GK: Rani Dowisha (Green Gully)
Makes a Team of the Week both as an accumulation of a season’s worth of good work, along with another solid performance between the sticks. In the face of an ever-potent Hume attack, not only had to be on guard to stop shots, but also help marshall the defence in the absence of Roddy Vargas, with Matt Reid his fill-in.
RB: Tim Mala (South Melbourne)
Made his way back into the line-up and provided the defensive performance required to keep Victory’s youngsters at bay throughout the 90. A usual Tim Mala game.
CB: Matthew Reid (Green Gully)
Stepped in for Roddy Vargas and did an exceptional job, not just because of the difference in age and experience between the two, but also due to a deviation from his usual right-back role at Gully.
CB: Steve Pantelidis (Oakleigh Cannons)
As usual, provided the defensive stability and assuredness in the back third to ensure the Knights had little way of finding a route on goal. While Oakleigh’s forward players did their job up the other end, Pantelidis ensured Knights’ usual home dominance wasnullfied.
LB: Abdalla Okud (Oakleigh Cannons)
A bright showing from the fullback who had his opposition covered for the majority of the contest, making his debut showing in the Team of the Week this season.
CM: Jeff Fleming (Avondale FC)
Whether it was winning a crucial challenge, intercepting a pass or getting the ball forward, the veteran showed all his experience and usual reliability to key reason Avondale won on the night by restricting Port’s attacking opportunities.
CM: Jonathan Bounas (Northcote City)
Most of the talk will surround his free kick, but Bounas also put in a hard-working shift as usual in his attempts to pull Northcote out of their slump.
CM: Harry Noon (Heidelberg United)
One of the top imports this season so far, the very distinctive Noon was again ever-present in Heidelberg’s midfield, showing his usual flair for getting forward which was rewarded with a goal.
AM: Josh Barresi (Bulleen Lions)
It was an ideal introduction into the NPL for the attacking midfielder, who got Bulleen off the mark against Northcote with a brilliant solo effort, adding a much-needed spark to the front third.
LF: Ryan Paczkowski (Bentleigh Greens)
A handful of assists underscored the forward’s night against Pascoe Vale, creating havoc for his opposition defence. While he didn’t score, his goal contributions were telling.
RF: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
Initially a substitute, but after Kenny Athiu went down after his 17th minute goal, Sheppard took up where he left off on his own return from injury with a goal and two assists.
Substitutes
Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens)
Another great showing in midfield by the Greens veteran, whose assuredness and grit in midfield helped his side win the battle on the night, and he also profited from a Paczkowski corner with a goal.
James Riccobene (Port Melbourne)
While it was the other Riccobene in a winning side, Riccobene provided a good combination of defensive duties with an eye to get forward and provide a dangerous delivery forward.
Evan Christodoulou (Green Gully)
Liam Boland was back on the starter’s list but it was Christodoulou again taking on goalscoring responsibility, putting a neat low finish to net the eventual winner.
Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
Like his fullback counterpart Mala, Norton was also commanding on his wing both defensively and in getting forward to provide a
Phil Petrovski (Northcote City)
A few nervy moments for the custodian, and couldn’t do anything to deny Barresi’s stunner, but Petrovski overall had a solid showing between the sticks to ensure his side preserved at least the point.