dao (Box Hill United)
Has impressed since making the move from Melbourne Knights, where experience in the top flight has translated to his performances in the NPL2 with two classy outings in the middle of the park.
CM: Zdenek Koukal (Kingston City)
What a pick up the former Czech youth international has been for Kingston. His vision and goal-sense from midfield has seen him find the back of the net twice in two games.
CAM: Velibor Mitrovic (Kingston City)
Has been immense since returning to the Grange, scoring two well-taken goals and always looking threatening going forward. One penalty miss has been the only blip on the radar, but all is forgiven considering his performances overall.
ST: Amir Osmancevic (Dandenong Thunder)
Two braces in two games says it all, really. The striker has been in scintillating early season form, scoring half his side’s goals in the first two games.
ST: Craig Carley (Goulburn Valley Suns)
Hungry for goals after narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot in somewhat contentious circumstances, Carley once again went about his business at a rate of two goals a game to take the early lead alongside Osmancevic.
ST: Zac Walker (Murray United)
Walker netted a goal each in the first two games of the season for Murray United, earning man of the match plaudits in their second clash against Box Hill.
Bench:
Ashley Dunn (Murray United)
It was a big coup having the former Salford City man re-sign for the club, and he has repaid the faith again with a pair of tireless showings in the opening two games.
Daniel Bennett (Dandenong Thunder)
The new signing quickly found his feet in Victoria, scoring on his competitive debut and adding an assist against Dandenong rivals, City.
Damir Stoilovic (Springvale White Eagles)
A noteworthy player for the league’s usual strugglers, with Stoilovic scoring in each game against Goulburn Valley and Brunswick City.
Michael Jones (Eastern Lions)*
Looked solid at the back in a narrow defeat against Kingston City, and played his part in opening round thrashing of Brunswick City. *Apologies to Slavisa Saric, who was incorrectly mentioned in an earlier version of this article.