Death, taxes and a Chris May extra-time penalty save are almost life’s certainties now. Elsewhere, it’s good to see a few new faces in TOTW, with Port Melbourne and North Geelong players getting in on the act following rare victories.
GK: Chris May (Melbourne Knights)
Honestly, what more is there to say? Second extra-time penalty save in a week. Wins the game against South Melbourne in the derby. #Scenes.
RB: Adrian Talarico (Pascoe Vale)
Hasn’t had the same amount of TOTW love as compatriot Jake Halliday, but Talarico goes on about his business unassumingly. Put in another good shift at right back, a combination of defensive stability with a clean sheet to boot, and added something going forward for Paco.
CB: Shane Rexhepi (Hume City)
In forcing Bentleigh to just their second scoreless game of the season, Rexhepi was instrumental at the back for Hume City. Read the play well and got himself in positions to deny Bentleigh space on the ball.
CB: Michael Grgic (North Geelong Warriors)
Kept the hosts’ chances on goal to a minimum with a brilliant showing in the heart of North Geelong’s defence. Also popped up at the other end with an assist for Richards’ all important first goal.
LB: James Riccobene (Port Melbourne Sharks)
A clean sheet and a goal summed up a top night for the hard working defender, who barely gave his opponents a sniff, while getting up and striking a goal of his own. Played his part in helping Port to a first win in ages.
CM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
Did all the usual good things in Hume’s midfield, including scoring a brace. But it’ll be his long bomb from past the halfway line that will forever be etched in Hume City folklore.
LM: Evan Kounavelis (Northcote City)
A threat on the wing throughout the contest with his dangerous dribbling and goal sense, Kounavelis scored one and looked like grabbing a couple more, a just reward for his good form this season.
RM: Luca Santilli (Pascoe Vale)
An exquisite performance on the wing. Santili scored a cracking effort with a chip over the ‘keeper, but also played a lovely curling through ball for Van’t Schip’s goal. Clinical.
CAM: Joseph Youssef (Pascoe Vale)
The Pascoe Vale captain is in the form of his career, keeping his scoring streak going by scoring one penalty (and winning another). Werribee were just unable to handle his prowess in attacking midfield.
ST: Gareth Richards (North Geelong Warriors)
In a season where scoring has been hard to come by for North Geelong, goals have been like precious raindrops in a drought. Therefore, Richards’ brace acted as a deluge, sending the Warriors on their way to victory over Avondale to keep their survival hopes alive.
ST: Nicholas Krousoratis (Port Melbourne Sharks)
Got a start and made the most of it, scoring a sensational brace. All but cements his spot in the starting XI and gives the Sharks hope for a strong finish to 2015.
BENCH:
Chris Oldfield (Hume City)
Regardless how down and out Bentleigh may look, they always have the capacity to claw their way back into a game. But Oldfield denied the Greens any sniff of a comeback, pulling off a number of confident saves to earn a deserved clean sheet. Any other week he would have been a guaranteed TOTW starter.
Tomislav Uskok (Melbourne Knights)
Whether it’s playing at the back or in defensive midfield, the inspirational captain always gets the job done for the Knights. Whilst the penalty call was against Uskok, it doesn’t take anything away from his commanding game leading the Knights’ rearguard.
Massimo Murdocca (Avondale FC)
Added class to the Avondale midfield, rarely losing possession in an otherwise cagey contest. Laid the foundations for an Avondale comeback with a somewhat scrappy goal.
Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
Had a field day in Pascoe Vale’s forward line, putting on a display that included lots of trickery, successful take-ons and a superb finish into the far corner of the net for his goal. Has been a super fill-in as a centre forward in Jake Nakic’s absence.
Jai Ingham (Hume City)
Whilst he benefited from a ‘keeper error for the goal, it was Ingham’s work on the wing that won him more accolades, linking up with teammates to help create a number of opportunities with fluent play.