GK: Chris Theodoridis (Northcote City)
A strong showing from Northcote City’s custodian, despite playing in a losing side. Made some crucial saves, especially in the first half, including a great stop to deny Warrior Mark Paleka.
LB: James Riccobene (Port Melbourne Sharks)
James Riccobene put in solid shift at left back to mark a second straight Team of the Week appearance. He pushed forward plenty and grabbed an assist with an inch perfect corner.
CB: Matt Townley (North Geelong Warriors)
Skipper Matt Townley was immense for the Warriors in denying an in-form Northcote City passageway on goals. He was brave and commanding, and helped his side earn a well deserved clean sheet.
RB: Dion Kirk (Bentleigh Greens)
A Team of the Week debut for the former South Melbourne midfielder who has been a key component of Bentleigh Green’s defence since the departure of Tom Matthews. While his work so far has gone unheralded, he earns a spot in the Team of the Week. Tirelessly ran and ensured that his wing was kept nice and tight.
RM: Adrian Zahra (Port Melbourne Sharks)
A best on ground performance from Sharks winger Adrian Zahra culminated in a good headed goal to go alongside his ever dangerous wing-play. Rotated between the front few spots and took the game on, often beating his defender to create goal-scoring opportunities.
DM: Tomas Murphy (Green Gully)
The Team of the Week debutant was the creative force driving the midfield in Green Gully’s spectacular come from behind win against the Melbourne Knights. Murphy helped set up two goals to spark a comeback in his best game in Gully colours.
DM: Jack Petrie (Heidelberg United)
Jack Petrie played a tireless game helping control the contest against Oakleigh Cannons. He was full of energy and his passing as always was metronomic in nature. An important part of the Bergers engine room.
CM: Vito Cichello (North Geelong Warriors)
The playmaker was the best on ground in North Geelong’s second successive league win. Often looked forwards when looking for a pass, he put in an industrious shift and looked the most likely to create something in the final third. Reardo Luka was another strong performer on the win for the Warriors.
LM: Reuben Way (Heidelberg United)
A simply sublime performance from Reuben Way had those onlookers at Olympic Village gobsmacked. Not only did he score two goals in quick succession, but one of those strikes was absolutely world-class.
ST: Oleksiy Khrapko (Avondale FC)
Avondale FC’s power forward helped his side to a convincing 3-0 win over the struggling Dandenong Thunder. He was a menace all day up top and scored a goal for his troubles, while looking likely to grab a second.
ST: Liam Boland (Green Gully)
The former Oakleigh hitman has been in stellar form since making the switch to Gully and his two goals on the weekend against the Knights puts him in real contention for the Golden Boot.
***
BENCH:
Liam McCormick (Bentleigh Greens)
The midfielder was in the thick of things once again for Bentleigh in their win against Pascoe Vale. He opened the scoring with a sublime finish and nearly provided an assist for Chris Lucas, who was denied by Paco’s Alex Pavlidis. An all-action performance.
Alan Kearney (Port Melbourne Sharks)
The Irishman was his usual dominant self in midfield, commandeering possession and showing his ability to pick out a pass. A star in the middle.
Ryan De Vries (Bentleigh Greens)
The third Greens player to impress in their 2-1 win against Vale, he was bright on the flank and popped up with a second half winner with a well taken header. Threatened the goal on a number of other occasions.
Simon Tolli (Green Gully)
The Gully winger can count himself desperately unlucky not to make the starting XI after a super outing in their win against the Knights. It was his hard work that seemed to inspire his side and he scored the first to get the ball rolling.
Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
The Melbourne Knights forward has thrived on the extra responsibility on him since the departure of Andrew Barisic and added another two goals to his season tally against Green Gully. Had the Knights performed in the second 45 minutes of that game, I’d suggest he’d have been in the starting XI this week.
Dan Heffernan (Heidelberg United)
Another strong Bergers performance for striker Dan Heffernan who scored one and assisted another. Took his goal beautifully as well, connecting onto a Kaine Sheppard cross and heading into the net with conviction. A final special mention to young Milos Ilic who was another good performer for the Bergers in defence.