It was a draw that felt like a loss for the Victory, who twice gave up a lead and had to peg a goal back late to equalise, with Archie Thompson the undoubted hero on the night. Here are our ratings:
***
GK: Nathan Coe – 6
Hard to put him at fault for any of the three goals, although he perhaps wasn’t as proactive as previous games in getting out to claim the ball.
RB: Jason Geria – 6
Wasn’t disgraced, but wasn’t commanding either, as all of Victory’s back four struggled to contain Sydney’s prowess going forward.
CB: Adrian Leijer – 5.5
A relapse into old habits by Leijer, who struggled to read the game and seemed a yard off the pace. Didn’t close Smeltz down in time for the third goal and generally allowed his opponents too much space.
CB: Leigh Broxham – 5.5
The usually dependable Broxham was also often undone by Sydney’s tall timber up front, dragged out of position for the first goal and was troubled on the night.
LB: Dylan Murnane – 6
Was made to work hard by twinkling toes of Ibini on his wing. A mixed night for Murnane, who didn’t have great impact, but wasn’t directly at fault for any of the goals.
DM: Mark Milligan – 5.5
Milligan and Valeri seemed to lose the midfield battle to Dimitrijevic and Antonis, and his night will be remembered for the stray elbow that left the latter bloodied and bruised.
DM: Carl Valeri – 6
Like Milligan, while his defensive efforts were of his usual high standard, he
struggled to gain the ascendency in the middle of the park when linking with the forwards.
LW: Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 7.5
Another game on the verge of brilliance, bar a few final passes that went astray. Was a constant threat on the wing with his bursts of pace and creativity.
RW: Kosta Barbarouses (1 assist) – 7.5
A performance typical of the Kiwi’s season so far, highlighted by his dribbling and speed that allowed him to get in behind the defence on a number of occasions. Assisted Thompson’s second goal with such a dribble and neat layoff.
✮ FW: Archie Thompson (3 goals) – 9.5 ✮
The hat-trick hero put on a finishing clinic, scoring with both feet and from a number of positions. An absolute predator on the night.
ST: Besart Berisha (1 assist) – 7
Whilst he wasn’t on the scoresheet, Berisha was heavily involved in Victory’s attacking play, setting up Thompson’s hat-trick goal with a neat one-two, and forcing Janjetovic into a spilled save that led to the opener.
Sub: Nick Ansell (on 69′) – 6
Looked composed when coming on, but couldn’t help stop Smeltz’s second goal.
Sub: Connor Pain (on 69′) – 6
Whilst his usual damage is done seconds after coming off the bench, no such luck this time.
Sub: Jesse Makarounas (on 82′) – N/A
***
Votes
3. Archie Thompson
2. Fahid Ben Khalfallah
1. Kosta Barbarouses
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
45.5 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
37.5 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
32.5 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
30.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
30.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
24.5 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
21 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
15 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
6 – David Williams (Melbourne City)