The Round 10 Team of the Week did present a few challenges, namely through a glut of nominations across the grounds for forwards and wingers, leaving a few shortages in other positions. Nonetheless, the week’s most represented side was Dandenong Thunder, whose 6-1 scoreline over Northcote sees three of their players make the cut.
GK: Chris May (Melbourne Knights)
The Knights can thank the efforts of their custodian, who played his part on the day with a number of fine saves to keep the score deadlocked until deep into the second half, with the two most prominent saves coming about to deny Heffernan’s and Kolman’s strikes.
RB: Luke Adams (South Melbourne)
With all due respect to Tim Mala, we’ve had to shift South centre-back Luke Adams into the right-back role in the Team of the Week to accommodate the imbalance of nominations. The young Kiwi was again solid at the back and made penetrating passes forward to get play rolling. A clean sheet was just reward for his performance.
CB: Jack Webster (Bentleigh Greens)
A commanding performance at the back from Webster who stood in as captain in the absence of Wayne Wallace. His partnership with Topalovic has become one of the most solid in the league as the Greens recorded their third straight league clean sheet.
CB: Michele Crazia (Avondale FC)
A boss in defence, despite his side copping two goals. Crazia was like a wall, blocking anything that came his way via Werribee attacks. Almost launched the ball to seal victory, though Khrapko missed his opportunity.
LB: Jake Halliday (Pascoe Vale)
Singled out again for his performance at the back, Halliday performed his defensive duties with aplomb, keeping his wing mostly quiet and doing his utmost to keep South from scoring more goals.
LM: Yusuf Ahmed (Dandenong Thunder)
Yusef Ahmed is fast proving to be the sensation of the season with a double on the night taking his season tally to 6. He tapped home before the break, following it up with a fantastic individual finish in the second to make it a memorable night for the birthday boy, who turned 18 the next day.
CM: Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh Greens)
The attacking midfielder was back to his best on Friday night in Bentleigh’s 2-0 win over the Sharks. He was instrumental in the Greens’ forward movement, playing his part in the crucial second goal for McCormick with a sublime one-two with the substitute, who made it 2-0 and seal all three points.
RM: Jarod Blackburn (Dandenong Thunder)
In only his second appearance for the season, the Rowville Academy graduate starred with a superb hat-trick, highlighted by two world-class volleys, the second of which he had to adjust his body before acrobatically putting it into the back of the net.
RF: Goran Zoric (Oakleigh Cannons)
Performed admirably in Arthur Papas’ first competitive fixture since replacing the departed Miron Bleiberg. Kept North Geelong’s backline busy, dangerous whenever he would get the ball in attack, and scored the all important second goal with a nice finish past Daniel Zilic.
CF: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
One of the form strikers of the competition at the moment, Sheppard scored Heidelberg’s second winner in a row with a clinical header from a pinpoint cross. Was busy all day up front alongside Dan Heffernan, whilst was also denied another goal by the woodwork.
LF: Jai Ingham (Hume City)
Another forced Team of the Week positional shift, Ingham exploited the right side brilliantly and was on top of his fullback all game. Created numerous goalscoring opportunities that on another day would have extended the hosts’ lead far beyond the solitary goal.
Bench:
Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
Unlucky not to make the initial XI, Lujic consolidated his spot at the top of the goalscoring charts with South’s winner over Pascoe Vale, scoring a delightful finish into the bottom left corner. Almost had a second if not for a header that hit the woodwork.
Luke Byles (Heidelberg United)
Whilst Heidelberg weathered some early Knights’ chances and escaped unscathed, for the majority of the contest the Bergers thrived defensively, led by none other than captain Byles, who was solid and commanding throughout the 90 minutes.
Chris Cristaldo (Werribee City)
Despite Werribee being second best for the majority of the contest, Cristaldo was one of their shining lights up front – and has been most season. Scored an important equaliser from the spot, hit the post another time, and made a number of dangerous, darting runs forward throughout the game.
Ivan Pavlak (Hume City)
Much like Ingham, Pavlak exploited any space afforded to him on his wing, successfully taking on defenders and playing in dangerous deliveries into the box. All that was missing was the decisive final ball.
Michael Gerace (Dandenong Thunder)
Although Gerace did not find himself on the scoresheet, he was instrumental with everything Thunder did well up front, including a couple of assists in a fantastic attacking display from the former Kingston and Box Hill United man.
Jake McLean (Oakleigh Cannons)
McLean was the architect, the master general in the heart of the midfield, involved in everything and commanding every forward thrust with confidence and conviction, including the all important first assist to Clarke.