Considering all the midweek catch-up games from the split Round 3 played this week – along with our generous nature – we’ve squeezed in a couple more players on bench, accommodating more spots for the extra three fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday. You know it makes sense.
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GK: Frano Saric (Werribee City)
A draw for Werribee against Hume City was no easy feat, and part of this result was down to some crucial interventions from the custodian towards the end of the contest. Had it not been for Saric’s saves, Werribee would most likely have suffered another heartbreaking defeat.
RB: Julien Cannizaro (Avondale FC)
After a long and cagey contest against Pascoe Vale, it was Cannizaro that stepped up and bombed forward to deliver the decisive ball that Jason Principato put away. His attacking contribution was backed up defensively, helping Avondale to a hard-fought midweek win with a clean sheet to boot.
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
Pace cleaned up plenty of Northcote attacks, making good interceptions and reading the play with relative ease, especially at times when Northcote looked like mounting a comeback in both halves. A top performance by the veteran. Now read the above and repeat for the Port Melbourne game, with yes, Pace earning a double spot for his performances over both games.
CB: Steven Topalovic (Bentleigh Greens)
A commanding performance at the back from the 24-year-old saw him and defensive partner Webster have little trouble against the Knights’ attacking trio, who were mostly subdued for the night. A deserved clean sheet for his efforts in the heart of Bentleigh’s defence.
LB: Les Doumbalis (Heidelberg United)
He may not have run the whole game out against Northcote, but when he was on the pitch and playing, Doumbalis executed his wing-back role with aplomb, astute both in defence and going forward. Scored a cracking goal in the opening minutes to send the Bergers on their way to victory.
CM: Alan Kearney (Port Melbourne)
Kearney was involved in almost everything good Port Melbourne did against North Geelong from the get-go. Some of his key involvements included providing the ball for Oppermann’s goal, whilst also scoring from the spot, capping off a top performance.
CM: Tomislav Milardovic (Pascoe Vale)
You could honestly fit most of the Paco side that played Dandenong in here, but Milardovic was the match reporter’s pick, described as having a ‘blinder’. Was busy in the middle all night, helping dictate play and keeping the play on Paco’s terms. Was responsible for the goal that eventually landed to Davey van’t Schip.
CAM: Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh Greens)
Holmes backed up his recent good performances with two goals of his own, after a few weeks of being the chief assister. His first strike was an immaculate volley from a corner, while his second was a fantastic finish to double the Greens’ lead in the second half and effectively put the win out of the Knights’ reach.
ST: Milos Lujic (South Melbourne)
It’s a welcome return to the Team of the Week for Lujic, who scored a brace against Green Gully. He made the most of Milovanovic’s good build-up work to beat Kieran Gonzales to open the scoring, while the sealer was a much simpler affair, tapping home Andy Brennan’s pass after the latter pounced on a goalkeeping error.
ST: Trent Rixon (Port Melbourne)
The weekend game’s standout performer. Rixon was a menace against North Geelong, scoring two first-half goals – doubling his season goalscoring tally in the process – and dominating the Warriors’ defence throughout the contest.
ST: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
Staring in the face of another defeat – this time against Avondale FC – the Cannons needed a hero and Dusan Bosnjak stepped up just in the nick of time to score a crucial brace. Held his nerve to score Oakleigh’s first goal of the season from the spot just before the 90th minute, before nabbing the crucial winner in added time.
Bench:
Liam Boland (Oakleigh Cannons)
In a real case of deja vu, staring in the face of another defeat – this time against Melbourne Knights – the Cannons needed a hero and substitute Liam Boland stepped up just in the nick of time to score a crucial brace. Two headed goals did the trick to claw back the deficit for Oakleigh.
Dane Milovanovic (South Melbourne)
Voted in as South Melbourne’s best on ground against Green Gully, Milovanovic impressed in his first start for the club, putting in a tireless shift in the heart of midfield. Played the inch perfect delivery for Lujic to head home in the 75th minute to break the deadlock.
Isyan Erdogan (Hume City)
Erdogan was noted for his passing, marking, coverage, experience and calm under pressure against Werribee. And for his goal, which was mostly down to his intelligent reading of the play and pressure on the Bees’ defence.
Jake Halliday (Pascoe Vale)
Singled out for praise by Pascoe Vale’s social media account for his performance against Dandenong, Halliday put in a tireless shift up and down the flank, racking up key passes all night in the process.
Davey van’t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
Another player to catch the eye in a fruitful night for Paco against Dandenong Thunder, van’t Schip was a threat all night along the front third, grabbing his first goal of the season after Milardovic’s effort was spilt by the ‘keeper.
Jeff Fleming (Avondale FC)
The experienced head was a standout in the middle of the park against Oakleigh, winning most 50/50 contests that came his way and seemed to keep performing even during the lower tempo periods of play. The veteran then backed it up and did it all again against Pascoe Vale.
Chris Lucas (Bentleigh Greens)
The diminutive winger has been slowly working towards reaching the form that won him many accolades in Queensland. With the Knights pushing higher to try force a comeback, Lucas went on one of his trademark lung-busting bursts in behind the defence to score a powerful finish and put the game beyond doubt.
Jamie Cummings (Heidelberg United)
With two clean sheets in two games this week, it’s no wonder three Heidelberg defenders feature in the Team of the Week. Cummings performed nobly in both contests, maintaining a high defensive standard. Got forward as well, and almost had a top assist against Northcote when Kaine Sheppard volleyed his cross into the woodwork.