In what may be a first for TOTW, the starting XI is made up of players from 11 different clubs, with no multiples from any club in the side. Plenty more bench additions rewarded clubs and players who shone in particular in their games.
***
GK: Nikola Roganovic (South Melbourne)
Another monster performance in goals from Roganovic. Especially stood up in the face of a late Gully barrage, holding the fort to both preserve the three points for South Melbourne, and a clean sheet for himself.
CB: Roddy Vargas (Green Gully)
Apart from the penalty, there was not much Gully did to concede. It was Vargas for the most part who ensured the visitors didn’t have an easy outlet on goal, with Milos Lujic unable to find the back of the net as a consequence.
CB: Felix Rosman (Bulleen Lions)
Cue the fine wine comparisons because Rosman just gets better with age. Despite nearing 40, his ageless performance saw Bulleen well-protected at the back against the threat of Hume’s often-prolific forward line.
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens)
It was a tough away trip for Bentleigh, but Webster ensured they got the three points out of it with another assured appearance at the back. Both a clean sheet and scoring the winner in a 1-0 win is certainly worthy of a TOTW spot.
CM: Jonatan Germano (Avondale FC)
No surprise Germano, when injury-free, is a massive asset to any team. Showed his pedigree and ability to step up in crucial moments when scoring a last ditch equaliser for Avondale with a clinical effort. Also scored a penalty earlier in the game to net his first and second league goals for his club.
CM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
Even when Hume City struggles to perform or pick up the points, one given is Hegarty’s tireless and spirited performance for his club. While it went without reward, the captain’s effort and endeavour didn’t go unnoticed against Bulleen.
RAM: Alex Caniglia (Richmond SC)
Continues to be a real asset for Richmond on the wing, scoring once and being involved in creating opportunities for his side. Was also well-noted for his effort in trying to win possession, even late in the game when tired legs would have been an issue.
CAM: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
Carried on his good form in scoring the winning goal for the second week running. The late strike to sink Northcote formed one half of his brace on the day, with his combined technicality and physicality in the front third shining through.
LAM: Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
We’ll fit him on the left this week. He may only be 22 himself, but as one of the older heads in a youthful Melbourne Knights side, Andrijasevic has consistently stepped up and performed when it counts. He was at it again at CB Smith with a double, helping his team bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to Avondale.
ST: Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United)
A welcome return to the starting line-up saw Athiu too physical and capable for Victory’s youngsters, dominating with a brace to propel himself back to the top of the goalscoring charts in the NPL.
ST: Joey Katebian (Melbourne Victory)
One of the shining lights in a tough season for Victory to date, Katebian has overcome his own injury troubles to put in regular goalscoring performances. Scored what ended up two consolation strikes against Heidelberg to take his season tally to eight, just one behind the leading pack.
Substitutes:
Griffin McMaster (Bulleen Lions)
A clean sheet was appropriate reward for McMaster, who thwarted Hume when the opportunities presented themselves for the visitors. Like Rosman, his experience at the back helped preserve the three points at crucial moments.
Jason Hicks (Melbourne Knights)
Really, really unlucky not to be in the starting line-up, given his telling contribution against Pascoe Vale. It wasn’t just about the goal, but his ability to fashion opportunities to teammates with his vision and delivery into dangerous areas.
Ryan Paczkowski (Benteligh Greens)
Another of Bentleigh’s danger players who in another week could have made the starting line-up, Paczkowski continued his stellar month with a busy performance up front. Provided the corner kick that ultimately led to Webster’s winner.
Jack Petrie (Heidelberg United)
Worked as hard as usual in Heidelberg’s engine room to break up play and get the ball moving forward to the benefit of the front third. Petrie’s contributions often fly under the radar when compared to the likes of Athiu’s goalscoring feats, but he’s nonetheless another vital cog in George Katsakis’ machine.
Anthony Ramzy (Northcote City)
A more promising performance by Northcote included an important strike by Ramzy which helped his side gain some momentum and come back against Oakleigh. While it was ultimately in vain as his side went on to lose, his 80 minutes on the park was highlighted by his first goal of the campaign.
Matt Theodore (South Melbourne)
Theodore has really cemented his place in the side and was a real presence in midfield, always running and looking positive with the ball at his feet. Rattled the woodwork in a moment where he was unlucky not to add to South’s tally.
Nikola Jurkovic (Melbourne Knights)
Jurkovic was shifted to centre back in the absence of the likes of Batur and Grgic against Pascoe Vale, and alongside a mostly youthful backline, the defensive midfielder by trade stood tall and put in a disciplined performance.