GK: Chris May (Avondale FC)
The first of three Avondale players to make the team, May was again a good performer without having to make a lot of saves. He was very comfortable through the air and made a good stop in the second half.
RB: Gonzalo Munoz (Pascoe Vale)
A bright spark in Pascoe Vale’s 2-1 win over Oakleigh Cannons, which keeps them just in the hunt for finals football. The right-back got forward with confidence and won the penalty that saw Marino Gasparis convert to give Paco a 2-0 lead.
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
The best on ground in the win over Hume City that sent Heidelberg into second place on the NPL Victoria ladder. Did plenty of grunt work, was brilliant in the air and then capped his game off with a goal line clearance.
CB: Will Abbott (Bulleen Lions)
Man of the match in the scoreless draw with Port Melbourne, Abbott was phenomenal to keep the Port Melbourne forwards under wraps. He was called upon on many occasions and responded by mopping up danger and ensuring his side earned a clean sheet.
CB: Bryan Bran (Richmond SC)
Lead from defence in a massive win over Northcote City. He was the rock Richmond were able to lean upon and was calm in his approach. Northcote found it hard work to get around the defender.
LB: Tyler James (Port Melbourne Sharks)
Played at right back, but shifts across to the left side for this Team of the Week, James was Port Melbourne’s best in a game for the defenders in the 0-0 draw with Bulleen Lions. He combined well with his right wing teammates and kept his side watertight.
LM: Kamal Ibrahim (Bentleigh Greens)
Since returning from injury, Kamal Ibrahim has finally managed to find his feet in 2016 and return the type of form that saw him win the FFV Gold Medal in 2015. He was electric down the left wing and offered plenty of attacking intent for the Greens, including the opening goal, which came with a brilliant curling effort.
CM: Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens)
On the day that fellow Englishman Jack Webster was celebrating his 150th game for Bentleigh, it was Wayne Wallace that perhaps did the most to ensure his teammate went off the pitch victorious. Wallace was industrious and clinical, finishing expertly from outside the box to double Bentleigh’s advantage.
RM: Jonatan Germano (Avondale FC)
The catalyst in Avondale’s shock win over South Melbourne, which secured their top-flight status for another season. Germano was at the forefront of everything positive that Avondale did and rounded off a polished performance with a brace to extend his side into a 3-0 lead.
ST: Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United)
Scored what could have been the fastest goal in NPL Victoria history, netting after just 19 seconds of game time. The striker capped it off with a second to take his season tally to 16 – which puts him just three goals behind Milos Lujic in the chase for the Golden Boot.
ST: Oleksiy Khrapko (Avondale FC)
Avondale’s quiet achiever in the win over South. Khrapko was combative and put his body about to make life tough for his opposition defenders. Help the ball up well and was able to draw fouls as the lynchpin of the Avondale attack.
Substitutes:
Griffin McMaster (Bulleen Lions)
Came away with a clean sheet over Port Melbourne Sharks and was solid throughout without having to make too many saves. Added calmness to the Lions backline.
Alex Caniglia (Richmond SC)
One of two Richmond players to feature on the bench this week, winger Caniglia scored the sealer in the 89th minute and was a constant thorn in the side of the Northcote defence.
Hamlet Armenian (Richmond SC)
Armenian was the man called upon to help Richmond steer around a 1-0 deficit in the relegation six-pointer against Northcote City. He did so with two assists in a frantic final 10 minutes, which lifted Richmond over Northcote and away from automatic relegation.
Jack Petrie (Heidelberg United)
The midfielder dictated play and was up against a Hume City midfield with plenty of attacking weapons. Narrowed their impact on the game and kept possession well.
Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
A dirty night for Hume who couldn’t get the job done against Heidelberg United despite creating a number of chances. Hegarty looked the most likely with his quality set pieces and delivery from wide areas causing the Bergers a number of problems.