GK: John Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Bentleigh were the team with the more depleted lineup but you wouldn’t have known with some of the chances they produced away at Oakleigh Cannons, with custodian John Honos having to bail his side out on a number of occasions, especially early on.
RB: Jeremy Walker (Green Gully)
An all-round energetic and determined showing from the fullback. Dependable defensively and got involved in many of Gully’s attacking forays when pushing to salvage a result.
CB: Charlie Fry (Bentleigh Greens)
With a number of Bentleigh defenders unavailable, Fry was thrown in the deep end against an in-form Oakleigh Cannons and the youngster performed admirably. Helped to nullify much of Oakleigh’s advances and didn’t look out of place at all.
CB: Luke Adams (South Melbourne)
A hallmark of South’s unbeaten run of late has been its resolute and unchanged back four, with Adams and central defensive partner Michael Eagar shining. Adams again worked hard to minimise the hosts’ opportunities through the middle and was fairly successful in doing so.
CB: Matt Townley (North Geelong Warriors)
The experienced campaigner had a super game, especially at times when North’s defence was exposed by its midfield. In particular made two interceptions on what otherwise would have been certain goals.
LB: Josh Wilkins (Heidelberg United)
In a scrappy game that Heidelberg won despite not being at their best as a collective, Wilkins shone with a commanding and reliable display. Has to be a makeshift LB in our TOTW.
CM: Joseph Youssef (Pascoe Vale)
The usual fulcrum of Pascoe Vale’s midfield. Youssef was busy all along the park and linked will with teammates, especially with Davey van ‘t Schip, to deliver the pinpoint cross for Santilli’s goal.
CM: Chris Irwin (Kingston City)
Looked the goods against his former club, even when deployed in a wider role. His finish was clinical though could have had another one. Still, though, one of his side’s better players in a losing night.
RW: Jayden Prasad (Hume City)
The former Brisbane Roar youth has been a mainstay in David Chick’s side and rewarded the faith against North Geelong, one of the better performers of the contest for his side and netting his first league goal of the campaign.
ST: Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
On paper, a goal and assist was enough to help South to victory against Kingston. By no means a standout nor a perfect performance, but still had the biggest contribution of the league’s strikers in a round really devoid of attacking inspiration.
LW: Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
While South’s defence has been a key in its unbeaten run, at the other end it’s been the inclusion of the mercurial winger that has provided an important spark going forward. Against Kingston had the final ball turned in by Lujic for the first goal, and was involved in much of the build-up that created South’s chances on goal.
Bench:
Brendan White (Port Melbourne Sharks)
Credited with playing a crucial role in enabling to take a point on the road against Avondale. Produced a number of clutch saves to keep his team in the contest.
Nick Symeoy (Avondale FC)
One of the best in an otherwise disappointing game for Avondale in which they couldn’t produce the killer blow. But Symeoy did his job down his side and couldn’t be faulted for his performance.
Tom Matthews (Oakleigh Cannons)
With Oakleigh finding themselves facing a Bentleigh side with the momentum, particularly in the second half, Matthews made some important interceptions and challenges down his wing to protect his side. Another fullback nominated for TOTW.
Troy Ruthven (Bentleigh Greens)
Was tasked of playing in an unfamiliar position compared to his usual midfield role, but not just that, had to partner up with the young Fry in the centre of defence. To Ruthven’s credit he put in a calm and assured shift which contributed to Bentleigh’s decent showing against the Cannons defensively.