NPL Team of the Week: Round 14

by Mark Gojszyk 0

It was one of those rounds with plenty of good performances across the grounds, but without as many standouts as other weeks. The biggest beneficiaries of this were Northcote City and Oakleigh Cannons, who have their biggest single hauls in the Team of the Week this season, yielding three players each. Also, with five centre-backs and five strikers nominated, there was a serious imbalance of love shared between all the positions on the pitch, resulting in a 4-2-4 formation that generally only ever works on FIFA

***

GK: Chris May (Melbourne Knights)
While it was a tough week for the keepers – with only three teams keeping a clean sheet – Chris May, not for the first time this season, had one of the most telling contributions of all custodians in the Knights’ 0-0 draw with Avondale. While opposite number Siddall also had a solid game between the sticks, May’s effort to deny Matt Sanders from point blank range made for one of the saves of the week, denying the home side any chance of nabbing the three points.

RB: Nicholas Jurcic (North Geelong Warriors)
Pit equal top against bottom and you may expect a bit of a blowout, but for the most part North Geelong held their own against Bentleigh Greens, with Jurcic one of the standouts in a team that deserved at least a point. Was resilient at the back, helping keep the imposing Greens forward line to just the single goal.

CB: Adam le Cornu (Oakleigh Cannons)
A dominant defensive performance at the back from the South Australian went along way to securing Oakleigh all three points as le Cornu and his partner John Black kept the in-form Milos Lujic not only scoreless for the night, but also without a genuine shot on goal. The former in particular stepped up in the absence of the injured Aron Wilford in a performance which showed great maturity. A rare clean sheet for Oakleigh so far this season.

CB: Simon Colosimo (Werribee City)
The former Socceroo showed experience in class at the heart of the Werribee defence, only to be denied victory thanks to a last-minute equaliser. Despite picking up an early booking, the ex-Melbourne Heart skipper was commanding and stable at the back and topped off his performance with a rising header, in what was his first goal in four and half years of football.

LB: Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens)
They’re the team with the lowest goals conceded in the competition, and on the weekend,  yet another Bentleigh clean sheet was kept in so small part due to the efforts of Pilko at left back. He was tough to beat in one-on-ones and able to minimise delivery into the box from his side.

CM: Archie Tomic (Dandenong Thunder)
The hard-working midfielder returned to George Andrews Reserve in emphatic style with a classy performance, including a memorable header at the death to secure Thunder a well-deserved point. His work rate and constant pressure was a big reason as to why the home side won the midfield battle and his powerful header at the end of the game could go a long way in securing Thunder’s safety come season’s end.

CM: Jonathan Bounas (Northcote City)
It was a busy and rewarding shift on the pitch for Bounas, who was a key midfield player – alongside Marino Gasparis – in Northcote’s 3-1 win over Gully. He played his part in the build-up of all three of his team’s goals, before being rested after 70 minutes.

ST: Mirjan Pavlovic (Oakleigh Cannons)
In what was only his second game in Oakleigh colours, Pavlovic’s performance saw the former Sydney United striker grab a goal and an assist as the Cannons ended South’s undefeated streak. His pinpoint cross-field ball to Lambros Honos for the first goal, along with a neat flick from Bosnjak’s cutback for the second, ensured all three points as the striker cemented his place as an immediate fan favourite at the club.

ST: Paul Harvey (Hume City)
The new Hume man, coming from Altona with a proven track record in the NPL, helping create one and score another in an impressive performance. The assist was completed with some good vision to pick out Markelis, while his goal was the result of brilliant individual work, latching onto a long ball, dribbling into the box and dispatching the ball into the left corner of the net.

ST: Dan Heffernan (Heidelberg United)
With A-League scouts reportedly in attendance, Heffernan put on a show, scoring an early double against Pascoe Vale to set the Bergers on their way to victory. A volley and a header were Heff’s contributions, two classy goals to seal the three points, despite the Bergers fading a bit in the second half.

ST: Calvin Mbarga (Northcote City)
A debut NPL Victoria goal at last for the popular Cameroonian, whose efforts finally paid off with a destructive performance against the Gully defence. Was constantly pressuring his opponents’ backline, forcing a turnover and striking a top-drawer effort for his own goal, before drawing a handball from an opponent for Gasparis to convert the penalty.

TOTW Rd 14

Bench:

Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
As competition for places in the Cannons’ attack intensifies, Bosnjak further endeared himself to manager Arthur Papas with a memorable display over rivals South Melbourne. His magical run and cut into the box saw him set-up Pavlovic for the second goal, and was a constant menace for the usually consistent Tim Mala at right-back as the former Melbourne Heart Youth captain had one of his best games for the club.

Jordan Wilkes (Northcote City)
Unlucky not to make the starting XI, such was the depth of defenders nominated. Apart from conceding one goal from a set-piece, Northcote were defensively solid, led by Wilkes who made sure Gully didn’t get a sniff on goal to mount a comeback later in the contest. Also scored from a corner to cap off a great display.

Reuben Way (Heidelberg United)
Described as “outstanding”, Way’s selection this week is also recognition for his effort throughout the season, where he’s often flown under the radar in comparison to some of the plaudits is teammates receive. His performance on the left wing was dangerous, looking to get the ball in threatening areas and not afraid to take on his man.

Steven Topalovic (Bentleigh Greens)
Another defensive standout from the game against North Geelong, Topalovic was his usual self at the back, cleaning up deliveries his way and carrying the ball forward to launch Bentleigh’s forways forward.

Anthony Fallone (Avondale FC)
Nominated as Avondale’s standout by one pundit, Fallone was part of Avondale’s back four that managed, for the most part, to limit the Knights’ clear cut opportunities on goal. Was rewarded for his solid efforts with a clean sheet and a nomination for Team of the Week.