GK: Fraser Chalmers (Melbourne Knights)
Put in an immense shift in a largely forgettable game against Bulleen Lions. In tough conditions with fog impeding his vision, Chalmers looked safe with his handling, and could do little for the opener which fell on a plate to Christian Cavallo. Made a number of cracking saves thereon out to deny Michael Disasi, Andreas Govas and Sami Nour.
LCB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
Heidelberg’s best on in the 2-1 win over Avondale FC, Pace was a solid defensive figure throughout the 90 minutes and was ably assisted by Luke Byles and also Lewis Hall placed just in front of the defence. Pace popped up to smash home an equalising goal, as the Bergers mounted a come from behind win.
CB: Felix Rosman (Bulleen Lions)
While he and his Bulleen Lions teammates might have not kept a clean sheet, the veteran defender was played a vital role in limiting the chances that Melbourne Knights had. Besides the goal, which came from a counter attack, the Knights had very little going in the way of clear-cut chances.
RCB: Matthew Foschini (South Melbourne)
Voted as best on ground in the 3-2 win over Richmond SC, Foschini made a return to right-back, a position he played in his days with Melbourne Victory. Having also featured as a defensive midfielder and centre-back this season, Chris Taylor’s team selection proved an inspired choice as he toiled hard to limit Liam Flynn’s impact on the contest, while also impacting the contest heavily in the forward half.
LM: Borbor Sam (Northcote City)
The bright spark in a relatively mundane fixture between Northcote City and Green Gully, Sam provided plenty of pace, deception and quality delivery into Gully’s 18-yard-box. For their opponents, mid-season signing Jay Davies was their most dangerous outlet.
CM: Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh Greens)
Utilised in a deeper role against the Oakleigh Cannons, Holmes was praised for his performance not in creating opportunities, but halting them, as he did a role on the in-form Dusan Bosnjak to keep him away from the scorers list.
RM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
Starting on the right side of midfield, Hume skipper Hegarty was allowed creative freedom to roam and impact the game all across the park in a 6-0 win over Melbourne Victory. Assisted the second goal with a perfect curling corner for Craig Carley, scored his side’s third with a peach of a finish across the face of goals, before applying the final cross for Kristian Trajceski’s goal.
LW: Sean Ellis (Heidelberg United)
The Heidelberg man was the key to unlocking the Avondale FC defence, as most of their positive work in the attacking half came through the Scotsman. His free-kick in the 71st minute helped set up the opening goal, while he looped in a header to complete the comeback for the Bergers.
ST: Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
Arguably the league’s in-form forward, van ‘t Schip was once again on fire for Pascoe Vale, netting twice in the first half to set up a comfortable 3-0 win over Port Melbourne. Johnny on the spot to intercept a loose ball for his first, while he executed a perfect turn and volley to complete his brace. Missed from the spot for his hat-trick.
ST: Craig Carley (Hume City)
Carley has been in immense form for Hume since completing a mid-season move from regional Victoria, and netted both his fifth and sixth goals for his new side in the 6-0 win over Melbourne Victory. Also added an assist with a clever back-heel to the onrushing Hegarty to finish.
RW: Goran Zoric (Oakleigh Cannons)
The exciting winger rolled back the years with a dazzling waltz around the Bentleigh defence before delightfully dinking the ball past Ryan Scott. His overall attacking contribution was solid throughout the match with his link up play with the likes of Bosnjak, Hatzimouratis and Piemonte excellent at times.
Substitutes:
Chris Oldfield (Hume City)
While Hume City had plenty of enjoyment in their attacking half, they had Chris Oldfield to thank for keeping a clean sheet, as the keeper put in another superb display of shot stopping to deny the Melbourne Victory attackers across the 90 minutes, with an all-round good display of athleticism, reflexes and handling. Rani Dowisha was another strong goalkeeping performer this weekend.
Luke Pilkington (Bentleigh Greens)
Once again tasked with the job at centre-half in the absence of Ross Archibald through injury, Pilkington put in a brave display to help his side do the job against Oakleigh Cannons, with the partnership between him and Jack Webster blossoming. Scored his second goal of the season as well.
Steve Hatzikostas (South Melbourne)
Somewhat of a cumulative pick after a few weeks of hard work in the South Melbourne engine room, Hatzikostas was once again amongst the bests in his 88 minutes on the pitch. Worked hard to supplement South’s attacking play, while also moving back to break up the play with some tough tackling.
Omar Ammache (Avondale FC)
The forward was Avondale’s best attacking outlet and provided forward drive in his search to extend the 1-0 lead that Avondale held over Heidelberg. Drifted across both flanks as well as through the middle before coming off with an injured hamstring on 70 minutes. Teammate Jonatan Germano was also a decent performer on the day.
Nicolas Niagioran (Richmond SC)
After making a mockery of the South Melbourne defence in their 6-3 meeting earlier this season, Niagioran was again brilliant in a small 30 minute cameo, on his return from injury. Scored a goal, assisted the second and had a couple chances to add to his tally.