When you’ve got a round containing one game consisting of an 8-2 victory, you know it’s going to be a top heavy Team of the Week. Alas we’ve opted for a 3-4-3 formation and no surprises for guessing who the most represented team is for the starting XI.
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GK: Stefaan Sardelic (Pascoe Vale)
It was slim pickings for keepers this week, but Paco’s Stefan Saardelic did his stocks no harm after a slow start to the season saw him lose his spot in goals. Made a sublime double save in the first half to keep Werribee at bay on his way to a clean sheet.
LCB: Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
One of the league’s most consistent fullbacks, South Melbourne’s Brad Norton was one player who played well in the derby day win over the Knights. Won the penalty that Milos Lujic put away for the opener and was good with the ball at feet as always. Provided great service from the left flank.
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens)
Hume were kept incredibly quiet by an in-form Bentleigh side, which boasted some serious strength in defence. Between Webster and Steven Topalovic, the potent Hume forwards found chances few and far between, as they paired up to shut shop up completely. A wall in defence.
RCB: Faisal Sakhizada (Dandenong Thunder)
Had the unenviable task of matching up one of the league’s most consistent marksmen in Trent Rixon, but he more than matched the challenge, besting the Port Melbourne forward on the way to a clean sheet and a valuable three points.
DM: Ramazan Tavsancioglu (Dandenong Thunder)
Played in the unfamiliar role as a six and did it to perfection, intercepting plenty of deliveries as he wandered in front of the defence. Came close to scoring twice at the other end too.
CM: Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens)
A man-of-the-match performance saw Wallace provide drive and purpose to the Bentleigh midfield. Led by example and won plenty of his own ball, and distributed to perfection for the 90 minutes.
CM: Necj Kolman (Heidelberg United)
Nominated as one of the real standouts for the Bergers in their big 8-2 win over Green Gully, new signing Kolman added a goal and plenty of movement in midfield. He ran the show, as his link up with Govas and Sheppard ahead of him went a long way towards the three points.
AM: Andreas Govas (Heidelberg United)
If there ever was a Team of the Week performance worthy of selection, then it’s this one, as Andreas Govas piled on the pain against Green Gully with four goals, and a performance of the highest order. A stunning strike even made national headlines, with coverage from SBS’s The World Game midweek.
LF: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
Let’s just fill a team with Heidelberg players and be done with it, right? Striker Kaine Sheppard was brilliant in a team that was in such fine form. He scored a goal, grabbed an assist, and played a major role in two more, in what was a fantastic outing from the hit-man.
CF: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
Was Oakleigh’s brightest in their last ditch 2-2 draw. He had plenty of the ball in the free role up front, as he set up Ben Clarke for the first equaliser, having earlier hit the post with a shot from a tight angle. He then was thwarted by a number of good saves by Theodoridis.
RF: Andy Brennan (South Melbourne)
Although he played on the wing in South Melbourne’s big 2-1 derby win against Melbourne Knights, Brennan will have to squeeze in up front for the Team of the Week. He was bright, busy and caused the Knights plenty of trouble in a game that lacked execution. Scored the all-important winning goal.
Substitutes:
Ben Clarke (Oakleigh Cannons)
It’s good to see Clarke back playing football after a horror injury earlier in the season. A couple of weeks in now and he’s back in the Team of the Week for his second appearance this week. He was a force on the right wing, and scored the first of Oakleigh’s two goals.
Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens)
One of Bentleigh’s most consistent performers, Pilkington put together a energetic 90 minutes which saw him defend well and push forward as well. He’s not the quickest, but his game sense makes him a real asset and a hard player to get past.
Yusuf Ahmed (Dandenong Thunder)
The youngster makes his first Team of the Week appearance after an incredibly fruitful opening to the NPL Victoria season. His progression has been there for all to see, and his pace gave Port Melbourne trouble in their clash. Scored the match winner.
Joseph Youssef (Pascoe Vale)
Nominated as one of the best for Pascoe Vale, captain Joseph Youssef won the match against Werribee off his boot with a tidy finish.
Mark Pistininzi (Pascoe Vale)
Hardly put a foot wrong in midfield as the defensive minded Pistininzi ran the show for Pascoe Vale in their 1-0 win over Werribee. Made himself busy in bringing together his team and shutting his midfield opponent out of the game.
Jonathan Munoz (Avondale FC)
Regardless of putting his two penalties away, Munoz was the brightest spark for Avondale FC in their important 2-1 win over North Geelong Warriors. His passing was key and he made plenty of purposeful runs from midfield.