Graphic: Alesich Design
After four rounds, the NPL2 East has seen a shock team burst out of the blocks, with a Vlado Tortevski led Springvale White Eagles going undefeated in the month of February. The only other team still yet to be beaten is Box Hill United, but they sit in eighth having netted just one goal for the season from their four draws. Nunawading City and their new additions have shone as they’ve made their best start to an NPL season in fifth, with Dandenong City, Dandenong Thunder and Melbourne City making up a familiar looking top four.
GK: Lajos Oliveira (Springvale White Eagles)
The 20 year-old goalkeeper has been in the form of his young career and produced a man-of-the-match performance in the White Eagles triumph over Dandenong Thunder as well as making telling saves against both Richmond and Dandenong City.
RB: Enes Sivic (Dandenong City)
Hajduk’s campaign might have commenced in the worst possible way but their 25 year-old right-back has performed admirably since, netting a goal against former club Richmond as well as collecting a couple of assists in a solid month for the versatile defender.
CB: Thomas Lakic (Box Hill United)
The 20 year-old has continued his good late-season form from last season by excelling in the heart of United’s defence early on this term. Three successive clean sheets preceded the former Oakleigh defender netting Pythagoras’ first goal of the campaign from the spot.
CB: Geordie Lelliott (Goulburn Valley Suns)
The teenager’s promotion into the first team has coincided with a much more stable and solid Suns backline having missed the club opening 4-3 loss to Springvale. Goulburn have conceded just twice in 270 minutes since his inclusion into the starting eleven.
LB: Jeremy Min Fa (Springvale White Eagles)
Enhancing his reputation as one of the second tier’s best full-backs, the 22 year-old has featured at left-back for much of February having played right-back last term. Rarely beaten by his direct opponents, his work rate has been exceptional.
RCM: Cody Martindale (Springvale White Eagles)
Has provided plenty of energy, drive and commitment in the centre of the park for the flying White Eagles following his off-season move from Northcote. A goal and an assist against Thunder the highlight of his superb month for the 21 year-old.
LCM: Josh Bragg (Dandenong Thunder)
Technically gifted, the 25-year-old made an immediate impact to life at Thunder by grabbing an assist on debut and has impressed in the weeks since. Unlucky not to score against Springvale, the Englishman has also combined well with Brandon Barnes since joining.
RW: James Kelly (Dandenong City)
While much has been expected form City’s big-name off-season recruits, 22 year-old midfielder-turned forward Kelly has stepped up in an inconsistent month for Stuart Munro’s side. Four goals in as many matches is an impressive start to this life at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.
AM: James Brown (Nunawading City)
With plenty of pedigree to his name, the 27 year-old has been a class above the rest in several of Nunawading fixtures this term. Two goals and two assists from four outings has shown his quality for Nick Dimitrakis’ vastly improved outfit.
LW: Vojo Milojevic (Springvale White Eagles)
The speedy 21-year-old has already equalled his goal haul from 2016 in February after scoring a double and securing an assist in the opening round win over Goulburn before ending it by netting the crucial equaliser against Dandenong City.
CF: Brandon Barnes (Dandenong Thunder)
The third Englishman in the starting eleven began the season in style having scored a spectacular hat-trick on the opening night of the season. Unlucky not to score against Springvale, he returned to his ways with the opener against Nunawading as well as celebrating his 24th birthday.
Bench:
Keegan Coulter (Box Hill United)
Three clean sheets from four, a penalty save and several other notable contributions would normally see the 22 year-old cement his place in the starting line-up had it not been for the form of his fellow Mazenod alumni Oliveira.
Simon Colosimo (Dandenong Thunder)
The former Socceroo might have turned 38 in the New Year but is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to marshal the Dandenong Thunder backline alongside fellow 38 year-old and ex-A-League Champion Rodrigo Vargas
Ali Eyigun (Melbourne City)
More accustomed in the centre of the park, the 19-year-old has been moved to the centre of defence where he has been City’s best performer in the opening month of action. Has scored twice in that time and looks to be maturing as club captain under Joe Palatsides.
Jason Trifiro (Nunawading City)
The 28-year-old missed Nuna’s 5-2 triumph over Richmond due to family commitments but has looked a class above in their three other games and was unlucky not to open his account in the 1-1 draw against Eastern Lions having hit the woodwork from range.
Gerrie Sylaidos (Melbourne City)
The 17 year-old has been on the fringes of the first-team lately having been invited to train with the senior squad last pre-season. His performances in NPL show why with the energetic winger scoring twice already this campaign.
Mitch Cooper (Nunawading City)
The third of City’s former A-League contingent was also unlucky not to have netted on his league debut for the club but followed it up with a goal on his home debut the following round. Produced a masterclass alongside Brown last week, scoring and adding an assist.
William Ellis (Eastern Lions)
Easily the Lions most dangerous attacking outlet in the early rounds of the campaign, the 21 year-old scored and won a penalty in their only victory of the season – a 2-0 win over Murray – and has proved energetic throughout the opening rounds.