Incredibly harsh not to have a Green Gully player in the starting XI following their win against Port Melbourne, but when push came to shove, those that made the line-up did so because of the impact their respective results had on the season as a whole. As such, there’s more of a representation from the top and bottom sides in the penultimate NPL Victoria Team of the Week for Round 25.
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GK: Alistair Bray (Bentleigh Greens)
While not forced into action too often, Ali Bray was confident and assured in everything he did, which resulted in him not requiring to make the ‘Hollywood’ save. He was cool, calm and collected, mopped up danger and distributed to perfection on a good afternoon for the Greens.
RCB: Shane Rexhepi (Hume City)
Ran close to best on ground for his Herculean effort against Heidelberg United, keeping Dan Heffernan, Kaine Sheppard and substitute Kenny Athiu to nil. A well deserved clean-sheet and a confidence building three points ahead of the NPL finals series.
CB: Steve Cudrig (Werribee City)
One of the best players on the park in Werribee’s 1-0 win over Oakleigh Cannons, the commanding centre-half was a part of a deserved clean sheet for his efforts over 90 minutes. He kept Sean Rooney, Dusan Bosnjak and co. accountable and nearly impacted the scoreboard at the other end with a series of close run headers, one cannoning off the post and out.
LCB: Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
The first of three South Melbourne players to feature after a mammoth 7-0 win against a nine-man Avondale FC, full-back Brad Norton was in commanding form pressing high from defence and contributing plenty to the general play. He grabbed a first half assist for Milos Lujic and stopped a certain goal with South five goals up at the time.
DM: Troy Ruthven (Bentleigh Greens)
The Bentleigh man may have lost his starting XI spot in his sides clash against Port Melbourne, but he marked his return to the line-up with a strong performance, capped off with the goal that kept the Greens in the title race. Was a rock as the defensive midfielder in Bentleigh’s 3-5-2 against Northcote City.
LM: Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
The South Melbourne winger was in fine form as he helped put to bed an Avondale side that collapsed in on itself. Was involved in the build-up to the second goal, assisted the third, created the fourth with a strong press on the Avondale defence before finally adding one of his own, South’s fifth of the night.
CM: Simon Colosimo (Werribee City)
Playing in central midfield as he for most of his early career, Colosimo played a crucial role in shutting down the influence of the Oakleigh centre and dictated most of the play for the Bees on Friday night. But the theatre of his penalty deep into stoppage time to keep Werribee’s survival hopes alive added plenty to his stocks.
CM: Vito Cichello (North Geelong Warriors)
The North Geelong playmaker was in fine form as his side grabbed an all important three points against Dandenong Thunder, helping clear up the relegation picture in the process. His role pulling the strings was inspired, perhaps by the lingering prospect of his team’s possible drop to the NPL1.
RM: Robbie Zadworny (Melbourne Knights)
On a weekend where the North Geelong Warrors starred, it was their former golden boy Robbie Zadworny who managed to help the Knights to a 2-0 win against Pascoe Vale. He scored what proved to be the winner in the 78th minute of their clash.
ST: Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
A hat-trick against the hapless Avondale put Milos Lujic into top spot in the NPL top scorers charts. He did it in fairly convincing fashion too, making the most of some questionable defending and keeping errors. He tapped home for his first two, won the ball to set up Epifano’s goal and then took home the match ball with a late penalty.
ST: Gareth Richards (North Geelong Warriors)
The English forward grabbed his sixth and seventh goals of the year – his fourth in the top-flight with the Warriors – and his brace was an incredibly important one. Off his boot, he managed to put the regional club in pole position for safety, first rounding the keeper to finish before heading in a second to secure the result.
BENCH:
Rodrigo Vargas (Green Gully)
Gully vs. Port was nothing more than a dead rubber fixture, but Roddy Vargas played like Gully had everything on the line. He broke up the play time and time again and displayed courage and leadership from the back.
Matthew Breeze (Green Gully)
A force on the right wing for Green Gully. Showed a good turn of pace, scored just after half-time at a crucial point in the game and was a general menace all game.
Liam Boland (Green Gully)
Another Green Gully scorer, and it was their main man Liam Boland who added yet another goal for his new club. He took his goal well and threatened on multiple occasions throughout.
Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
The Hume captain was in fine form once again for Hume City, buzzing around the entire pitch and making his presence known. Saw plenty of the ball in another good display.
Anthony Ramzy (Northcote City)
Northcote’s Anthony Ramzy was a creative spark at John Cain on the weekend, giving Bentleigh plenty of headaches on the wing. Provided width and delivery before making way just past the hour mark.