After a much improved month in another topsy-turvy season for all clubs involved, North Geelong ended July with the best record as the only unbeated team in the competition. They were followed by St Albans, who now just sit a point off Whittlesea who have had a faltering month, while the Warriors sit a point behind the Saints in third. Moreland Zebras hang in the race in third place, while other teams to impress included Sunshine George Cross – despite their last game to Ballarat – and Werribee City.
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GK: Marko Stevanja (Werribee City)
Returning to his best and playing a pivotal role in the Bees’ goals. Was mentioned a few times as among his club’s best in a number of games this month for some crucial involvements between the sticks, earning a clean sheet against St Albans.
RB: Nathan Long (North Geelong Warriors)
North Geelong only conceded three goals this month. Nathan Long was good against Melbourne City managing the electrifying Yusuf Ahmed. Long was also good the following week against Sunshine with a key goalline clearance as well as deal with the constant Sunshine overload on the wings. Comfortable wins against Bendigo and Whittlesea – where he dealt with Atilla Ofli – also set up Long’s nomination for this month.
CB: Matt Townley (North Geelong Warriors)
Captain Courageous. Townley was excellent this month for the Warriors. Kept the dangerous Ranges strike force to no goals and found a goal himself this month against Bendigo. Aside from a penalty miss against Sunshine, Townley hardly put a foot wrong in July and was instrumental in the heart of the Warriors’ defence.
LB: Yaw Otuo-Acheampong – (St Albans Saints)
Having provided a consistent level of output throughout the season as one of the club’s mainstays at left back, Otuo stood out for his double against Ballarat that helped his side earn the three points in a thrilling win. Every game he featured in ended in a result for St Albans, with the match he missed against Werribee ending in a Saints defeat.
CM: Josh Knight (St Albans Saints)
Another consistent month for Knight, who continues to prove his worth at St Albans as one of the standouts in the side. Helps run the Saitns midfield, enjoying another month in which he also received man of the match selection from his club.
CM: Michael Trigger (Ballarat Red Devils)
Four goals in five games for Trigger sealed another good month despite Ballarat’s shaky form. Two goals against Moreland City helped set up victory and two more against Sunshine sealed the the points for Ballarat, including an audacious 40-yard belter. Trigger was excellent in attack and defence for the Red Devils, hassling midfielders as well as running at defences.
CM: Yusei Kitade (Sunshine George Cross)
The Japanese midfielder has been a quality signing for Sunshine George Cross. Last month Kitade scored two goals against Bendigo and Ballarat, and also provided a number of assists. Kitade’s quick passing and turns have made him stand out last month and he looks to be settling into the Sunshine midfield perfectly.
RAM: Nicholas Jurcic (North Geelong Warriors)
The winger was in blistering form in July. His menacing runs down the left side helped him find the back of the net on three occasions. Jurcic has been troublesome for defences, in particular Melbourne City where steered his side to victory with a brace – he also rescued his side a point against Sunshine.
AM: Rinor Muriqi (Moreland Zebras)
Despite varying form for both club and player since mid-season, in the last month, Muriqi has been one of the Zebras’ best. Created a number of chances against St Albans and backed this up a week later with two quality goals against Werribee City. His pinpoint passes gave the youthful Melbourne City some difficulty and he was good the following week against Sunshine, coming close on a number of occasions.
LAM: Jonathan Voulgaris (Werribee City)
A blistering month for Voulgaris, who scored in three of the four games he featured in and was regularly in the votes as his club’s standouts. His attacking flair and eye for goal helped his side earn a few good results as it looks to finish strongly in 2016.
ST: Kene Eze (North Geelong Warriors)
Eze, like his fellow TOTM striker partners, also netted five goals in July. The forward scored in a draw at Werribee and a win at Bendigo. However, most memorable was a hatrick at Epping Stadium, gunning down Whittlesea 3-0. After battling injury earlier in the campaign, Eze will be important going into the late stage of the season and who knows.
Substitutes
Hernan Arredondo (Sunshine George Cross)
Arredondo has been exceptional since his arrival at Sunshine. Scored three goals last month and has been brilliant for Sunshine. His tantalising runs have made it impossible to stop him at times. The Chilean’s lethal left foot has been instrumental in Sunshine’s recent success.
Matt Thorne (North Geelong Warriors)
Consistently one of the Warriors’ most dangerous players, Thorne’s endeavour and output for North Geelong has endured despite the club’s rollercoaster form in recent months. One goal for July accompanied many more attacking contributions.
George Slefendorfas (Whittlesea Ranges)
Slefendorfas scored four goals this month, with his double against Sunshine among two of his best for the month. Slefendorfas’ aerial presence and striking ability will be needed heading into the latter stage of the season for Whittlesea to get them out of a dip in form.
Apai Ukuno (Moreland City)
Ukuno grabbed four goals in July. Among these included two braces, one which set up a 3-0 win over Bendigo, and another against St Albans, where Moreland were unlucky not to take all three points. Ukuno’s goals this season have really shot Moreland up the table, consolidating his second spot on the goalscoring charts for NPL2 West.
Joey Monek (St Albans Saints)
Monek’s fourth feature in as many months. His menacing runs continue to be hard to deal with for opposition defences. Monek scored twice this month, including a volley against Moreland Zebras and match sealer against his former employers Melbourne City, also set up a goal for Tsakalakis which saw St. Albans steal a point against Moreland City.
Ilija Manojlovic (Sunshine George Cross)
The 18-year-old is building in strength and confidence. The youngster’s overlapping runs down the left-side have been a highlight. Manojlovic was solid in a 3-2 win against Bendigo City and strong in defence and attack in draws against North Geelong and Whittlesea. He then scored against Moreland Zebras in what would be the decisive winner.