Filling the void: the stats behind Galloway’s magnificent form in Atkinson’s absence

Melbourne City defender Scott Galloway’s brilliant individual form has ensured his league-leading side avoided potential disaster when first choice right-back Nathaniel Atkinson suffered a season-ending injury in early April.

Atkinson went down with a high-grade hamstring tear in City’s 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Matchweek 15, putting a premature end to the 21-year-old’s sparkling A-League campaign in which he was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year in March.

It was Atkinson’s ninth consecutive start at right-back for Patrick Kisnorbo’s side, and the young defender was a key contributor to a club-record winning streak of six games notched along his run in the starting lineup.

Atkinson’s impact on the right flank seemed irreplaceable as City stormed into outright favouritism for the Premiers Plate, until the hamstrung City ace was stopped in his tracks. Kisnorbo called on Galloway to fill the void and the 26-year-old hasn’t looked back, putting together a terrific run of individual performances to mitigate the damage.

Galloway scored his first goal of the campaign in a 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday, May 9. It was the eighth time Galloway has played 90 minutes for his side to date this season – the same number Atkinson had accrued before succumbing to injury.

The stats put up by the pair of full-backs throughout their respective 90-minute shifts throughout the 2020/21 campaign show Galloway has fit seamlessly into Atkinson’s role since being thrust into Kisnorbo’s best 11.

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Atkinson and Galloway were interchanged in Kisnorbo’s starting lineup early doors before the City boss gave both City full-backs their respective runs in the side. Galloway made three starts between Matchweek 4-6 (W1,L2) before suffering an early injury 38 minutes into a 3-2 loss to Central Coast Mariners, to be replaced by Atkinson.

Atkinson went on to notch his first full 90-minute display in his side’s next game – a 1-0 loss to Newcastle – which preceded the club-record winning streak set across the next six games, in which Atkinson starred.

He would go on to feature in his side’s loss to Western United in Matchweek 15, followed by the Phoenix clash in which Atkinson’s terrific season came to a startling halt due to a hamstring tear suffered in the 21st minute of play.

This time it was Galloway’s turn to replace the injured Atkinson in the side. Galloway was substituted on for the remainder of the 2-1 win and City haven’t lost since on a seven-game run garnering two draws and five wins.

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Speaking after Galloway played an important part in City’s 3-2 win over Brisbane in Matchweek 20, City assistant coach Des Buckhingham said Galloway is reaping the rewards of the hard work he put in behind the scenes to be ready once his opportunity came.

“He’s been very patient, and taken his chance,” Buckingham said.

“He’s really starting to develop that final side to his game, which is important to us as a full-back is in the final third.

“He’s contributed heavily both towards the two goals in Perth the other night for Jamie Maclaren, and of course the winner this evening.

“It’s important from our full-backs that they get into those areas firstly, and he’s reaping the rewards for doing that.

“It’s been a lot of hard work from Scotty. Then it’s about making sure the players around those areas are in the areas we need to be to take advantage of (his efforts).”

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