Round 20 saw one fixture postponed due to conditions, but also replaced by another catch-up fixture – Richmond vs Oakleigh – that we factored in to this week. So therefore there are no Avondale or Northcote players in the TOTW this round. And with not many blowouts, the team sees a fair share of players spread around from various clubs.
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GK: John Honos (Oakeleigh Cannons)
The Oakleigh keeper had a productive week over the club’s two fixtures. Kept a clean sheet against Victory, but was also much busier against Richmond, where he had to deny the hosts on a number of occasions to keep his side in the contest. Reliable as ever.
RB: Gonzalo Munoz (Pascoe Vale)
Another impactful performance from the new recruit since joining, Munoz provided a near faultless showing that ensured Pascoe Vale were well protected at the back while also linking well going forward.
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
His usual composed and resilient self in the Heidelberg defensive line, Pace made sure Port Melbourne didn’t have the easiest route on goal, often reading the play well and preventing counter-attacks. Contributed to the clean sheet.
CB: Petar Franjic (Hume City)
On an upward curve of continual improvement in his return to the squad, Franjic has developed a good understanding with his backline members Walker, Rama and Rexhepi, and was again at his solid best against the Knights. Nullified many threats and contributed to the clean sheet.
LB: Yohei Iwasaki (Green Gully)
A good display on the left from Iwasaki prevented his side from being breached during the clean sheet, whilst also providing a key contribution for the victory. It was his cross that fell to Taseski for the winning goal and another three points on the road for Gully.
CM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
Another captain’s knock from Hegarty, who ran the middle of the park and sliced open the Melbourne Knights defence with direct involvement in two goals as Hume ran riot in the second half. Assisted Tom Cahill for one of his goals, and Theo Markelis for his.
CM: Lambros Honos (Bentleigh Greens)
A creative outlet who provided many dangerous moments for Bentleigh, which eventually undid South. In particular, his set-pieces were troubling, with one leading to the all-important equaliser to Webster that set Bentleigh on their way – then his run and shot led to the sealing goal for Tyson Holmes.
AM: Luka Prelevic (Pascoe Vale)
As the attacking midfielder, Prelevic enjoyed an impactful night on the pitch, with his moment of attacking prowess finding the back of the net. The curling strike proved decisive and secured Pascoe Vale three more points – a big turnaround from its early season woes to sit mid-table.
AM: Tom Cahill (Hume City)
Revelling in his no. 10 role, Cahill put on a masterclass in finishing and keeping the intensity well into the late stages of the contest, opening the scoring just under the hour mark, and finishing proceedings with his second just before the 90 was up. Has been a key factor in Hume’s upward form post mid-season.
AM: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
A class above in both games, Bosnjak scored in both his club’s fixtures to ensure finals football is almost a certainty at Jack Edwards Reserve in 2016. Netted the solitary winner against Victory after starting the play that led to the goal, and also struck against Richmond to help his side fight back and take three points against the relegation battlers.
ST: Nic Niagoran (Richmond SC)
Picked in particular for his showing against Oakleigh, Niagoran had a busy night in front of goal. Provided an assist to Caniglia while also scoring himself past the in-form John Honos – no easy feat considering the custodian had a top night in goal. The big forward may just prove crucial in Richmond’s survival hopes.
Substitutes
Rani Dowisha (Green Gully)
One of those nights from a goalkeeping perspective that while Dowisha’s goal wasn’t peppered with shots, he stood tall when called upon, keeping the ball out of the net in a few key moments. He preserved a clean sheet and another three points for Gully.
Matt Foschini (South Melbourne)
A hard-working, industrious performance by Foschini, always trying to win the ball and finding himself in many places on the pitch to cover. Ensured some of Bentleigh’s usual midfield performers had their effect minimised for long periods.
Chris Lucas (Bentleigh Greens)
A busy bee in the front third, Lucas was causing all sorts of headaches with his pace and contributed greatly to the outcome of the match. Was the catalyst for the red card after getting in behind the defence, while he also teed up Thurtell for Bentleigh’s go-ahead goal.
Jack Petrie (Heidelberg United)
Just the same old reliable Petrie in the middle of the park. Helped Heidelberg gain an ascendancy that ensured his side had the running going forward, winning many challenges in midfield.
Christian Cavallo (Bulleen Lions)
Certainly while the night didn’t go Bulleen’s way, just lacking the knockout blow on the night, Cavallo was picked out as one of his side’s best in a night filled with lots of effort, energy and persistence on the wing.