Images: Michael Alesich
It was a welcome back to top-flight league action for 2017 with many players impressing for their new clubs and making the best impression possible, while others picked up where they left off in 2016.
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GK: Michael Weier (Hume City)
Who else? Weier made headlines for his heroics at the weekend for Hume City against Melbourne Knights when his last-gasp header from a set-piece salvaged a draw on debut. Certainly not something you see every day.
RB: Nick Glavan (Bentleigh Greens)
A solid debut in which the former Melbourne Knights fullback was a pillar of consistency down the right-hand side of defence. Rarely caught in possession, rarely beaten and did his defensive duties well.
CB: Ivan Grgic (North Geelong Warriors)
The new acquisition settled into the North Geelong backline with ease and confidence, playing a key role in the promoted club earning its first point of the campaign. Did well to restrict Pascoe Vale’s front third.
LB: Marco Jankovic (Bentleigh Greens)
A central midfielder by trade, Jankovic deputised at left-back and once more excelled with tidy performance. Filled in at centre-back in the final 20 minutes of the game following Archibald’s injury substitution and was once more faultless.
CM: Matt Foschini (South Melbourne)
Just a classy presence in South’s midfield, especially in the first half the holding midfielder kept breaking up play with interceptions and tackles to win possession for his side. Had to also deputise in the backline later in the contest.
CM: Iqi Jawadi (Oakleigh Cannons)
A change of scenery from the champions to the grand finallists looks to have served Jawadi well, who struggled for game time at the back end of 2016. He was back to his usual self now in the Oakleigh midfield, often winning possession and getting the ball moving to teammates.
CM: Phil Petreski (Heidelberg United)
The mid-season addition last year had to bide his time to get a decent run in the first 11, but mounted a good case in the first game that he’s ready to hit the ground running in 2017. A hard-working shift, he did well to get play going for his side and was busy in midfield throughout.
AM: Evan Christodoulou (Avondale FC)
His teammates at Gully may have missed his presence on the weekend, with Avondale the beneficiaries. Christodoulou was a dangerous presence against St Albans with his vision and range of passing and being that key link between the defence/midfield and forward line.
RW: Jordan Templin (Bulleen Lions)
He may have played 65 minutes or so, but Templin’s contribution was profound, especially in a quickfire spell in the second half before his substitution. Two assists to slice open South Melbourne, setting up Oliver White and Brad Clarke, were both quality.
ST: Matt Thurtell (Bentleigh Greens)
Struggled to reach his best in 2016 following his ACL injury a year earlier. Did the hard work for Ross Honos’ opener before striking with a well-taken low shot in the second half to seal the victory.
LW: Elvis Kamsoba (Melbourne Knights)
Another star on debut for their new club across the weekend, Kamsoba’s contribution extended to having a role in both the Knights’ goals. The first was opening his account for 2017 after linking up with Jason Hicks, while he also won a penalty for his side.
Substitutes:
Brendan White (Port Melbourne Sharks)
May have been beaten once but White’s efforts between the sticks very much kept Port Melbourne in the contest and ensured that Heidelberg, despite their lead, didn’t always have it their way to make for a nervous wait for the final whistle.
Mouad Zwed (Kingston City)
Played the role of super-sub for Kingston and earns the role of super sub in this side. His trickery down the left wing led to two goals, crossing in for McIlroy’s strike and then weaving past defenders to win a penalty.
Davey Van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
One of Pascoe Vale’s – and the league’s – most dangerous forwards, Van ‘t Schip got his side off to an ideal start and looked the most likely throughout the contest. A top asset to his side.
Jason Hicks (Melbourne Knights)
Like Kamsoba, Hicks was directly involved in both goals and had a decent afternoon out for the Knights. His deft touch set up the former for his first goal while also dispatching the penalty won.
Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United)
His athleticism and eye for goal continues to trouble opponents who can’t contain him up front. Got his tally up and running for 2017 as he continues to establish himself as one of the league’s top marksmen.