GK: Stjepan Gal (Port Melbourne)
Was a safe pair of hands all game for Port Melbourne and while he wasn’t forced to do anything out of the ordinary, he was a confident and assuring figure just beyond the back four for the Sharks. Clean sheet was just reward.
LB: Steven Cudrig (Werribee City)
Had the task of dealing with forward Trent Rixon, and the Werribee centre-half, alongside Ryan Filipovic, kept him anonymous in their 0-0 draw. He was a monster in the air, winning the majority of his headers in a dominant display from the back. Squeezes into the team at left-back to accommodate others.
CB: Michael Eager (South Melbourne)
What teams would do to have such a versatile and dependable figure in their defensive half. Skipper Michael Eager was once again fantastic for South Melbourne in their tight 1-0 win over Hume City, who boasts plenty of attacking power. Has revelled back in his role in defence, since the injury to Kristian Konstantinidis.
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
The Bergers back three were all in fine form in their narrow win against Oakleigh. It was Pace who was nominated as the standout of the trio, with his commanding display leading his side to a clean sheet, their stunning sixth of the season.
RB: Tim Mala (South Melbourne)
Returning from suspension, Tim Mala put in a best on ground display for South Melbourne, with a number of crucial slide tackles ensuring in-form winger Jai Ingham was kept relatively quiet. The right-back is a fan favourite and will be hoping to continue his form into the rest of the season.
RM: Kosta Kanakaris (Heidelberg United)
Heidelberg’s Kosta Kanakaris was another standout in their narrow win against Oakleigh. He worked hard travelling down both ends of the pitch, acting as a covering defender at times, while also adding plenty going forward. Made a key goal saving tackle on Goran Zoric.
CM: Ben Surey (Melbourne Knights)
With Tomislav Uskok suspended, the former captain Surey stepped up and bossed the midfield in the Knights 2-0 win over Gully. Wasn’t afraid to impose himself on the contest, and swept a lot of danger up with his bullocking approach.
LM: Jason Principato (Avondale FC)
Floated through the midfield across both flanks and through the middle, Jason Principato did a stellar job in Avondale FC’s 3-2 win over Dandenong Thunder. With Burakhan Koca also rotating through the midfield, the pair were dominant through the middle, and Principato in particular imposed himself, grabbing an assist to go with his energetic display.
CAM: Aron Handakis (Northcote City)
The youngster only made his debut for Northcote City earlier this season, but this was the game he announced himself. Scored now in consecutive games, the number 10 was creative and incisive. Seemed to cause trouble with every touch on the ball.
ST: Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
The best on ground in the Knights win over Green Gully, Adrijasevic was unlucky not to score, and his aerial prowess helped set up the opening goal, as his flick on header in the box found its way to Marijan Cvitkovic.
ST: Oleksiy Khrapko (Avondale FC)
The hat-trick hero of the weekend, the Ukranian hit-man is one of the deadliest strikers in Victoria and he displayed his authority with a quick-fire three to set up an important win against Dandenong Thunder.
Substitutes:
Simon Zappia (Werribee City)
The Werribee winger was tricky, and wasn’t afraid to shoot, as he tested the hands of Stjepan Gal a number of times with some stinging drives from distance. Werribee’s best in an attacking sense.
Adam Le Cornu (Oakleigh Cannons)
Did well to handle the bountiful attacking threat that Heidelberg posed, despite his side still going down 1-0.
Yusuf Ahmed (Dandenong Thunder)
Finds himself in the Team of the Week once again after a vibrant performance against Avondale, which included another goal. He’s really made an impression so far in season 2015.
Evan Kounavelis (Northcote City)
Another standout for Northcote City. He worked the wing well and added a goal for his troubles.