The first month of the NPL2 West season saw Northcote with a real statement of intent in their attempts to get back to the top tier, yet to drop a point. They’re followed by a trio of Moreland Zebras, Moreland City and Sunshine George Cross, and this is reflected in the make-up of the TOTM in February.
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GK: Phil Petrovski (Whittlesea Ranges)
Having had a good run of form in the back end of 2016, Petrovski’s move from Northcote came following Griffin McMaster’s signing there. Having dropped a tier he has enjoyed first team selection and enjoyed a good run between the sticks for Whittlesea, conceding just twice – the equal least in the competition.
CB: Matt Whatley (Northcote City)
The well-travelled Welsh import has been settling in well at his new country and club, providing a solid presence at the back for Northcote. Has flown somewhat under the radar given the club’s attack has made headlines recently but has certainly played his part in the results, the club conceding just two for the month.
CB: Felix Rosman (Moreland City)
The evergreen defender takes all the ‘fine wine’ comparisons. Now in his 40’s, Adrian Mathers signed the former Bulleen man from the top flight and he has added crucial experience along the backline for his new club.
CB: George Tsiakalakis (Sunshine George Cross)
Having been Ryan McGuffie’s partner at the back in 2016, Tsiakalakis moved to Sunshine where he has continued his 2016 form at his new club, generally alongside another experienced campaigner in Barry Devlin.
RM: Regsan Watkins (Moreland Zebras)
An unknown quantity really, Watkins joined Fausto de Amicis’ Zebras from the Bulleen 20s and has thrived in a senior first-team role. His physicality and ability in the front third has led to four goals and added another outlet alongside Osmancevic and Niagioran.
CM: Josh Knight (Northcote City)
He is developing a reputation as a promotion king, having helped the likes of Richmond and St Albans in recent years, he’s on track to do it again with Northcote if the first month is anything to go by. The captain’s performances in the middle have been solid and composed, a real asset for Zeljko Kuzman.
CM: Tyler James (Moreland City)
The versatile James, familiar with a fullback role but also now featuring in Moreland City’s midfield, has been one of the side’s best and flourishing in the middle of the park.
CM: Nejc Kolman (Moreland Zebras)
He showed his quality in patches when fit last season at the Zebras, and Kolman has hit the ground running in 2017. Currently topping the scorers charts on five, with four of those coming in a single haul against Bendigo.
LM: Tedros Yabio (Sunshine George Cross)
The journeyman looks to have settled in his new surrounds well, helping Sunshine to their unbeaten run with a few goals and good link-up play, especially recently with Nepalese international Jagjeet Shrestha.
ST: Alec Goodwin (Northcote City)
Dropping down a division from Port Melbourne looks to have done Goodwin’s confidence some good, with the forward enjoying regular selection and rewarding it by scoring four times, most recently the winner in a nailbiter against Brunswick City.
ST: Adam Wright (Brunswick City)
Brunswick’s leading scorer last season has his shooting boots on again in 2017, scoring four in four to once more be the trusted talisman in George Karkaletsis’ side.
Substitutes
Griffin McMaster (Northcote City)
McMaster, after years of plying his trade in the state’s top flight, took on a new challenge of helping Northcote achieve promotion and is playing his part so far with commanding and reliable presence between the sticks.
Janiel Silva (Whittlesea Ranges)
The former Brazilian lower leagues player has made himself right at home at Whittlesea following his move from Moreland United. Unlucky to miss out on a starting spot but his name is one we tip to feature in many future teams of the month, with big wraps on him coming from the club.
Apai Ukuno (Moreland City)
The prolific scorer is again up there with the best in the division, netting three times and giving defences trouble with his athleticism and ability to score with his head and feet.
Amir Osmancevic (Moreland Zebras)
A new season brings a new change of scenery with Osmancevic moving away from the Dandenong clubs to Moreland Zebras and is already looking to be a great acquisition, netting twice and linking well with teammates in the front third.
Barry Devlin (Sunshine George Cross)
With the departures of some experienced heads at the end of last season, Devlin’s acquisition has been a handy one for Tony Ciantar as his experience has helped at the back but his versatility also gives the coach a number of options further up the pitch.
Pat Karras (Ballarat Red Devils)
Started the season off with a bang as he netted a rocket at CB Smith and also scored the winner against Whittlesea. One his side’s brighter sparks in an inconsistent start for Ballarat in 2017.
Christian Theoharous (Melbourne Victory)
Victory have struggled with life back in the second tier, but one of the better stories to emerge from the club has been Theoharous, who recently netted against Moreland City, earned a scholarship in the senior side and has been touted for an A-League debut.