Formation (3-4-3)
GK: Frazer Siddall (Dandenong Thunder)
Dandenong Thunder were the only side to keep a clean sheet this round and their keeper played a massive role with his rock solid display. Whilst the Thunder’s goal may have lived a charmed life, with poor finishing and goal line clearances aplenty, it was undeniably the keepers inspired display that contributed most to his side escaping with three points.
CB: Steven Cudrig (Werribee City)
Fellow defender Ivica Praiz also had an impressive game, as the pair kept the knights defenders relatively quiet all night, but Cudrig gets the nod because of his impact on the game. His goal in the 85th minute, a well met header from a set piece, equalised proceedings before an even later penalty gifted his side three points.
CB: Petar Franjic (Hume City)
Not often is it that a centre-back from a losing side makes the Team of the Week but Hume City’s Petar Franjic fits into that camp. Hume lost 1-0, albeit to a good strike from range, which in truth was one of only a handful of real threats on their net. Franjic dealt with everything that came his way with minimal fuss, and did the best he could to ensure his side got a result out of the match.
CB: Paul Miller (Heidelberg United)
Despite his side conceding two goals, Paul Miller had a solid game at the back. He led the defence honourably throughout the contest and matched the majority of challenges that came his way.
LM: Mark McGough (Heidelberg United)
Whilst the Heidelberg midfielder didn’t play exclusively on the wing, he would’ve been hard pressed to miss selection this week. McGough played his hand mainly behind the strikers, whilst also drifting across the pitch, and was at the centre of everything good for his side. He scored a goal and was involved heavily in a front third that put six goals past Goulburn Valley.
CM: Alan Mulcahy (Dandenong Thunder)
The Dandenong captain had a fine game in the centre of midfield where his hard gut running and box-to-box effort was rewarded with what proved to be the match winner. His strike from distance was too powerful for the Hume keeper who palmed it into the net.
CM: Ryan Filipovic (Werribee City)
Filipovic, a centre-back by trade was played in a shielding role just in front of the Bee’s defence. His ability to stop attacks before they happened as well as contribute in the attacking half was a credit to him on the night. He also had the composure to slot a late penalty to win the game against his old side.
RM: Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
South’s Nick Epifano revelled in the free role given to him, wreaking havoc on both wings and just behind the striker. Setting up two goals for his teammates as well as going close himself, he had a fantastic game in a winning side.
ST: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
The third of three United players in this squad, Kaine Sheppard had a stellar game up front. Two goals, two well-taken ones at that, what more do you need?
ST: Milos Lulic (South Melbourne)
It took only 26 minutes for big man Milos Lujic to register his hat-trick against Green Gully, whilst putting the game to bed simultaneously. It wasn’t just his poaching ability that was impressive about his game, but it was also his work rate, closing down keeper Kieran Gonzalez to gift himself his second goal.
ST: Matthew Sanders (Green Gully)
Sanders took his tally to four goals from three matches after scoring a second brace for the season. It wasn’t enough for his side to beat a Milos Lujic led South Melbourne but his performance would have won him plenty of admirers.
Special thanks to Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_), Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) and Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev) for their assistance this week.
Graphic: Mick Alesich