Graphic: Alesich Design
The final Team of the Week of the season sees Bulleen dominate selection after they managed to triumph over Hume City to stay up for another season, while a teenage debutant also make an appearance after a bright display.
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GK Griffin McMaster (Bulleen Lions)
Made a number of decent saves in the first half to deny Theo Markelis and was comfortable in collecting crosses all afternoon. An impressive campaign from the veteran gloveman.
RB: Josh Wilkins (Heidelberg United)
The fullback did what was required against Melbourne Victory in a game that saw Heidelberg seal a second place berth. His opposite number in Les Doumbalis grabbed headlines with a scorching goal from distance, but it was Wilkins’ contribution at both ends that saw him earn a nod.
CB: Ross Archibald (Bentleigh Greens)
Archibald has slotted back seamlessly into the Greens defence since returning from injury and is a welcomed figure as his side head into the business end of the season. Netted a header and was an all-round solid figure at the heart of defence.
CB: Will Abbott (Bulleen Lions)
The centre-half was on his game to deny plenty of aerial delivery coming from the boot of Markelis and Nick Hegarty from wide areas. Battled hard to overcome the physical and poachers threat of Tom Cahill and Craig Carley.
LB: Nathan Tidmarsh (Bulleen Lions)
Offered a good outlet on the overlap and did what he bad to do defensively against Markelis and Jeremy Walker to help himself to a clean sheet. Spurned a good early chance to open the scoring.
CM: Harry Noon (Heidelberg United)
Ran the show in a commanding man-of-the-match performance in the middle of the park, which saw the Heidelberg United man use the ball with plenty of conviction. Proved too much of a physical match for the youngsters in the Melbourne Victory midfield – and even the match official at one point – and helped overpower them in a 4-1 win.
AM: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
The Cannons midfielder grabbed another brace to take his season tally to 20 goals. His first was an impeccable curling effort off the upright and he capped off a nice team move for his second.
AM: Marcus Schroen (South Melbourne)
The creative force capped off a brilliant league campaign with a man-of-the-match performance in the 4-2 win over Green Gully, playing a part in all four goals on the afternoon. His killer ball helped create South’s first goal while it was his cross from a corner that lead to Kristian Konstantinidis’ stunning hit. He slid Milos Lujic in for the third before sealing the tie with a brilliant goal at the death.
LW: Ryan Paczkowski (Bentleigh Greens)
Two goals in a big win over Port Melbourne was just reward for Bentleigh’s industrious winger who was given an early rest with finals and FFA Cup approaching. The Englishman followed up a missed penalty to open the scoring before tucking home from a tight angle for his second.
ST: Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
The target man secured his best ever NPL Victoria return with 25 league goals, which saw him secure a fourth straight Golden Boot award. He did so with two goals against Green Gully which were well taken and a result of his good work leading the lines.
RW: Matthew Lazaridis (Pascoe Vale)
The right forward put in a good shift against the Melbourne Knights and while his goal in the opening stages of the second half may have come in fortuitous fashion, it was no less than he deserved for an industrious performance down the right. Laid the ball off for Paco’s second.
Substitutes:
Phil Petrovski (Northcote City)
Despite conceding three goals, which did see Northcote relegated for the first time since 2009, Petrovski put in an assured display between the sticks, making a number of brilliant saves to keep his side in the hunt for the three points that would’ve kept their season alive.
Oleksiy Khrapko (Avondale FC)
Scored the equaliser with a powerful effort and looked the most likely throughout the contest. Was ably assisted by Mass Murdocca who had a good game pulling the strings from midfield.
Nicolas Niagioran (Richmond SC)
Won the penalty that saw Richmond take a first half lead, while the young forward got involved in other facets of the contest with some good link up play and good use of his frame.
Takanori Nishimoto (Bulleen Lions)
The right winger got involved in plenty of Bulleen’s best moments in the win over Hume City, linking up well with his teammates and hounding down opponents. Grabbed the opener through a rare headed goal.
Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United)
Became the third Berger to get his name on the scoresheet with a sliding effort while his presence helped create the own goal for the Bergers’ sealer. He was energetic throughout and had chances to add to his season tally without breaking through.
Fin Olsen (Bentleigh Greens)
The youngster was handed a league debut by coach John Anastasiadis and was a constant threat in his 20 or so minutes on the park. The winger took just eight minutes to grab a goal on debut too, darting into the penalty box and finishing.