Jackson Fanning selects the standout individuals from the latest round of A-League action for our matchday six team of the week
Andrew Redmayne – Goalkeeper – Western Sydney Wanderers
Not an obvious standout for goalkeeper this week, but Redmayne just edges out Mark Birighitti on the basis of an emotionally charged clean sheet against his former club. He was subject to some off-field sledging and his nerves showed early as he almost gifted Harry Novillo a goal, but made some clinical saves with the game still in the balance and settled nicely. The clean sheet was his second of the season.
Rhyan Grant – Right-Back – Sydney FC
Spoiler alert – both Sydney FC full-backs make the team sheet despite being on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline in the Big Blue. Grant was one of the standouts for the Sky Blues, particularly the first half where he was able to press high, put Dylan Murnane under immense pressure and win the ball a number of times in dangerous positions.
Leigh Broxham – Centre-Back – Melbourne Victory
Versatility was the name of the game this week and Broxham was immense for his side in their Big Blue win. The stand-in captain started in his preferred central midfield role before being shuffled to centre-half in Kevin Muscat’s half time reshuffle and was crucial to resisting Sydney’s onslaught in the second half. He made several key blocks, but more importantly provided stability and assurance where Mattieu Delpierre and Thomas Deng had failed to in the first half.
Nick Montgomery – Centre-Back – Central Coast Mariners
Another traditional number six that was forced to play the team game this week. The Mariners captain was sent into the back line after Jake McGing’s red card and completely shut down the Jets attack despite the man advantage. In fact, he and partner Jacob Poscoliero provided the foundation for any hope of a result in the F3 Derby.
Alex Gersbach – Left-Back – Sydney FC
A-League fans have been calling for his inclusion into the starting XI for weeks now and on Saturday we all saw why. The 18-year-old was Sydney’s best player and asked questions down the left-side all night. His dribble to set up teammate Filip Holosko early in the contest, despite a touch of luck, was first-class and was rewarded for his attacking intent.
Michael Thwaite – Defensive-Midfield – Perth Glory
No, you are not reading wrong – that is three captains playing out of position and still making the team. Although Thwaite started in his normal centre-half position he had a bigger impact in the second half after Kenny Lowe pushed him forward into the midfield. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get the Glory over the line but that should not diminish his effort and leadership, as he gave his team the spark they needed.
Corona – Attacking-Midfielder – Brisbane Roar
Looking like the find of the season for newly-appointed coach John Aloisi. Looks more comfortable in the A-League every week and one of the reasons the Brisbane Roar find themselves two points clear of the rest of the pack. The Spaniard’s technical ability, vision and passing is sensational and if he can develop a partnership with fellow import Thomas Broich then there should be no question marks over their premiership or championship contention.
Mitch Nichols – Attacking-Midfielder – Western Sydney Wanderers
Possibly his best game in a Wanderers jersey, he appears to be enjoying the new possession-based style of play coach Tony Popovic’s side has undertaken this season. Nichols scored his third goal of the campaign but it is his developing partnership with fellow Socceroo recruit Dario Vidosic that will please fans as they look to return the Wanderers back to the heights of their opening seasons.
Roly Bonevacia – Right-Wing – Wellington Phoenix
Probably the performance of this matchday, every time he received the ball he looked dangerous and threatened. The 24-year-old had two goals in the game, including a thunderous strike from 25 yards that sailed into the top-left corner, but would have been in the team even if it had not. The former Ajax product is as good as anyone in the league on his day and terrorised an underperforming Adelaide back line to no end with his ability isolate and beat defenders. If he is able to attain any level of consistency, watch out.
Besart Berisha – Striker – Melbourne Victory
We will say it again – the big Albanian just loves the big games – a Big Blue brace in a man of the match performance showed why he has long been the benchmark for forwards in the competition. His first goal showcased his strength and explosiveness, the second, his movement and precision. Although it was his all-round effort that impressed on the night, not just doing the dirty work with his hold-up play but also tracking back and defending from the front on a number of occasions.
Roy Krishna – Left Wing – Wellington Phoenix
Putting him on the wing might be cheating a little, but the Fijian international deserved to find a spot in this team of the week. Krishna added his third goal and second assist of the campaign in their 4-2 win over Adelaide United, but more importantly seems to have found the level of consistency that had eluded him in past seasons. It seemed really important that the Nix put on a show in front of a bumper crowd after the recent dilemmas regarding their involvement in the competition, but Krishna and Bonevacia certainly obliged with incredible link-up play on multiple occasions.
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