Some week we get no fullback nominations, this week we get too many. That’s just the nature of TOTW and we’ve had to make a bit of an adjustment as a consequence. There were also plenty of attacking nominations, making for a forward line that was directly involved in eight goals.
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GK: Nikola Roganovic (South Melbourne)
This selection picks itself, really. Roganovic’s two penalty saves against Chris Lucas and Troy Ruthven were crucial in preserving South Melbourne’s win over Bentleigh.
RB: Nick Glavan (Melbourne Knights)
Another solid performance against Hume City epitomises Nick Glavan’s fairly impressive season to date that has seen him protect his wing from the likes of Sami Nour and now Theo Markelis.
RCB: Josh Wilkins (Heidelberg United)
With an abundance of fullbacks/wingbacks in the side we had to do a bit of reshuffling to fit Wilkins in the team as a centre-back. He was incredibly busy against Port, bombing up and down the wing to provide both defensive solidity and an added attacking outlet to Heidelberg’s cause.
LCB: Steven Topalovic (Oakleigh Cannons)
Anchored the Cannons defence that ultimately dealt with Victory’s admittedly understrength attacks, helping keep a clean sheet and continue Oakleigh’s recent resurgence for coaching duo Tsolakis and Tangalakis.
LB: Nick Bavcar (Northcote City)
A bit of love for Northcote because while results haven’t been going their way, highlighted by a heartbreaking defeat against Avondale, the effort has been there. This was epitomised by Bavcar at the back, who toiled long to keep Avondale at bay for as long as possible.
DM: Phil Riccobene (Avondale FC)
Nominated as the club’s best on ground in the win over Northcote, Riccobene provided an ever-present shield for the back four, all the while helping his side get the ball moving forward.
DM: Ben Surey (Melbourne Knights)
An outstanding game by the veteran, who was his usual self in midfield, providing invaluable solidity and determination in midfield for his side to overcome an often-menacing Hume City. Helped launch the play which ended in Stipo Andrijasevic’s goal.
AM: Evan Christodoulou (Green Gully)
Had to work overtime to help cover the hole left by Liam Boland up front, and did so with aplomb, providing the first assist for Nick Krousoratis, while delivering a generally dominant performance throughout.
RF: Nick Krousoratis (Green Gully)
Like Christodoulou, had to lift his game in Boland’s absence and did so impressively, scoring with a neat effort before winning the penalty that eventually sealed the three points.
CF: Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United)
A hat-trick helped propel the striker up the golden boot race while bringing Port back down to Earth after a recent good run. Has been growing into the talismanic role in the absence of Dan Heffernan and injury to Kaine Sheppard.
LF: Matt Conversano (Pascoe Vale)
With Vitale Ferrante looking for a new spark for the recently lacklustre Pascoe Vale, he turned to teenager Matt Conversano, who came up trumps. Pounced to put away the first goal before playing the ball in that eventually ended in Jake Nakic’s goal.
Substitutes
Gian Tapia (Richmond SC)
It’s hard to look past Roganovic, but Tapia was also recognised by the club and opponents as having a key input in the game. While he couldn’t keep out Paco’s two first goals, a catalogue of saves late on to deny the likes of Nakic and Kitade most certainly preserved his side’s crucial away point, and really, Richmond are unlucky not to have a starter in the XI.
Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
A lively performance for the left back which resulted in a number of attacking contributions, including the pinpoint free kick that left Konstantinidis in prime position for the equaliser before half time.
Cameron Tew (Pascoe Vale)
A no-nonsense performance at the back that ensured any threat down his wing was averted, doing well against the usually dangerous Hamlet Armenian. May not have had the polish of other attacking fullbacks, and couldn’t do anything about the goals his side copped, but nonetheless had a noteworthy game.
Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
With the clash entering the last 20 minutes still deadlocked, it was a moment of brilliance from Bosnjak that did the damage, taking the ball to the edge of the area before unleashing into the back of the net.
Sean Ellis (Heidelberg United)
Another TOTW appearance for Ellis, who again provided a bright spark up front for the Warriors in their big win, including linking well with Athiu while scoring himself as well.
Daniel Jones (Green Gully)
A clean sheet and a goal marked a productive day out for the captain, who ensured his side kept Bulleen at bay, while also sealing an important three points from the penalty spot after last week’s slip up against Port.