Sydney’s big wet may have meant there were only four games in the Hyundai A-League in Round 18 but it was still raining goals on a thrilling weekend of action.
It all started on Friday night as Melbourne City beat bitter rivals Melbourne Victory in the derby, before Perth Glory stretched their unbeaten run to nine games with a 4-2 win over Wellington Phoenix.
Brisbane Roar moved into the top six as they edged past Adelaide United before the round ended on Sunday as Newcastle Jets won a seven-goal thriller in the F3 Derby against Central Coast Mariners.
With 19 goals and so many eye-catching performances, see how made our Round 18 Team of the Week.
Read on to find out who made it in our 3-4-3 formation.
PREVIEW: E-League 2020 Match Day 1
Goalkeeper
Jamie Young (Brisbane Roar)
The Roar custodian is no stranger to the Team of the Week and he makes the XI again with another outstanding display against the Reds.
There was nothing Young could do to keep out Ben Halloran’s clinical strike, while he made four vital stops throughout the 90 minutes as Roar held on for a valuable 2-1 win in front of their home fans.
Defenders
Scott Jamieson (Melbourne City)
The City skipper was back from suspension and proved his value to Erick Mombaerts’ side with a lead-from-the-back performance in the Melbourne Derby.
With his side putting a premium on defensive discipline, Jamieson’s forward runs were tempered but he more than made up for it by winning three tackles and eight of 11 duels, in addition to three clearances.
His toughness – both mentally and physically – was exemplified after taking a number of heavy knocks in the game but still inspiring his side until the full time whistle.
CITY REACTION: ‘It wasn’t about being pretty’ – Jamieson prizes Derby points over style
Tom Aldred (Brisbane Roar)
Aldred always lets his actions do the talking and the Roar skipper was at his dominant best on Saturday night against the Reds.
The English defender was instrumental in limiting the visitors to few genuine goal-scoring opportunities before having the final say on proceedings with a towering header at the far post to put Roar in front.
Talk about the perfect time to score your first Hyundai A-League goal as the three points took Robbie Fowler’s side into the top six.
REPORT: Aldred the unlikely hero in Roar comeback win
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130734915001
Bobby Burns (Newcastle Jets)
Playing in a left wing-back role, Burns was a constant threat for the Jets with an energetic display.
His delivery from out wide was exceptional throughout the match and it came to the fore as his corner kick directly led to the decisive fourth goal of the match, despite it being headed in by a Mariners defender.
The only thing missing was a goal but you couldn’t fault his endeavour on that front with only desperate Mariners defending denying his two shots throughout the 90 minutes.
F3 DERBY REACTION: ‘Better teams will punish us’ – Burns not content with Jets’ Derby win
Midfielders
Florin Berenguer (Melbourne City)
It had been 26 games before Round 18 without a goal for the Frenchman in the Hyundai A-League, but the wait was worth it as he found the back of the net in his side’s Melbourne Derby triumph.
Berenguer struck just eight minutes into the contest at AAMI Park with a composed strike into the bottom corner to lay the foundation for City’s win, but as good as that was his back heel for Jamie Maclaren to net his side’s second was just as crucial in the 2-1 win.
He was also plenty busy off the ball in midfield – winning two of three tackles and seven of 12 duels in addition to notching four interceptions to see off the Victory in the high-pressure derby setting.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130353074001
Josh Brillante (Melbourne City)
Derbies always produce a headline grabbing hero – and so it was on Friday night in Melbourne – but often it is an unsung workhorse like Brillante that makes the difference.
With his side’s defensive stocks depleted through suspension and injury, Brillante played a deeper role and toiled tirelessly to help deliver Erick Mombaerts’ side their first win over the Victory since 2018.
He led his side’s returns in both touches (83) and passes (77) with the ball at his feet, while also winning six of 12 duels and contributing four clearances in his 90 minutes.
MORE: Mombaerts reveals masterplan behind maiden Melbourne Derby triumph
Cameron Devlin (Wellington Phoenix)
Ufuk Talay felt Phoenix were hard done by in Friday’s 4-2 defeat to Perth and Cameron Devlin certainly did not deserve to be on the losing side.
It was another sensational performance from the campaign’s standout young player, who may have switched off slightly in the build up for Nick D’Agostino’s first goal but otherwise was nearly faultless.
Over 100 passes (93.1% accuracy) for the second time this season, an assist for Gary Hooper’s second, and another bustling, all-action display from a midfielder who is surely undroppable now.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130393684001
Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets)
The Jets attacker was back to his best for the Hunter club, delivering a match-winning brace in his side’s return to winning ways in the F3 Derby.
Both finishes were top shelf and timely from the 27-year-old as he became just the third player to pass the 20 goals mark for the Jets in the Hyundai A-League.
He opened his account with a first-time effort on the turn early in the contest, before restoring his side’s lead with another firm hit shortly after the Mariners levelled early in the second half.
REPORT: Dimi at the double as Jets storm to Derby win in seven-goal thriller
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130927068001
Forwards
Scott McDonald (Brisbane Roar)
He may not have got on the scoresheet but McDonald was highly influential in Roar’s come-from-behind win over the Reds.
The former Socceroos attacker was involved in both of his side’s goals and his four chances created was the most of any player in the match.
It’s no coincidence Roar’s best form of the campaign has come with McDonald joining the club from Hyundai A-League rivals Western United FC.
ROAR REACTION: Fowler outlines McDonald’s impact on rising Roar’s form
Gary Hooper (Wellington Phoenix)
Having started among the substitutes for Phoenix’s trip to WA, Hooper was very nearly the catalyst for an improbable comeback.
The Englishman needed 12 minutes to hand Wellington a lifeline on 68 minutes by heading home an easy chance, and his second goal was a quality turn and finish past Liam Reddy to set up a nervy finish.
After a slow start to life in the New Zealand capital, that strike demonstrated the former Premier League man adds a completely new element to Talay’s attack. If he kicks on from this excellent outing in Perth, Hooper has the potential to fire Wellington toward silverware.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130388973001
Nick D’Agostino (Perth Glory)
The Australian U-23 hero has had to bide his time but has well and truly taken the chance offered two him by Glory boss Tony Popovic.
D’Agostino – Perth’s saviour in their 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory last time out – gave the hosts a comfortable two-goal buffer with a neat finish in first half stoppage time before nodding in a second to put Glory 3-0 up early in the second.
He is very much the man in form in a front line containing one of the Hyundai A-League’s all-time strikers, Bruno Fornaroli, as six shots on goal to the Uruguayan’s two suggests.
REPORT: D’Agostino double helps Perth go nine unbeaten
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6130380935001
