GK: Chris May (Melbourne Knights):
A brilliant start to the season for the Knights custodian with consecutive appearances in our Team of the Week. May earned a clean sheet in the Knights 2-0 victory over Pascoe Vale with a fantastic performance between the sticks, pulling off a series of heroic saves.
RB: Brendan Elmazovski (Dundenong Thunder):
Elmazovski was relentless in defence of Thunder’s right flank, repeatedly shutting down Osagie Ederaro who ran riot over Werribee City in Round One. The full-back won almost a dozen challenges in a standout defensive display as his side held on with 10 men to scrape a 1-0 win.
CB: Steve Cudrig (Werribee City):
The centre-back had a good day in the heart of the defence for Werribee, keeping Hume’s attackers relatively quiet for majority of the contest. The defender also popped up and scored the winner, helping his side come back from a goal down to claim the points.
CB: Antun Kovacic (Melbourne Knights):
One of the three Melbourne Knights players in this week’s best eleven. The centre half strung together a sturdy performance on Friday night, putting in some vital blocks and challenges whilst maintaining a clean sheet.
LB: Les Doumbalis (Heidelberg United):
A standout out performance for the full-back against Oakleigh on Friday night. With Heidelberg dominating the first half, Doumbalis was able to surge forward and whip in some dangerous balls. The defender also had good day at the back, holding his own in defence whilst showing his composure when his side were under pressure.
RM: Dom Swinton (Ballarat Red Devils):
An emphatic game was matched by an emphatic performance by the winger. Swinton put together an absolutely dominant display on the Red Devils right flank netting his first after three minutes and completing his brace in the second interval.
CM: Matt Millar (Dandenong Thunder):
The 17 year-old put in a man of the match performance against Green Gully on Saturday night. Forced into the midfield when Dandenong lost a man after 37 minutes, the full-back by trade covered acres of space, running like a man possessed. The youngster also scored the winner for Thunder, dancing passed two defenders after a scintillating solo run from halfway.
CM: Jacob Colosimo (Melbourne Knights):
Continuing his red hot start to the season after scoring two goals in last week’s Docherty Cup fixtures, Colosimo netted another brace against Pascoe Vale on Friday night. Sitting in the number ten position, Colosimo bagged his first from the spot before putting the game well beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
LM: Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne):
The former Melbourne Heart player was one of Port’s best against South on Friday night. Constantly lively on the ball and toiling away, the winger put it a solid shift for the hosts whilst netting his sides second.
ST: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons):
The hero of Friday nights dramatic contest, Bosjnak was instrumental in helping his side come from a goal down to claim victory against Heidelberg. Deployed into a more attacking role when Nate Foster was withdrawn from proceedings at half-time, the former Melbourne Heart youth captain scored his first in the 71st minute before sealing the contest with a stunning 94th minute free kick.
ST: Leigh Minopoulos (South Melbourne):
Scoring a brace off the bench, the super-sub clinched the points for South Melbourne, finding the back of the net twice in the last ten minutes to snatch victory from the hands of Port Melbourne.
Special thanks to Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_), Bill Molloy (@Bill_Molloy94), Julian Trantino (@jtrantino16), Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) for their contributions.
Graphics: Mick Alesich – website: www.alesich.com