While the nominations may have been fewer in number this week, the quality in which they adhered to was seemingly much higher as a number of standout performers – penned in for starting XI berths – were turned away, to settle for a spot on the bench. All five warming the pine on another week would be in our first team, as we give you one of the highest quality – player wise – Team of the Week’s we’ve had this year.
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GK: John Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Oakleigh have their custodian to thank, for essentially earning a 1-0 win with his heroics in goal against Green Gully. He made a string of fine saves, including diving efforts off a Rinor Muriqi free-kick, a Matthew Breeze low strike and a double save at the death to spare the blushes of his teammates. There was little he could do for the goal in the 1-1 draw with Hume City, while he also made a stellar diving save off Nick Hegarty in that game.
LB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
All three of Heidelberg’s centre-halves experienced a busy night, especially in the second half when Werribee came charging for an equaliser. They were kept on their toes to repel a number of quality deliveries into the area, but Pace was the standout of the three. He won nearly everything in the air and added drive from defence with a few purposeful runs. Was the left-most defender in the back three so he’ll squeeze in at left-back
CB: Adam Nakic (Pascoe Vale)
Port Melbourne enjoyed very little chances in their clash with Pascoe Vale, and that had plenty to do with their defensive structure. Tomi Milardovic alongside the best-on-ground Adam Nakic kept things tight, especially with Tom Black patrolling in front of the pair. Nakic put home a delightful volley to win the game also.
CB: Roddy Vargas (Green Gully)
Green Gully managed to tame the threat that Oakleigh posed quite well, forcing them into predominantly shooting from distance. One man in particular who ensured the Oakleigh forwards were accountable was Roddy Vargas who was smart and commanding in equal measures. It’s a shame the Gully clean sheet was spoilt via a free-kick.
RB: Daniel Chaabani (Hume City)
The complete right-back has made a stellar impression at Hume City on debut, as has most of their mid-season signings so far. The former Werribee and Victory youth team defender was matched up against the ever dangerous Goran Zoric in the midweek fixture, and kept his opponent quiet for the full 90 minutes. Hardly put a foot wrong and showed his vision on a number of occasions to launch perfectly weighted long balls over the opposing midfield.
CM: Iqi Jawadi (South Melbourne)
Found a way to stand out in a team full of standout performers. Jawadi gave another complete performance in the middle of the park for the full 90 minutes, working hard in the early stages to break down North Geelong to reap the rewards later on in the match. Found a goal scoring touch this year, netting his third of the season, which could just make him one of the most damaging midfielders in the league.
CM: Jeffrey Fleming (Avondale FC)
Put in a sumptuous shift in the middle of the park, marrying his solid defensive capabilities with some purposeful forward movement. His work-rate went a long way towards Avondale grabbing a point against former team Green Gully.
CM: Liam McCormick (Bentleigh Greens)
The box-to-box midfielder was full of energy throughout the game, constantly winning back possession and creating attacking opportunities for his teammates. Despite starting the season on the bench, he has excelled in the past month when given starting opportunities in place of the injured Wayne Wallace.
ST: Andrew Barisic (Melbourne Knights)
Barisic knocked home his first brace of the season as the Knights took care of a born again Northcote City. A goal at both the start and the end of the match ensured that the visitors were never in any real danger of giving up the match. His movement off the ball was paramount to his success in front of goals.
ST: Chris Lucas (Bentleigh Greens)
A brace and an assist – we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he meant his backheel pass for the opener – made it hard to ignore the Queenslander’s exploits in what was his best performance in a Greens shirt to date. The season-ending injury to Matt Thurtell is a blow for the only undefeated team in the league, but Lucas’ exploits moving into the central position should give the Bentleigh fans hope.
ST: Leigh Minopoulos (South Melbourne)
South Melbourne were missing a number of big name players for their match against North Geelong, and super-sub Leigh Minopoulos was afforded the freedom of a starting berth. He quickly showed what type of impact he can make with that much game time, scoring twice and assisting once in an all-round performance leading the lines.
Bench:
Ryan De Vries (Bentleigh Greens)
Integral in his side’s opener as his ball into the middle saw Lucas set up Holmes before turning provider once more in the second half as his cutback saw Lucas seal victory with his second of the night. The returning Kiwi was also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when brought down by Zeneli late on.
Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
While Andy Brennan was also decent on the other flank, it was Nick Epifano’s early influence on the match that sees him secure a position on the bench. One of the league’s premier wingers, Epifano broke the game open with a deflected shot for the opening goal. He then blew apart the contest in the second with three assists in quick time. Desperately unlucky not to be in the starting XI.
Lambros Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Oakleigh’s creative spark looked the most likely to conjure up a goal on Friday night, despite the eventual winner coming from a set-piece. He was the main focal point for the Cannons, and a lot of the team’s play came through him. Started on the bench in the mid-week catch up game, making a 10-minute cameo.
Nejc Kolman (Heidelberg United)
Kolman was superb in the engine room for Heidelberg and while he didn’t offer the same creativity from the deep that Jack Petrie did, he offered much more in terms of energy across the pitch. Made multiple interceptions to win possession and very rarely turned it over.
Paul Harvey (Hume City)
Two goals in two games marks a decent return for Harvey this week. The feat is even more impressive given it’s only his second week playing for the club. He has led the line well, providing a focal point for Hume City’s wide play. Has grown a reputation as an impact signing, given his exploits at relegated Ballarat Red Devils last year.