The final East Team of the Month in 2016 factors in all of August and the one standalone game in September. Murray United make their return this month after doubling their points tally over this period while the Eastern Lions and the promoted East Champions Kingston City were the form teams of the competition. Box Hill began the month poorly but finished strongly to record three consecutive victories to finish fourth. There is also another appearance for the league’s top goalscorer (his sixth consecutive) while Brunswick and Springvale are also well represented after solid overall campaigns.
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GK: Chris van Corler (Eastern Lions)
You would be forgiven for thinking the teenager is older than 18 but he has shown maturity beyond his years in commanding the Lions goals after making his senior debut mid-way through the campaign. Two clean sheets opened his month before making many telling saves in subsequent matches.
RB: Kobbie Boahene (Box Hill United)
Shafted into an unfamiliar right-back role, the former Melbourne Victory Youth excelled in the position both defensively and in attack where his contribution has not gone without notice. Three goals in each of the last three games have helped Pythagoras collect 9 points and finish the season in 4th on the East standings.
SW: Thomas Falconer (Eastern Lions)
Replaces his teammate and fellow Lions veteran Andrew Williams at the heart of the defence for his inaugural TOTM appearance. Played his part as the Lions conceded only four goals in the final five outings of the season including a notable performance in keeping Brandon Barnes quiet.
LB: Adrian Del Monaco (Box Hill United)
The former Melbourne Knights defender found some of his best form in the past month with another run of solid displays on the left-hand side of the United defence. While Greg Kassidas’ men began the month with two straight home losses, they rebounded to record three consecutive victories with ‘Del’ being at the heart of the late-season revival.
CM: Samuel Catherine (Dandenong Thunder)
A mid-season signing from Richmond, the crafty midfielder was one of the Thunder’s best in an inconsistent month for Huss Skenderovic’s men. Began the month in style by netting against Bendigo before scoring the winner against Werribee. Far from disgraced in subsequent matches, he was one of his side’s best against Springvale.
CM: Ashley Dunn (Murray United)
Made the bench all the way back in February and is the first United player since Zac Walker that month to gain a TOTM starting birth. The Englishman impressed with his prominent displays in the middle of the park as James Coutts’ side doubled their season points tally, with Dunn scoring in the final round win over Nunawading.
RW: Mouad Zwed (Kingston City)
One of Kingston’s best performers over the course of the season, the Polish-born Libyan makes his third TOTM appearance from the last four after netting a goal minutes after being introduced against St Albans while winning plenty of admirers due to his ability to take on players and set up goals.
RAM: Isaiah Joseph (Springvale White Eagles)
The teenager has had a breakthrough season with Springvale and ended the season well by netting a valuable brace away to Bendigo and a further goal at home to Murray. His combination play with teammates John Pykett and Damir Stoilovic and dribbling skills are very pleasing on the eyes.
LAM: Zdenek Koukal (Kingston City)
The former Czech youth international once again showed off his versatility by being handed the number 10 role and thrived in the process. Crucial winners against Sunshine and Goulburn were sandwiched in between a memorable brace away to Thunder in the 4-3 thriller at George Andrews Reserve.
LW: Jose Portillo (Brunswick City)
While he may have not hit double figures like last season, the enigmatic attacker ended the season on a high thanks to being a constant menace in the eyes of opposition defences. Scored against Sunshine and Goulburn before almost derailing Kingston’s promotion push with a first-half opener.
CF: Philip Ajao (Eastern Lions)
Came into August having only scored once (on the opening day) this term but quickly tripled his tally with lone strikes against the two Moreland sides. A standout performance against Thunder saw the Nigerian-born forward net a first half hat-trick to have an instrumental say in the automatic promotion race.
Substitutes:
Lajos Oliveira (Springvale White Eagles)
Finally rewarded for a consistent season between the sticks at White Eagles Stadium with a maiden TOTM appearance. The 20 year-old is in his first full-season as the undisputed number one and had a tidy finish to his breakthrough campaign.
Nathan Fox (Brunswick City)
A second consecutive TOTM appearance for the former Green Gully full-back who has shown his versatility in recent times by also playing in the centre of the defence. Has improved over the course of the season and will be looking to take his form into next year.
Ben Osei-Safo (Box Hill United)
Tireless and full energy, the former Kingston winger has had a stop-start campaign at Wembley Park much like the rest of his teammates. Rounded the season off with two winning goals in the final two outings against Brunswick and Dandenong City.
Geoffry Lino (Murray United)
The South Sudanese-born forward came close to earning a TOTM spot earlier in the season but nudges out teammate Zac Walker to a bench spot after a fine finish to the season. Goals in fixtures against Whittlesea and Springvale and terrorised defenders throughout the last month.
Brandon Barnes (Dandenong Thunder)
The Englishman scored five to kick-start August against Bendigo City before hitting the woodwork against Werribee. Further strikes against Kingston and Springvale took his season tally to an extraordinary 42 goals in 26 league games.
Honourable mentions: Simo Jovanovic (Kingston City), Chris Droutsas (Eastern Lions) and John Pykett (Springvale White Eagles)