This week’s predominantly defensive-minded Team of the Week pays homage to some top efforts at the back. Six of the seven games ended in teams winning whilst keeping a clean sheet, five games didn’t see a goal until after half-time, and three teams (Hume, Gully, Heidelberg) left it to the final 10 minutes of regulation time to score the decisive opening goal.
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GK: Stjepan Gal (Port Melbourne)
It was a wonder how Pascoe Vale didn’t score against Port Melbourne on Friday night, but the hosts’ clean sheet was due in part to Gal’s first half efforts between the sticks. The stunning save to keep out a curling Ferrante free-kick was one of the night’s highlights, whilst the former St. Albans custodian also denied the Nakic brothers on separate occasions.
CB: Luke Byles (Heidelberg United)
In tough conditions, Luke Byles was the standout performer at the back for Heidelberg, barely allowing home side Werribee a peep on goal. The centre back was both solid on the ground and dominant aerially, clearing Werribee long balls with ease despite the swirly conditions. Heidelberg have now kept two sheets in a row, an ideal defensive start for the title contenders.
CB: Shane Rexhepi (Hume City)
Fate denied Rexhepi donating $200 to his fundraiser for cancer research as he was scuppered first by the post, but subsequently by a goal-line clearance. But that won’t keep the Hume City man out of Round Two’s Team of the Week after a commanding display at the back led his side to a clean sheet and three points. Combining formidably with Petar Franjic in the heart of defence, Rexhepi was busy sweeping up danger and putting in crucial interceptions to keep the newly promoted Avondale at bay.
CB: Daniel Jones (Green Gully)
Gully coach Bob Stojcevski may have you believe his team is intent on attacking, but let’s not take away anything from his defence. Daniel Jones was a key cog at the back, cleaning up anything that came his way and marshalling his defence with distinction, especially towards the end of the contest after compatriot Roddy Vargas was sent off.
DM: Dominic D’angelo (Oakleigh Cannons)
Despite featuring in a losing team, D’angelo played his typical combattive game, conducting his defensive midfield role with aplomb. He was everywhere along the middle third, running tirelessly and making plenty of interceptions that helped break down Gully’s attacks for the majority of the contest.
DM: Michael Eagar (South Melbourne)
South are in a fortunate position to have such a talented utility in their captain Michael Eagar, who has reverted back to his holding midfield role due to Konstantinidis and Adams’ strong form at the back. It seems to be suiting South Melbourne who are yet to concede this season in the league with the extra protection shielding the back four. Eager linked well with Jawadi while helping out the defence when needed, breaking up North Geelong’s attacks and distributing neatly.
CM: Tomislav Uskok (Melbourne Knights)
Put in a top captain’s performance for the Knights. Pulled the strings in midfield alongside Alex Dao, providing a strong presence all night and was generally tidy on the ball. Clinched the sealer with a strong header from Dao’s corner.
LM: Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne)
After weathering Pascoe Vale’s first-half barrage, Port Melbourne turned it around in the second, mainly thanks to this man. Ibrahim first smashed in a bullet from 25-yards after cutting in from the wing, before assisting Ryan Opperman’s sealer with a delightful delivery from the byline. Really stepped up when Port needed a hero, capping his second consecutive Team of the Week appearance in a strong start to the season.
RM: David Stirton (South Melbourne)
Former Bentleigh man Stirton was involved in two of South’s three goals before being substituted, to earn his spot in this week’s side. His vital contributions came via his head, scoring a goal with a header before setting up Milos Lujic’s goal with another.
ST: Matthew Thurtell (Bentleigh Greens)
The Queenslander is making a strong early impression in Victoria, scoring a brace against Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve in front of the watchful eye of special guest Josep Gombau. The first goal capped a great move involving Daniel Visevic and Jack Webster, while the second saw him expertly controlling Dion Kirk’s ball into the box, taking him to the top of the NPL scorers chart with three goals in two games.
ST: Andrew Barisic (Melbourne Knights)
The returning Knight has scored two goals in two games now, and he made a real nuisance of himself against Northcote on Friday night, constantly troubling City’s defence. He scored seconds into the second half after pouncing on an underhit backpass and tucking the ball past Theodoridis. Should have had an assist in the first half after finding Zahra open in the box, but the latter couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
Graphic: Michael Alesich
Bench:
Alex Dao (Melbourne Knights)
Unlucky to miss out on another starting XI Team of the Week berth with another busy shift in midfield. His passing, vision and energy were all exemplary, constantly forcing Northcote on the back foot. It was his delivery from a corner that was met by Uskok for the second goal.
Shaun Kelly (Port Melbourne)
Kelly’s game has really flourished since making the swap from South Melbourne, where he is now Port’s captain. Whilst a bit shaky early in giving away a few sloppy passes that Pascoe Vale failed to punish, Kelly was a commanding presence in Port’s backline, organising the team loudly and marking his opponents expertly.
Jai Ingham (Hume City)
In a tight contest that yielded little attacking flair, former Brisbane Roar youth Ingham’s late impact left home fans both relieved and delighted. Scored the opener in the 79th minute with a solid strike from the edge of the 18-yard box, while some nice interplay with Nick Hegarty led to the latter’s sealing goal.
Tremayne Sadler (Oakleigh Cannons)
Despite playing in a losing team, Sadler can hold his head high for his performance on the right side of Oakleigh’s back three. Kept Gully’s Nikola Markovski quiet before being substituted, frustrating the star import who scored a double the week before against Northcote City.
Nikola Jurkovic (North Geelong)
You might not expect a player in a side that lost 3-0 to make a bench appearance here, but Jurkovic’s admirable performance against the reigning Champions is an exception. As described in the FFV match report, “the Warriors put up a gutsy effort and unearthed a star of the future, in 17-year-old Nikola Jurkovic who played the entire game and was undoubtedly the Warriors’ [best] on the pitch.”