It was one of the most complete performances from Melbourne City so far this year, and despite a relatively close scoreline, the hosts were well worth their win at AAMI Park. The midfielders stood out, but who was the man of the match? Read on with our match ratings.
***
GK: Andrew Redmayne – 5
Didn’t have much to do in a pretty complete performance from the outfield contingent for Melbourne City. Made a couple of decent stops which he would be expected to make and was culpable for the opener.
RB: Jason Hoffman (1 assist)– 7.5
The defensive reinforcement in the form of January signings Jack Clisby and Safuwan Baharudin may have given Hoffman the push he needed and he put in a great shift at right back. The natural forward kept Mark Bridge anonymous as he worked tirelessly down the wing.
CB: Connor Chapman – 8
Was fantastic as a stopping centre-half, telegraphing the play and pressing higher up to kill off any potential danger. Looks a class signing for Melbourne City and will only get better with time.
CB: Paddy Kisnorbo – 7.5
Complements Chapman perfectly, adding a steely, all business approach to defending. Won nearly every aerial duel and deserved a clean sheet for his performance.
LB: Ben Garuccio – N/A
Subbed early with what was reported as a rolled ankle.
DM: Erik Paartalu – 6.5
Played a strong role in City’s solidarity in defence. Did the simple stuff well and was very well aided by Melling in his defensive duties.
CM: Jacob Melling (1 goal) – 8.5
Call him Chux because he just seems to mop up danger with ease. Just runs all day, and although he was a little lax on the ball at times, his box-to-box play more than made up for it. Scored his maiden A-League goal to cap off a complete performance.
✮ CM: Aaron Mooy (1 assist, 1 goal) – 8.5 ✮
Did what he’s done all year against his former side. How they must be missing him after laying off an assist and scoring a pearler of a strike from outside the area. Works ever so hard through the centre and ran the midfield with his delivery and forward movement. Played a silky back heel to play in Ramsay.
RW: Damien Duff – 7.5
Was subbed mid-way through the second half after putting in an enthusiastic shift on the right flank, putting in a number of quality deliveries on both feet.
CF: Robi Koren – 7
The international marquee may not have expected to play in the more advanced role, but given Josh Kennedy’s late withdrawal, he was the man to slip forward. He was dangerous throughout, and could very easily have had a goal or two to his name, were it not for some good stops by Covic and his defence.
LW: Iain Ramsay – 3
Not much needs to be said about his game. Started promisingly on the left flank and impacted the contest throughout. Unfortunately it was in the Wanderers favour as he missed a number of gilt-edged chances to break the deadlock. His confidence seems to be shot after being utilized as a full-back with little success.
SUB: Jack Clisby (on 35’) – 7
Made a very promising debut for City, as the former Perth Glory youngster came on early for the injured Garuccio. His passing was crisp and most importantly, he cancelled out Rukavystya’s impact entirely.
SUB: David Williams (on 66’) – 6
Impacted the contest positivelt in his short time on the field. Should have had an assist for his troubles, were it not for a inexplicable miss from Ramsay.
SUB: Mass Murdocca (on 81’) – N/A
Subbed on late for Ramsay.
***
Votes:
3. Aaron Mooy
2. Jacob Melling
1. Connor Chapman
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
85.5 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
60.5 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
45.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
39 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
38 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
37.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
30 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
29.5 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
22.5 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Carl Valeri (Melbourne Victory)
20 – David Williams (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Robert Koren (Melbourne City)
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)
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 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7 – Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)