NPL2 Player of the Month: April

by Mark Gojszyk 0

It was a month for the goalscorers this month, with some prolific marksmen building up their season tallies with decent efforts across the five weeks. We’ll throw in a defender for good measure, too, however.

We’d also like to remind you that the winner at the end of the voting cycle will also win a $100 gift voucher courtesy of Soccer 5s Dandenong, to use on pitch-hire and a range of other offerings, so get voting via the poll below!


Brandon Barnes (Dandenong Thunder)

Image: Smile for Peter

It really is the same old story for Barnes who, while not scoring at the astronomical rate he was last season due to a more competitive league with relegation a threat for the bottom sides, has still been propelling his team to the upper echelons of the ladder to keep up with Dandenong City and Melbourne City. Netting eight goals in five games, he contributed directly to winning 10 points for Thunder in an undefeated month. Still a class above.

Thomas Barforosh (Whittlesea Ranges)

The former Melbourne City forward has become one of the focal points of the Whittlesea attack with regular goalscoring contributions for Vinko Buljubasic’s side. Netted against his old club in Melbourne City and also found the back of the net against solid opponents in Moreland Zebras and Dandenong Thunder, while also putting 10-man Goulburn Valley to the sword with a double.



Trent Rixon (Moreland City)

Image: Mark Avellino

There’s been plenty of firepower in the nominations already and Rixon is another one on that list, where he’s come roaring back to life in 2017. Hauls of four in the top flight with Port Melbourne and seven with Moreland City in his first season there has been surpassed by round 12, with four of his eight goals coming in April. Not only that but it seems he’s developed a good understanding with Apai Ukono up front, giving Adrian Mathers that additional attacking option up front which has kept City in the promotion hunt.

Zac Walker (Murray United)

Image: Mark Avellino

The acquisitions of ex-A-League strikers Chad Bugeja and Archie Thompson may have thrown up some unknowns regarding Walker and how the trio would all fit in the forward line but it seems to have clicked in April, with all three taking a share of the goals. Walker especially, as one of the favourite sons of the club and a loyal servant, continues to make positive contributions for the side and enjoyed a productive month with three goals and strong link-up work in the front third.

Matthew Whatley (Northcote City)

Iceland, Sweden, USA and New Zealand are countries in which well-travelled Matt Whatley has played in his journeyman career, and Australia is another on his list, where he’s made quite the impression thus far. He’s not the biggest of the defenders, but the former Swansea and Cardiff youth has shown plenty of class and has had a real knack for goal, netting the winner against Werribee and also scoring against Murray (not to mention his eventful cup outing against Port Melbourne but that was in May)

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