GK: Nikola Roganovic (South Melbourne)
At a time in the NPL when all top three teams are dropping points, Roganovic helped his team actually stay in the contest against Pascoe Vale with a busy effort between the sticks. He earnt a clean sheet the hard way, pulling off a number of saves to deny Paco.
RCB: Michele Crazia (Avondale FC)
Defensively, Werribee were little match for Crazia and the Avondale backline. One of Avondale’s standouts this season, Crazia again stood out with a solid defensive display, whilst getting up the other end and grabbing himself a goal.
CB: Matthew Reid (Green Gully)
An admirable effort at the back to see off the threat of Hume City’s attack and allow his teammates to do more attacking up the other. Successfully kept Hume at bay as they desperately tried to salvage a result.
LCB: Ryan Go (Northcote City)
A new name in the squad, the former Feyenoord youth player did well at left back for Northcote in a game where neither side was able to get the better of their opponents’ backlines. Performed his role with minimum fuss to help seal a clean sheet.
RM: Robert Zadworny (Melbourne Knights)
Did well down the Knights’ wing, putting in a number of dangerous deliveries that deserved to be converted into goals. Nonetheless, a constant threat in a Knights side that has really taken it to the top 3 in recent times.
CM: Jeff Fleming (Avondale FC)
The leader figure in the middle of the park put in a monumental shift alongside compatriot Massimo Murdocca, scoring the early first goal and controlling the contest for Avondale thereafter. Hardly put a foot wrong all game.
CM: Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens)
The talismanic midfielder appears to have put a mid-season injury behind him with an imposing captain’s knock. Celebrating his 100th league game for the Greens, the Englishman showed exactly why he’s become one of the competition’s standouts over the last five years, controlling and pulling the strings from midfield.
LM: Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne Sharks)
A sense of anticipation arose whenever the former Heart youth product touched the ball. He was lively, dangerous and creative, contributing to his side’s first with a pin-point cross for George Krommidas to head in, before taking on two defenders for a fantastic individual goal.
ST: Liam Boland (Green Gully)
The man of the moment continued his ascent up the NPL’s top scorers table with a hat-trick, taking him two goals clear of the competition. Did it against a formidable Hume backline as well, making his feats all the more impressive.
ST: Matt Sanders (Avondale FC)
Sanders may have benefited from a dejected Werribee outfit, but he put them to the sword anyway with a classy hat-trick. Linked up perfectly with his team-mates to be end of the right deliveries at the right time.
ST: Sean Rooney (Oakleigh Cannons)
Rooney’s double was a welcome contribution as Oakleigh look to hit form at the right time of the season. Was well positioned for both goals, helping put the game out of North Geelong’s reach.
BENCH:
Chris May (Melbourne Knights)
He does it again and again. It was another huge game, this time against Heidelberg, where the Knights can thank their custodian for helping them preserve an invaluable three points with a number of top saves.
Massimo Murdocca (Avondale FC)
Interchangable with Fleming in the starting XI, as both midfielders’ contributions were immense. Scored a goal himself but it was his involvement in the build up of numerous other passages of play that helped contribute to the 6-0 scoreline.
Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
Penetrated the Bergers’ defence every time he had the ball and scored an amazing solo goal. Andrijasevic’s rich goalscoring form – going pretty much a goal a game since moving into the centre after Barisic’s departure – sees him duly rewarded.
Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
He huffed and puffed but just couldn’t find that elusive goal against South in a game Pascoe Vale would feel they should have won. Nonetheless, his efforts were noted and he gets a Team of the Week nod as a result.
Tim Purcell (Dandenong Thunder)
Work effortlessly until limping off late on. At the heart of every Thunder attack, but also stopped his opposition playing through the centre midfield with his tough tackling and never say die attitude.
Mirjan Pavlovic (Oakleigh Cannons)
A constant presence in Oakleigh’s front third that troubled the Warriors’ defence to no end. Scored at the end when the damage was done, but nonetheless a deserved goal.